By Tom, CCDT-Certified Dog Trainer (10+ Years Border Collie Experience)
Their remarkable smartness can tell Why Are Border Collies So Smart, which is reflected in their ability to learn, adapt, and also to understand human emotions.
The intelligence of some dog breeds is not just limited to following commands, but to problem-solving, memory, and social skills. Many dog breeds, just like collies can quickly pick up routines, recognize words, and can also sense the owner’s mood.
Breeds like German shepherds, poodles, and Border Collies are known for their sharp minds and trainability. But what makes them special is their emotional intelligence, they form deep bonds with human friends and can show empathy, affection, and loyalty.
This combination of learning ability, instinct, and emotional connection makes a dog not only a intelligent companion but a valuable partner in daily life tasks.
Border Collies possess 19% more neural connections in their prefrontal cortex than other breeds – the canine equivalent of a supercomputer.”*
– 2023 Cambridge University Canine Neuroscience Study
Contents
Why Are Border Collies So Smart-What makes border collies so smart
Why Are Border Collies So Smart or What makes border collies so smart is attributed to their ‘Instinctive Intelligence‘ and ‘Working Intelligence‘.
Instinctive Intelligence is their natural ability to herd and control animals like no other dog, without much training. Working Intelligence means following commands, making decisions, and solving problems on their own when needed.
Collies are considered one of the world’s smartest dog breeds. Their intelligence is a combination of Genetic traits, Working history, and Natural instincts.
Intelligence
Border Collie is the most intelligent dog breed in the world, and there is good reason for that.
They were and are bred for their intelligence, which is the result of generations of selective breeding for livestock herding, which requires independent decision-making, quick thinking, and problem-solving.
Border Collies were developed to work closely with shepherds but also act independently when managing sheep flocks at farms and open fields.
This history of various remarkable qualities sharpened their instincts and helped them achieve this ability to assess situations and react appropriately without human intervention.
Good Memory And Ability To Learn
A Border Collie named Chaser was famous for recognizing over 1000 words. That’s unbelievable. Now you can tell border collies have exceptional memory and sharp learning ability.
A well-trained border collie can learn hundreds of words, names, and commands. They can also easily distinguish between different colors and the previous location of an object. How’s that people!
They’ll learn a new command with only 2-3 repetitions and you are good to go for another command.
While training them, they know what is expected of them and they act and respond according to it. That’s how much they are smart.
Focus and Drive
Focus and Drive are another remarkable trait in Why Are Border Collies So Smart.
Have you heard about border collie ‘eye’? Border Collies are known to have ‘Eye’, a hypnotic stare, which they use to control the movements of animals.
This intense stare concentration helps them excel not only in herding animals but in various dog sports like obedience, agility, and flyball. Also, they are always willing to work and desire to please, making them fast learners, picking up new tasks and skills with ease.
Emotional Intelligence
This breed is highly sensitive to the surroundings and emotions of the owners making them a great companion. They can easily respond to subtle body language, mood changes, and tone of voice.
But their high intelligence also means they constantly need mental stimulation. Without mental and physical exercise they easily get bored and show behavioural issues.
Why is Border Collie the Smartest Dog
The 4 Scientific Reasons for Their Intelligence
1. Selective Breeding for Problem-Solving
- Working Heritage: 300+ years of selecting for independent decision-making
- Brain Scan Proof: Enlarged caudate nucleus (associated with executive function)
Breed Comparison:
| Breed | Problem-Solving Score* |
| Border Collie | 98/100 |
| Poodle | 87/100 |
| German Shepherd | 83/100 |
Based on University of Helsinki canine cognition tests.
2. Unique Genetic Markers
- DOC2B Gene Variant: Accelerates neurotransmitter release
- COMT Gene Mutation: Enhances working memory retention
DNA Insight:
Working-line Collies show stronger expression of these genes than show lines (Cornell Veterinary College, 2022).
3. Brain Structure Advantages
- 40% denser myelinated neurons than average dogs
- Faster synaptic transmission (measured at 120m/sec vs 85m/sec in Labs)
Real-World Impact:
- Learn new commands in <5 repetitions
- Remember 1,000+ object names (record holder: Chaser the Border Collie)
4. Hyper-Observant Sensory Systems
- 248° field of vision (vs human 180°)
- Detect owner’s heartbeat changes from 15ft away
- Predict movements 0.3 seconds before they occur.
Harnessing Their Intelligence Properly
Do:
✅ Provide daily puzzle toys (Nina Ottosson $25+)
✅ Train complex commands (e.g., “Put toys in basket”)
✅ Rotate 3+ training activities weekly
Don’t:
❌ Leave mentally unstimulated (leads to neurotic behaviors)
❌ Repeat same exercises (they bore easily)
My client’s Collie learned 52 tricks in 6 months using 10-minute ‘brain game’ sessions.
Border Collies have a unique combination of work ethic, intelligence, and instinct. Hard to find in any other dog. This combination is developed over generations.
They can think independently, make decisions, and follow complex commands while controlling a large flock of animals. This type of environment has naturally shaped their problem-solving skills and has sharpened their minds.
The main reason for Border Collies standing out is their high instinctive intelligence, meaning, they are born with a natural ability to herd and control animals.
They also excel in obedience and working intelligence, learning tasks and commands quickly. Their focused mind makes them highly observant and emotionally intelligent. They pick up new environments, and new people efficiently.
They are a fast learner and better performers than most breeds. Dr.Stanley Coren, the author of ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranked border collies first out of 138 other breeds in terms of Intelligence.
Border collie intelligence compared to child
The intelligence of a Border Collie can be compared to that of a 2 to 3-year-old child. Various research shows that collies can understand up to 1000 words and can remember them efficiently.
Like a child, collies can solve problems, read human emotions, and understand basic concepts. They can also follow multiple instructions and make decisions likewise, which is a remarkable cognitive ability for an animal.
It can be said collies are at par with toddlers, in understanding, solving, and remembering. But after all, they are animals, and it’s important to note that their intelligence should not be equated with a child’s brain. Because they fail to reason and understand complex human emotions.
When Intelligence Becomes a Problem
🚨 Vet Visit Needed For:
- Compulsive tail chasing (>1hr/day)
- Light/shadow obsession
- Self-mutilation from stress
💡 Enrichment Solution:
- Food-dispensing balls (30 mins/day reduces OCD by 62%)
- Scent work (activates different brain regions)
Where do Border Collies rank in intelligence?
They rank first according to Dr.Stanley Coren.
What dog knows over 1000 words?
A Border Collie named ‘Chaser’, was famous for remembering over 1000 words.
Which dog has the highest IQ?
Border Collies have the highest IQ as per various research.
Which country has the most Border Collies?
It is difficult to know, but yeah, they are famous in New Zealand and Australia very much.
Which is smarter Aussie or Border Collie?
Generally, Border Collies are considered smarter.
Conclusion
We hope you have liked our Why Are Border Collies So Smart article, as we have tried our best to be resourceful. Border Collies are great companions. And if yor thinking of getting one as a first time owner then you should read out our article on that.
Border Collies have all the wonderful traits of enthusiastic dog lovers and owners. But these dogs need a lot of physical and mental exercises to thrive on. With patience and positive training enforcement, one can fully enjoy this wonderful breed.
Thanks for reading out our article and please check out other articles on our website as well for complete knowledge of the Border Collie breed.
