Browse ›
Blue merle Border Collie with a wad of gray and navy socks in its mouth, looking up, with a laundry basket behind. 14 / 28

Scout the Border Collie Gathers Up Every Sock He Can Find

AI imageborder colliestolen sockslaundry

A tangle of grey and navy socks hangs from his mouth, and the blue merle Border Collie is looking up as though someone has asked him a question. His coat is a handsome mix of grey, black, and white, with a freckled face, and his two different eyes seem to be trying to read the room. Behind him is a basket of laundry, a few towels draped over its edge, and a blanket on a couch.

Border Collies are widely considered to be among the smartest dog breeds, and they are famous for their herding skills and their endless energy. They need a lot of exercise and a job to do, and without enough activity, they can become bored and pick up their own hobbies, like collecting socks. Carrying things around is natural for a dog who was bred to gather and move, and socks smell like their people. Swallowing a sock, however, can cause a serious blockage, so if your dog eats one, call your vet right away. Training games, agility, fetch, and puzzle toys are great ways to keep a Border Collie's brain and body busy.

We will call him Scout, and he has clearly been working on his collection. A few pairs might never be seen again, but he looks extremely pleased with his haul. The laundry day plan has changed.

More from this collection

All 28 →
White Dalmatian with black spots and a small smile sitting next to a torn-up cardboard box and scattered cardboard bits.A Dalmatian Sits Proudly Beside the Box He Took ApartBlack and white Havanese sitting on rolls and sheets of brown kraft wrapping paper spread across a living room floor.Bandit the Havanese Wrapped the Living Room in Brown Paper
Salt and pepper Miniature Schnauzer with peanut butter in its beard, looking sideways beside an open jar on a table.Gus the Schnauzer Tried Peanut Butter and It Stuck to His BeardRed and white Beagle sitting on a white rug covered in muddy paw prints, looking up with wide eyes.Hank the Beagle Brought Half the Backyard Onto the White RugBlack and white mixed-breed dog sitting on a patio looking off to the side next to a spilled bag of potting soil.Scooter the Rescue Dog Looks Away From the Soil He SpilledDapple Dachshund with white paint splatters on its coat and ears standing beside a tipped-over paint can on a wooden floor.Pickles the Dachshund Added a Few Splashes to His Spots