11. Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies as they’re affectionately called, originally hail from Scotland where they came with the Scottish workers who were searching for employment in the coal mines and factories of Yorkshire, England.

According to YorkiePassion website, these terriers bred with a lively mix of the English Black-and-Tan Toy Terrier, the Skye Terrier and the Waterside Terrier – forming the origins of the adorable toy Yorkie we know and love today.
Yorkies are small dogs, weighing only about 7 pounds.

They were unfortunately used for rat-baiting back in the day, which involved turning a terrier loose on a pit full of rats and taking bets on how many the terrier could kill. The inhumane sport lasted into the early 20th century before people decided it was too cruel to continue.

Today, the Yorkshire Terrier is a prized show dog. It first appeared on the American dog show circuit in 1878, according the American Kennel Club. It has since become one of the most popular registered breeds in America
Part of the Yorkie’s popularity is his small size which makes him the perfect house pet. He’s easily toted from place to place, beautiful to look at and a lively and energetic companion.

According to YorkshireTerrierDog website, the current standards in this breed were set back in 1865 with the birth of Huddersfield Ben, a Yorkie of exceptional quality.

Ben earned a whopping 74 prizes in his day and fathered many offspring – the entire basis of today’s Yorkshire Terrier line. Sadly, Ben was hit by a carriage and killed at the young age of six, but his legacy lives on even today.

This breed takes dedicated grooming and lots of interaction with people and other dogs to maintain its vivacious personality. If you think a Yorkshire Terrier might be the dog for you, prices run the gamut from about $600 to $3,500 with top-of-the-line pups from reputable breeders costing even more.