Statue of Chaser, World's Smartest Dog

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Chaser was a border collie known as "The Smartest Dog in the World," a title given to her when she appeared on an episode of 60 Minutes. She was taught to understand over 1,000 words by her owner, retired psychology professor John Pilley, who turned his work with Chaser into a New York Times best-seller. Pilley died in 2018; Chaser followed a year later.

Chaser's hometown of Spartanburg unveiled a life-size bronze statue its most famous dog in May 2021. It stands outside the local children's museum -- one of Chaser's favorite spots to visit -- and depicts her with a ball in her mouth, ready to play, which she always was. The statue includes a separate pad with two two human "stand here" footprints, so visitors can pose as if obediently playing ball with a creature of superior intellect.