Spartanburg in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Chaser the Border Collie

April 28, 2004 - July 23, 2019

Photographed By Mark Parker, March 22, 2024

1. Chaser the Border Collie Marker

Inscription. Chaser was a Spartanburg native, a beloved member of the Pilley family and research assistant to Dr. John W. Pilley, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Wofford College.

Professor Pilley & Chaser gave the world scientific affirmation that dogs are not only smarter than we think, but capable of so much more with their groundbreaking research and her unprecedented language learning of over 1000 objects.

Those objects were her toys.

Chaser has the largest tested vocabulary of any animal on the planet which garnered her international fame and the title of "the smartest dog in the world."

The methodology for Chaser's learning?

Play.

"All creatures can learn and if learning does not take place, we must change the methods." - Dr. John W. Pilley, Jr.

Footprints of Dr. John W. Pilley, Jr.
July 1, 1928 - June 17th, 2018

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Science & Medicine.

Location. 34° 56.969′ N, 81° 55.973′ W. Marker is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. Marker is at the intersection of Dunbar Street and Magnolia Street, on the left when traveling west on Dunbar Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spartanburg SC 29306, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Daniel Morgan Monument (a few steps from this marker); William Walker / Clara Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); 156 West Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Rosa H. Gantt (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spartanburg Town Clock (about 300 feet away); Pink Anderson / The Marshall Tucker Band (about 400 feet away); Spartanburg Water Works (about 400 feet away); Palmetto Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spartanburg.

More about this marker. Statue is to the northeast of the Daniel Morgan Monument in Morgan Square

Also see . . .
1. Smartest Dog Ever Can Pick Out 1,022 Toys By Name.

Psychologists Alliston Reid and John Pilley of Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., wanted to test if there was a limit to the amount of words a border collie could learn, so they taught Chaser the names of 1,022 toys, one by one, for three years. New Scientist reports that they got her to fetch the toy and then they repeated the name to reinforce her understanding.

(Submitted on March 22, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

2. . Website information about Chaser, including print and media stories.

Chaser, a purebred Border collie, was born on
Photographed By Mark Parker, March 22, 2024

2. Chaser the Border Collie sideview
April 28, 2004, at Flint Hill Farms in Pauline, South Carolina. Eight weeks later, she became a member of the Pilley family, and John’s research partner in exploring the boundaries of the canine brain. She and John Pilley officially retired from public performances and film shoots in early 2018.

(Submitted on March 22, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Chaser the Border Collie front view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, March 22, 2024

3. Chaser the Border Collie front view

Footprints of Dr. John W. Pilley, Jr. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, March 22, 2024

4. Footprints of Dr. John W. Pilley, Jr.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 63 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 22, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.