2. Rottweiler: $10000 – $15000

            The Rottweiler, also known as “Rottie”, is a descended of the Italian Mastiff. It was used for many purposes in the Middle Ages such as a herding dog, messenger dog, and guard dog. Today it is used as a police dog along with the German Shepard. It was first bred in Germany in a town called Rottweiler. It is a very powerful and muscular dog. The dog’s teeth meet in a scissor bite, and their eyes are most commonly rounded and brown. They occasionally have blue eyes or one brown and one blue eye. Their tails are most commonly docked. They have a broad and massive chest, which matches their muscular physique. A gene malfunction produces many Rottweilers with a reddish tint to their fur.

           

Rotties are very easy to train and are surprisingly obedient.  They are very devoted to their owners and can be very territorial dogs. They become very protective and will defend their owners in a heartbeat. Rottweilers will not be happy pinned in a backyard all day; they need to be able to run and release their energy. Daily walks are recommended. They are very sociable and should be introduced to other dogs early on or they may become aggressive, unsociable dogs. Rottweilers want to achieve “leader of the pack status”, and will try to achieve this with humans, not only other dogs. They need owners that make it clear to them that they are not above their owner.

Number 3…

Yorkshire terrier: $4000 – $7000

            The Yorkshire terrier, also known as the Yorkie, was used by English workmen for catching rats. It is not a very old breed, but their origin is unknown. It is thought to have possible come from Scotland since many Scotsmen developed terrier breeds. The Yorkshire terrier is a toy- sized breed. They have erect ears and a black nose. Their legs are all completely straight when viewed, opposite of many bigger build dogs that have slightly slanted legs. Their tails are usually cut to a medium length and held quite high on the dog. Yorkies have long, glossy coats that are very silky and fall straight down the dog. It is sometimes considered shaggy. Their coats come in steel blue and tan. The dogs have very long, shaggy hair on their head, and it is necessary to remove the hair from the dogs face to keep it out of their food bowls when eating and to provide them with maximum visibility. Some owners tie the hair high on the dog’s head, and some prefer to have it trimmed.

 Yorkies are very highly energetic dogs and are very adventurous. They are loyal, clever, and affectionate dogs. They are suspicious of strangers and other dogs. They are considered “yappy” dogs. They are not recommended for small children, only for older more mature children. They are easy to train, but hard to housebreak. They require daily walks. If they are not treated correctly, owners sometimes say that they become neurotic and uncontrollable. 

Number 4…

Pharaoh Hound: $2000 – $3000

The Pharaoh is one of the oldest domesticated dogs in the world, and it is estimated that is has been around since 3000- 4000 BC. The exact origin of the breed is unknown, but it guessed to have originated from ancient Egypt. Egyptian artifacts show that these dogs were companions to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. It is thought that the Phoenicians brought these dogs from Egypt to islands around the Mediterranean; Matla in particular. The Pharaoh became the national dog of Malta in 1974. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1983.

The Pharaoh Hound is a tall, slender, and athletic. It is a sight hound as well as a scent hound. It is slightly longer than it is tall and has a chiseled face. Its muzzle longer than its skull, and its nose is almost the exact same color as its coat. It has deep- set amber eyes, and large erect ears that are high- set on its head. Its coat is short and fine with a glossy look to it, and comes in red or tan with occasional white markings. Pharaohs make great companion dogs and are quite independent. They are naturally quiet dogs, well behaved, and intelligent. They are wonderful with children, but are very wary of strangers. Pharaohs love to run and are excellent hunters. They should not be trusted around small pets such as mice, hamsters, cats, and rabbits. They require daily exercise and should be with an owner that can take them on long walks or has a large yard the Pharaoh can run around in. Pharaohs are naturally very strong and healthy and are not inclined to many health problems, but are sensitive to many medicines. They require very little grooming and are naturally clean dogs. They only need baths or dry shampoos when necessary. 

Number 5…

Maltese: $1500 – $2500

                The Maltese breed originated from Italy, and it said to have poodle and miniature spaniel blood. It received its name from Malta, where it was first recognized as a breed. They were a popular breed among royalty in England. The AKC first recognized it as a breed in 1888. They are small dogs with long, silky hair. Their coats are single layer, and either white or ivory. They are slightly longer than they are tall and are recognized as a toy breed.  Maltese are lively, outgoing, and playful dogs. They are very devoted to their owners and are extremely intelligent. They have a talent for learning and mastering any trick thrown at them. They are companion dogs, but they are also quick to act when they hear loud noises or think something is not right. They are lovable and get along great with all animals and other dogs. They love to play outside. Although they are mainly indoor dogs, they may be difficult to housebreak. They are prone to developing Small Dog Syndrome, in which they find themselves to be superior or equal to their owners.

Along the lines of health, Maltese are prone to getting sunburn on their hair part, issues with their eyes, and respiratory issues as well. Some have weak, upset digestion systems and can be difficult to feed. They experience discomfort in hot weather, and should be kept out of damp areas. They are also prone to teeth problems, and should be fed dry dog biscuits in addition to their normal food. They require daily walks, but naturally do not like to walk on a leash. Daily playing can be used as a substitute to walking, but if they do not receive daily exercise they can become hard to handle. Daily combing of their longs coats are necessary. There eyes and beards should be cleaned daily to prevent staining. After baths, it should make sure they are thoroughly dried and kept warm. 

Number 6….

Staffordshire Terrier- $1000 – $1300

In the nineteenth century in Staffordshire, Bulldogs and various terrier breeds were crossed and eventually bred the Staffordshire Terrier. When it was brought to the United States it was crossed with other breeds to produce a broader, more powerful head and increased weight.This was preferred by Americans and became recognized as a new, separate breed. After dog fighting was made illegal, the breed was separated into two strains  a show strain and a non- show strain. These were later recognized as their own breeds as well; the show strain, American Staffordshire, and the non- show, the American Bull Terrier.

The  Staffordshire Terrier is a very stocky and muscular dog that is very strong for its size. Their coats are very thick and glossy that comes in all colors, partial and patched, but it is not favorable for the dog’s coat to be more than 80 percent white. They have tails that are short for their size and tapers to a point. These terriers are usually big bone, large dogs and cousin to the American Pit Bull Terrier. Staffordshires are very intelligent  outgoing dogs. They are commonly very confident and level tempered. They do well with children, being that they are very gentle and well- natured dogs, and also make great guard dogs. They are very obedient, but are also highly protective of their owners and will fight if provoked. If a Staffordshire is raised unsociable they may become aggressive. It is extremely important for the owner to establish themselves higher than the dog early on to make sure that the dog is obedient. As far as health problems go, Staffordshires are prone to heart murmurs, thyroid problems, skin allergies, tumors, hip dysplacia, and also hereditary cataracts and congenital heart disease. Exercise is mandatory for these terriers, otherwise they become hard to handle. 

7. Bearded Collie

Number 7… 

Bearded Collie- $700 – $800

                The Bearded Collie a herding dog that used to be used by Scottish shepherds, but now is primarily a family dog. It is sometimes referred to as a “Beardie”.  This breed originates from Great Britain and is one of their earliest breeds. The Beardie was first brought to Britain in 1514 when a Polish sea captain traded a ram and an ewe with a Scottish Shepard for 3 of his Polish sheep dogs. The shepherd bred the Polish Sheepdogs with other herding dogs, such as the Old English Sheepdogs and the Komondor. The first Bearded Collies were bred in the United States in 1967 and is to this day considered a rare breed in America.

 They have shaggy fur and waterproof double coat that covers their entire body, including their  chin which provides for the “beard”. As the dog ages, the color of its coat changes multiple times. When Beardie pups are born their coats are either black, brown, blue, or fawn.  Some have white markings which fade, as they grow, into a light gray or cream color. Beardies are cheerful, happy, tail- wagging dogs. They are playful dogs, but are also good around children. They are unhappy when left and alone and prone to creating mischief. When leaving a Beardie alone they should be taken on a walk or played with beforehand.  They are perfectly fine with sleeping outdoors and make great farm dogs. Bearded Collies are prone to hip dysplascia, which is common in most large dog breeds. Their thick coats can also conceal an external parasite infestation so it is important to look out for parasites. It is important to groom their coats daily due to their thick, long hair. Grooming their coat consists on first lightly misting their fur before beginning, and picking out hair that mats together. 

8. Akita Inu

Number 8…           

Akita Inu- $500 to $800

                The Akita Inu is native to Japan and is known as one the seven breeds known as a “National Monument”. The Akita was first bred in the mountains of Northern Japan and was meant to be an adaptable hunting dog. They have a strong spiritual meaning to the Japanese. They are known as a symbol of good health. It said that when a family has a child they will often be given a statue of an Akita to wish the child happiness, good health, and a long life. The first Akita in the United States arrived in 1937 and is said to have been owned by Helen Keller. The popularity of the Akita in the United States increased following World War II. The Akita attracted many service men, who brought them home to the United States as pets for their families. They liked the intelligence and versatility of the breed.

There are various colors and markings of Akitas. They are double- coated with a thick undercoat of dense hair and a short outer coat. Akitas are bred in mainly white, pinto, and brindle colors. Many have a marking known as a black mask on their face, although the true Japanese Akita does not have a black mask nor does a pure white Akita. Akitas experience few health problems, but they can be very serious if not treated. They are prone to developing eye problems, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. These can be life threatening issues as both can lead to complete blindness. Akitas, much like any other large breed dog, can suffer from hip dysplasia. It is a hereditary condition and causes improper growth of the hip bone socket and the ball of the femur, which fits into the socket. Improper growth causes grinding between the ball and socket, which wears both cartilage and bone, hindering the animal’s mobility. Akitas are very skillful dogs. They are known for their outstanding protection and devotion to their owner as they were bred to work alongside humans. They do not bark often, unless they feel threatened or the need to protect. Although they have a high tolerance for physical pain, they are sensitive dogs emotionally and easily have their feelings hurt.