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Biewer Terrier Dog Breed Information - To Be a Biewer Or Not to Be

 

Biewer Terrier Dog Breed Information Menu:

Biewer Terrier Breed In Brief | Biewer Terrier History | Biewer Terrier Appearance
Biewer Terrier Temperament  |  Biewer Terrier Exercise |  Biewer Terrier Grooming
Biewer Terrier Health Concerns | Biewer Terrier Training | Is A Biewer Terrier The Right Breed For You?
 
Additional Reading | Online Resources | Biewer Terrier Pictures | Biewer Terrier Breeders
Biewer Terrier Rescues | Biewer Terrier Clubs |  Biewer Terrier Dog and Puppy Names

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The Biewer Terrier Dog Breed in Brief:

Origin: Germany

Height: 6-9 inches at the shoulder average

Weight: 4-8 pounds

Exercise Needs: Low

Grooming Needs: High

Life Expectancy: 13-15 years

Good With Kids: Older children

Trainability: Medium difficulty
 

Common Misspellings: Biewer Yorkshire Terrier, Biewer Yorkie, Bewer Terrier, Beuwer Terrier, Beuer Terrier

Alternate Names:

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Biewer Terrier History

Werner and Gertrude Biewer had been showing Yorkshire Terriers for more than 20 years when they were surprised by their first blue, gold and white Yorkie.  Born to the 1981 Dortmund Junior Champion, Darling von Friedheck and the 1981 Dortmund World Champion, Fru-Fru von Friedheck, this puppy possessed an abnormally excessive amount of white and raised the question of whether or not it was possible for the Yorkshire Terrier to possess a recessive gene that would allow for piebald-marked puppies.  Naming this first puppy Scheefloeckchen von Friedheck, Werner and Gertrud chose to focus on these uniquely piebald-colored Yorkshire Terriers, and they sought to breed an ideal blue, gold and white Yorkie.

When he first introduced his spotted Yorkies to the show ring, in March of 1988, Werner Biewer called them black and white Yorkies.  The outcome would be mixed feelings on these black and white Yorkshire Terriers - some breeders, such as the Agridesheim and Sonnenhof Kennels, were intrigued by the idea of a tri-colored Yorkie.  Others however, including the VDH, refused to accept that these dogs were Yorkshire Terriers or, at least, they were not considered to be Yorkshire Terriers of quality.  The VDH labeled these black and white Yorkies as being "wrong color, not for breeding," and washed their hands of the beautiful little spotted Terriers.

Unwilling to accept this decision, Werner and Gertrude began to search for a registry that would accept these piebald Yorkshire Terriers as a unique breed.  His dreams would be answered when the ACH (Allgemeiner Club der Hundefreunde Deutschland e.V.) became the first club to recognize the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom Pon as a unique and separate breed all its own.  In 1989, Werner Biewer signed a standard for the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom Pon breed; a brief and somewhat vague ideal which simply listed the Biewer Terrier standard as being a Yorkshire Terrier, only with the coloration of white-blue-gold.  It wasn't much, but it was a step in the right direction.

The Biewer couple were very protective of their Yorkshire Terriers and breeding dogs were very difficult and costly to come by.  When Werner passed on in 1997, Gertrude discontinued the breeding program and the Biewer Yorkshire Terriers a la Pom Pons were transferred over to family and friends.  By 2000, the breed had dwindled significantly and it wasn't until the breed was introduced to America that it managed to escape extinction. 

Today, while still costly, the Biewer Terrier is continuing to gain popularity.  Recent DNA studies have proved the Biewer Terrier to be a separate breed from the Yorkshire Terrier and they have since been recognized with the ARBA (American Rare Breed Association).  Currently, they are still testing more dogs in order to provide proof that the Biewer Terrier is a unique breed, and are working towards acceptance in the AKC and UKC.

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Biewer Terrier Appearance

 

The Biewer is a toy variety of dog, weighing in between 4 and 8 pounds when fully grown. Black, tan, and white as a puppy, the Biewer Terrier’s body markings will either stay a rich black hue or can fade into the beautiful blue and tan coloration of their ancestors. While the legs, chest, stomach and tip of the Biewer Terrier's tail must be white, any other amount of coloration or pattern are optional and completely personal preference.

The Biewer’s coat should ideally part down the center, from head to tail, with their hair falling to each side in a straight, silky mantle. The hair on the top of the Biewer Terrier's head can either be worn in a topknot or it can be placed into a single ponytail with the end allowed to be left hanging free. Interesting to note is that a Biewer dog’s coat is never referred to as “fur” but is, instead, called “hair.” This is due to its similarity to human hair; the Biewer being one of the few breeds of “hypoallergenic“ dogs, who do not shed and are considered to be better than other breeds, for those who are allergic to pet dander.

While Biewers typically weigh right around 4-8 pounds, you may encounter people who advertise teacup Biewers, miniature Biewer Terrier puppies, or tiny tiny Biewer pups. This is simply a marketing gimmick that is employed by unethical breeders in order to claim higher prices for their dogs. Biewer breed registries do not recognize any kind of sub-standard or petite variety of the Biewer Terrier breed and actually advises against purchasing dogs that are advertised as teacup Biewer Terriers - such animals are not only extremely frail, but if they are true dwarfs or the result of heavy inbreeding, they are often very unhealthy and overrun with genetic faults and disease. While tiny teacups may be considered cute, it’s an unsound practice to breed such animals and the sale of mini Biewers should be discouraged.

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Biewer Terrier Temperament

The Biewer Terrier is a very intelligent and loyal individual, usually quite devoted to their two-legged families (particularly the one that gives them dinner every night).  They tend to be very light-hearted and friendly, possessing a very happy-go-lucky attitude that makes them a wonderful companion for the family or for the elderly.  Some Biewer Terriers suffer from Canine Separation Anxiety and can be very destructive if left alone for long periods of time or not properly crate-trained.  If you do consider a Biewer Terrier for your household, be sure you have the time to spend some quality attention with your four-legged friend.

Biewer Terrier Exercise Needs

As tiny as he is, the Biewer Terrier does not require a great deal of exercise. In fact, more often than not, he will wear himself out by simply playing or tearing around the apartment in short bursts of playfulness. This makes him an ideal pet for someone who isn’t looking for a high-energy dog that will require long daily walks and trips to the dog park. The Biewer Terrier is usually content to simply go outside and do his business and then come right back in…that is, provided he’s kept on a leash and can’t go chasing off after that cat over there. Yes, Biewer Terriers should always be kept on a leash when outside - not only does their tiny size make them vulnerable, but so does their ego, which can often prompt the Biewer to challenge dogs (or cars) that are 10 times their size.

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funny picture of yorkie - yorkshire terrier dog

Biewer Terrier Grooming Requirements

Anyone that’s ever seen one of these adorable little dogs should realize that it takes a lot of work to look that good. The Biewer Terrier is no exception to the rule. Requiring daily brushing and combing, the Biewer’s long and silky hair needs regular trimming and grooming in order to prevent mats. Bathing is also important, as well as carefully blowing the coat dry, due to the dog’s frailty and risk of cold. In a nutshell, the Biewer Terrier takes a lot of work in order to maintain that long coat and, for this reason, unless you want to make weekly trips to the groomers, most pet Biewer owners tend to keep their dog’s coats cut to a short and more manageable length.

Biewer Terrier Training

Few who have known a Biewer Terrier will call them a calm or placid lap dog. Descended from working dogs, it’s natural instinct for the Biewer to tear off after anything that moves - whether that is a bug on the floor, the family cat, or even their shadows, Biewer Terriers love to give chase. In addition to being the cat’s arch-nemesis, they can sometimes be very high-strung and nervous dogs. Some are hyper-sensitive to loud noises, fast movements, and very nervous of strangers, so patience should always be important in any training program.

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Biewer Terrier Health Concerns

As with all other breeds of dog, the Biewer Terrier is susceptible to a variety of different health problems.  Due to the extensive line-crossing and inbreeding that commonly occurs in pedigreed dogs with small gene pools, as well as the unethical practices of some breeders, one must take care when selecting a Biewer Terrier puppy.  Here are some of the conditions that the breed is more susceptible to:

Is the Biewer Terrier the Right Breed For You?


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This is a very commonly asked question and yet, it is still not asked enough. Before purchasing a Biewer puppy, one should first take their lifestyle into careful consideration. While very friendly and outgoing, remember that the Biewer Terrier is still a little dog that may not do well in a household with small children (both from risk of injury as well as the noise tending to make them very nervous and excitable). One must also be very careful of the Biewer with other pets, such as larger dogs that can injure him, accidentally, during play.

Left alone for long periods of time, this breed can also be highly destructive and frequently suffers from Canine Separation Anxiety. Of course, for many, the good outweighs the bad and the Biewer Terrier is worth it. Known to be very affectionate towards their owners as well as being considered to be an ideal pet for those who are allergic to pet dander, it all depends on your lifestyle and the dog you choose in the end. Take your time and pick wisely, and you’re sure to find a wonderful pet with lots of love to share.

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Online Biewer Terrier Breed Information Resources

There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn more about the Biewer Terrier breed. We've compiled a list of Biewer Terrier information sites to assist you in quickly locating quality information about the Biewer Terrier breed, while avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general. If you know of a Biewer Terrier information site that offers unique, quality information and photos of the Biewer Terrier breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.

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Biewer Terrier Pictures

 

Biewer Terrier dogs are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at Biewer Terrier pictures, you can usually gain more insight into what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help you decide if you really want to become a Biewer Terrier owner. The following sites below offer pictures of Biewer Terrier dogs, Biewer Terrier puppy photos, funny Biewer Terrier photos and more. Enjoy!

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Buying a Biewer Terrier Puppy

Teacup Biewer Terrier ALERT!!

Whether you call them Teacup Biewer Terriers, Tea Cup Biewers, Toy Biewer Terriers, Miniature Biewer Terriers, or Mini Biewer Terriers, buying  the smallest Biewer puppy you can find is a sure recipe for a teacup full of heartache! Responsible breeders occasionally will have a puppy that is smaller than it's littermates (it's what we once referred to as the "runt" of the litter). Any breeder that selectively breeds to create a smaller and smaller puppy is not a breeder with whom you want to do business. The reason for this is that smaller puppies usually have a number of health problems. They can suffer from Hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar), knee and hip problems, brain defects, kidney problems, heart problems and more. What's more, these itty bitty dogs are as delicate as flowers, and can easily be injured or killed by being accidentally stepped on or kicked, or from something as seemingly innocent as a fall off of the sofa or bed. Don't buy into this unfortunate trend! Dogs are pets - not fashion accessories or toys. Be sure to buy your Biewer Terrier puppy only from a responsible, reputable Biewer Terrier dog breeder. Avoid any breeder who advertises "Teacup, Miniature, Toy or Mini" Biewer Terrier puppies.

Now that you have decided that the Biewer Terrier is the right breed for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible Biewer Terrier breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Biewer Terrier puppy you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a responsible Biewer Terrier breeder, you may need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication - or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible, caring Biewer Terrier breeder who home-raises their puppies with love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the Biewer Terrier breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter and companionship.

Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...

Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Biewer Terrier puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the breeders whom they allow to advertise.

We Highly Recommend:

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Biewer Terrier Clubs and Rescues

Biewer Terrier clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn even more about the Biewer Terrier dog breed, help you locate a responsible Biewer Terrier breeder, or help you find a Biewer Terrier or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving, forever home. We've compiled the following list of Biewer Terrier clubs and Biewer Terrier rescues web sites for your convenience:

Naming Your Biewer Terrier Puppy

Choosing a name for your Biewer Terrier puppy can be a daunting task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot of thought and research to find just the right name for your Biewer Terrier. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side? A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Biewer Terrier puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just "garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on visitor hits for this popular subject.

We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name for your new Biewer Terrier puppy. These sites offer inventive, unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for their new baby!

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Additional Reading About Biewer Terrier Dogs

 


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