10 fun facts about the beloved Border Collie

Fallen head over paws for the Border Collie? We get it. From their winning personalities to their bright-eyed and bushy-tailed exteriors, there's literally so much to love about these loyal, noble steeds. But did you know they are also loved by royalty and the rich and famous? Or what about the fact that these overachieving canines have broken endless world records?

Whether you’ve just welcomed home your own Border Collie puppy or you're looking to brush up on the breed, here we bring you 10 lesser-known (but seriously cool) Border Collie facts, that are sure to blow the minds of even the most hardcore of Collie fans...

10 fun facts about Border Collies 

Brush up on your pet trivia and impress your pals with these lesser-known Border Collie facts.

1. They’re one of the most intelligent dog breeds

So, how smart are Border Collies, really? Actually, the smartest! According to Dr. Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs, Border Collies are the smartest dog breed around, on account of their 10/10 ability to pick up commands and learn new tricks quickly and efficiently. Because of their big, bulging brains, they excel as working dogs, in search and rescue roles, not to mention they reign supreme when it comes to competitions and dog shows, from agility to best in show. Basically, they’re the Einsteins of the doggy universe. 

2. They’re (multiple) record breakers 

It’s not just in their 9-5 that these pups excel - they’ve broken multiple records in the Guinness Book of World Records. In 2018, one Collie mix named Geronimo broke the Guinness world record for the most double Dutch rope skipping by a dog in one minute. Another, Leonard Lee, broke the record for the most basketball slam dunks in one minute by a dog (FYI - it was 18!). 

In a slightly more bizarre claim to fame, one Collie mix named Sweet Pea broke the record for the fastest 100m with a can balanced on the head of a dog - which she did in an impressive 2 minutes and 55 seconds. What can we say? They’re a breed of many talents.

3. They’re loved by many - including royalty

Yes, Border Collies make the best family pets - but they’re also popular with royalty, brushing (furry) shoulders with the likes of none other than Queen Victoria. In the late 19th century, Queen Victoria spotted a Border Collie dog and (understandably) fell head over heels in love with the breed. Queen Victoria had many canine companions during her reign, including Sharp - her beloved Border Collie. This prestigious pupper even featured in artworks and paintings alongside his (very) regal human! 

4. …and the rich and famous

As well as royal monarchs, Border Collies have been loved by many a famous pet parent, including Bon Jovi, James Dean, James Franco, and Tiger Woods - to name a few! Not to mention, they're no strangers to the big screen - Collies have appeared in a number of famous movies and TV shows, including Little House on The Prairie, Snow Dogs, and everyone's favorite, Babe. We’re not sure about you, but we’re starting to feel a little starstruck here…

5. They’re excellent herders

It’s no surprise - after all, they were originally bred to herd sheep. The Border Collie’s intelligence, strong work ethic and great stamina make them excellent (and rather adorable) little sheepherders - their most famous party trick is the ‘herding eye’, an intense stare they use to effectively steer their flock. This herding dog instinct remains strong in Border Collies today (even those that have long left their working days behind them), so don’t be surprised if your Border Collie pal attempts to 'herd' whatever is in sight - and yes, that may include children! 

6. Their loyalty knows no bounds

Aside from their smarts, Collies are known for their affectionate and loving nature - so it’s no wonder that they're counted among the most loyal dog breeds. This is perfectly summed up in the story of Bobbie the Wonder Dog (great name). Back in 1923, poor Scottish Collie, Bobbie, was attacked by a pack of dogs and was separated from his family. Ever devoted, this noble steed embarked on a grueling 2,551-mile journey to be reunited with them, which took a total of six months to complete.

7. They originated in Scotland

To find out more about the Border Collie origin, we need to take a wee trip to bonny Scotland. These furry little workaholics developed in the border regions between Scotland and England. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), they were originally known as the 'Scotch Sheep Dog', but they later picked up the name 'Border Collie', with the Scottish word 'Collie' being used to describe sheepdogs. 

8. They were the inspiration for “Doggles” 

So they’re one of the smartest dog breeds, one of the most loyal dog breeds, they’ve broken multiple world records… how many accolades can one pooch have? One more, apparently - as these pioneering canines were actually the inspiration for "Doggles" - you know, the goggles made to protect dogs' eyes (and make them look like an extra out of Top Gun?).

In fact, it was one Collie in particular - a military dog named Midnight. One sunny afternoon, Midnight's pet parents noticed he struggled to catch a frisbee due to the bright sunlight, and - lightbulb moment! - became inspired to develop a prototype for the "Doggle". It was more or less an instant hit, and in 2012 they pulled in $3 million in revenue. Not bad for an afternoon's work!

9. Their coat comes in two different styles

Not all Collies are alike - while some have a medium-length coarse coat, most commonly paired with a thick, lush tail and mane, others have a short and smooth coat, which is typically a little shorter in length. Both, however, are double coats, typically with a coarse outing and a soft undercoat. They also sport a huge variety of colors, too! While most are black and white, according to the AKC, Collie colors include blue, brindle, gold, red, sable, or any bicolor, tricolor, or merle mix.

10. Most modern Collies can be traced back to one dog

Ok, a quick Border Collie history lesson: while the Border Collie dog breed has technically been around for centuries, all modern Collies (the ones we know and love today), can be more or less traced back to one common dog-cestor: Old Hemp.

Old Hemp, who was born in 1893, is considered to be the four-legged founding father of the Border Collie breed. He was singled out by his humans for his excellent herding abilities and he soon became top dog on the working farm. So, what was so special about Old Hemp? Unlike other herding dogs, he didn't rely on barking - instead, this stealthy steed used his body and intimidation to do the job. He was bred, and many of his pups (which were plentiful - experts believe he fathered between 200-300 pups in total) inherited his special herding skills. And the rest, as they say, is history.

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