In the middle of the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution was in full swing in Yorkshire County, an area in northern England. The work in agriculture and livestock, in coal and iron, and in textiles drew many craftsmen and workers to the area. From Scotland came workers who brought with them several varieties of small, long-coated terriers. They were called Scottish Terriers and were put to work in diminishing the rodent population of the mills and mines and factories. Experts don’t agree on which breeds created the Yorkshire Terrier, but certain breeds are commonly thought to be its main ancestors. The Clydesdale, Paisley, Waterside and Skye Terriers were Scottish breeds brought to England and are thought to have contributed to the Yorkie’s size, coat length and blue/black color. And the English Black and Tan Terrier is thought the most likely forbearer of the Yorkie breed’s color pattern. The original Yorkies were larger than today’s Yorkie. Selective breeding began, with very little record keeping, and over the years, the breed became miniaturized. The first dog show to feature a Yorkshire Terrier occurred in 1870, and in 1874, the first Yorkies were registered in the British Kennel Stud Book. What most experts do agree on is that in 1865 in the town of Huddersfield, in Yorkshire County, the father of the Yorkshire Terrier was born: Huddersfield Ben, a large dog compared to today’s Yorkshire Terrier. Ben was owned by M. A. Foster whose efforts to popularize the breed in England, resulted in Ben leading quite a famous life. He won many ratting contests and more than 70 prizes in dog shows. In the United States, Yorkies have been popular since the turn of the 20th century, after being introduced to the continent in 1872. The breed has been in American dog shows since 1878, and registered with the AKC since 1885. However, it wasn’t until the 1930’s that the Yorkshire Terrier was a three to seven pound dog, as it is known today. Until that time, the breed weighed approximately 30 pounds. Dogs are individuals, but the characteristics commonly found in Yorkshire Terriers include great tenacity, an amazing boldness, sharp intelligence, an often busy activeness, as well as a streak of strong independence.