Every year, a special day is set aside to celebrate one of the most intelligent and energetic dog breeds: the Border Collie. National Border Collie Day is not only a time to admire these incredible dogs but also to explore their fascinating history and extraordinary talents.
Border Collies are more than just strikingly beautiful dogs with coats that range from black and white to red, merle, and tri-color. While they are medium-sized, it’s their bright, alert eyes that truly capture your heart. However, what really sets them apart is their personality. Known for their sharp intelligence, they are quick learners, extremely loyal, and possess an energy level that is unmatched. They aren’t just pets—they’re partners, capable of learning and performing incredible tasks.
When to Celebrate
National Border Collie Day is celebrated annually on November 24. On this day, Border Collie enthusiasts and dog lovers worldwide come together to honor the intelligence, agility, and loyalty of this remarkable breed.
Share your stories, pictures, and experiences with these amazing dogs using the hashtag #NationalBorderCollieDay.
(In fact, these dogs are so cherished that they are also recognized on another pet holiday, World Collie Day, which takes place every July 21. On this day, Border Collies, along with other collie breeds like the Smooth Collie, Rough Collie, and Bearded Collie, are celebrated.)
Fun Facts
- The “Eye”: Border Collies use a unique herding technique known as “the eye,” where they maintain a steady, intense stare to control and herd animals.
- Hollywood Fame: This breed has been featured in movies and TV shows, with one of the most famous on-screen Border Collies being “Fly” from the movie Babe.
- Versatile Athletes: Border Collies excel in dog sports like agility, obedience, flyball, and disc dog competitions, showcasing their agility and intelligence.
- Life-Saving Heroes: Their intelligence and agility make them exceptional search and rescue dogs, often deployed in disaster zones to locate survivors.
- Guinness World Record: A Border Collie named Striker wound down a non-electric car window in just 11.34 seconds – a world record!
- Sheepdog Trials: Border Collies are the stars of sheepdog trials, a competitive sport that tests the herding skills of dogs in a controlled environment, highlighting their natural instincts and training.
- World’s Smartest Dogs: Psychologist Stanley Coren ranks Border Collies as the most intelligent breed in his book The Intelligence of Dogs. One of the most famous Border Collies, Chaser, was often dubbed the “world’s smartest dog” and was known for understanding over 1,000 words.
- Name Origin: The name “Border Collie” comes from their breeding origins near the Anglo-Scottish border and the Scottish dialect word “collie,” used to describe sheepdogs.
Want to Adopt a Border Collie?
Check out these sites for adoptable Border Collies!
- Petfinder
- Border Collie Rescue & Rehab
- Midwest Border Collie Rescue
- Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue
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