A colossal number of border collies have set tails, but also tongues, wagging north of Adelaide, creating what their owners say is a world record in the process.

At last count, 576 of the cuddly canines crammed their way into a photo on Willaston Oval, near Gawler, as part of a fundraiser for animal charities.

While the record is unofficial, organisers said it was the biggest group of border collies ever gathered in a single shot without being restrained by their owners.

The previous record of 503, at an event organised by TV vet Dr Katrina Warren, was set in 2013.

The Willaston gathering was the brainchild of the Border Collie Owners of South Australia group.

The group said the tally was unofficial because record keeper Guinness did not acknowledge benchmarks relating to specific breeds.

But that did not muzzle the enthusiasm of those in attendance.

The event was also a hit on social media, drawing praise from collie lovers far and wide.

“That’s a lot of dogs,” one Facebook user remarked.

“Could you imagine if someone threw a ball in the middle there?”

Another said it was a “great day for dog owners” and a “privilege to be involved”.

“Such a fabulous day, even the wind couldn’t stop the count!”

In a fitting gesture ahead of the upcoming AFL Grand Final, one was decked out in an Adelaide Crows guernsey.

-ABC