Everyone knows the iconic look of a border collie. Thanks to the breed’s appearance in many beloved films, the collie has become visual shorthand for “a very smart dog”. Here are ten fun facts about the breed you might not have known!
Smartest Dogs of All
Biologists and dog owners alike agree that collies are among the smartest of all dog breeds. They learn commands up to five times faster than other dogs and can even get tricks right on the first try thanks to their sharp intellect.
Sheep Dogs
Border collies were bred to herd sheep. Like many athletic, intelligent dogs, they’ve got a natural talent for looking after other animals. Many of the collies’ best features, including its sharp wits and strong body, can be traced back to its breeding as a sheep dog.
Eagle-Eyed
Collies have extremely sharp vision and can spot movement very easily. This trait was prized by shepherds who kept them around to corral their sheep into pens. After all, what sheep could possibly ignore a command from a border collie if it turns that steely glare at them?
Famous Breed
Border collies are prized by many celebrities. Athletes like Tiger Woods, actors like Michael Keaton, and royalty like Queen Elizabeth have all kept border collies at one point or another. It’s easy to see why: they’re sharp, beautiful dogs with a lot of personality.
Scottish Origins
Did you know the border collie originated from Scotland? In fact, the hint is in the name. The term “border” here refers to the rugged border region between England and Scotland. Likewise, “collie” in the Scottish term for a sheepdog.
Silver Screen
Since they’re so smart and easy to train, border collies have appeared in numerous films and TV shows. Several collies appear in the films Babe, Animal Farm, and Snow Dogs, among others. They’re apparently much easier to work with than some dog breeds!
Natural Athlete
Owing to their origins as sheepdogs, collies are naturally gifted athletes. They love getting tons of exercise and can keep up with even the most active owners. In fact, it’s best to not get a collie unless you plan on giving them plenty of time outside!
World Records
Perhaps due to their intelligence, collies are also world record holders. In 2021, two collies broke the record for the most tricks performed in one minute. As part of this record-setting spree, one of the collies (named Wish) set a record for the fastest five-meter crawl. He managed to cover that distance in two seconds!
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Great with Kids
Like many sheepdogs, collies are great with kids. They’re adept at “herding” little ones into safe areas, keeping an eye out for danger, and keeping the youngsters calm. This all makes them great family dogs! If collies were any smarter, you could ask them to babysit for you.
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Rescue Operations
Collies have also been involved in life-saving rescue operations. Since they’re so smart and have that trademark keen sense of smell shared by all dogs, they can be invaluable in finding victims of natural disasters. By combining their training and their sharp senses, collies have saved lives on numerous occasions.
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