A direct descendant of the Yorkshire Terrier dog, the Biewer Terrier is an elegant, energetic, longhaired, tri-colored toy terrier with a large-sized personality. Genetic testing proved that Biewer Terrier wasn’t just a variation of the Yorkshire Terrier; these pint-sized, happy-go-lucky goofballs are their new pure breed. Being a true Terrier, Biewer has a rich working history, but today they are known as lap dogs and apartment pets.
Also known as Biewer Yorkie or Biewer Yorkshire, these breeds have calm and devoted dispositions, but Terrier demeanors and breed traits can cause trouble. Digging, chasing, chewing, or quarreling with other pets are characteristic of the Biewers. Despite their small stature, the Biewer is a very hearty, athletic canine and an excellent vermin hunter. Feisty, spunky, and guaranteed to light up your life, Biewer Terriers are the perfect companion to make your average day extraordinary.
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Biewer Terrier Overview
Biewer Terriers are one of the most glamorous representatives of the canine world. These toy pups will attract attention wherever they go with their long silky coat and vibrant topknot. Biewers are affectionate towards their human family, as anyone would expect from a companion dog. However, being true to their Terrier roots, they’re cynical of strangers and bark at unfamiliar sounds. Apart from their bold and bossy character, Biewers have a soft side that requires lots of attention and time with their human family. They do better with older children who’ve been instructed to respect them than with toddlers and small kids. Apartment dwellers and those who leave home for long hours daily may have difficulty meeting the Biewer Terrier’s physical needs. But you’ll have a dedicated, lifelong companion if you can provide plenty of patience, attention, and space to move.
Biewer Terrier Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Good watchdog
Can be loud
Affectionate and loyal
Needs lots of grooming
Energetic and entertaining
Can be difficult to housebreak
Biewer Terrier Basic Information
Name: Biewer Terriers
Origin: Germany
Group: Terrier group, Non-sporting
Size: Toy
Height: 7 – 11 inches
Weight:4 – 8 pounds
Coat: Long, silky
Color: Blue/black and white, white and gold/tan, yellow, black/tan/white, blue/tan/white
Energy: High
Activities: Hiking, agility, companion dogs, conformation, obedience, herding, and watchdog.
Other Names: Biewer, Biewer Yorkie, Biewer Yorkshire, German Yorkshire Terriers, Biewer à la Pom Pon
Original Pastime: Ratters
Life Span: 11 – 16 years
History of Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terriers began their journey in 1984. On January 20th, Biewer’s history began with a pair of Yorkshire Terriers bred by Gertrud and Werner Biewer, who bred Yorkies for several decades in Germany. Earlier, a few puppies were born with the recessive piebald gene interrupting pigmentation, so a dog’s skin looks spotted or multi-colored. The puppies were originally called German Yorkshire Terriers but were later known as the Biewer Yorkshire Terriers.
The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in January 2021.
Biewer Terrier Highlights
Biewer is a rare purebred developed through a recessive piebald gene’s occurrence in two Yorkies.
Biewers can be a bit “yappy” and do not welcome outsiders quickly, though, with proper socialization and training, they can be ideal watchdogs.
Biewers are highly adaptable and do well in apartments or large homes.
Biewers are known for being difficult to housetrain.
Intelligent and self-assured, Biewers combine an endearingly small size and an adventurous Terrier personality. Also, they portray a range of personalities, such as:
Mischievous and outgoing
Cuddly and perky
Charming and playful
Lively and devoted
Biewer is a fun, good-tempered, and dedicated companion who is aggressive, lively, affectionate, mischievous, and highly connected to their human family. The sight of a Biewer is a scene of striking beauty. They are ideal watchdogs but can be snappy towards other kids if not treated gently or respectfully. Some Biewers might be aggressive toward small pets, but they live peacefully with other dogs and cats if introduced to them from the very initial stage.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
Medium to high
Kid-friendly
Low to medium
Pet-friendly
Medium
Stranger -friendly
Low to medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
High
Good to new owners
Medium to high
Sensitivity level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low to medium
Cold-tolerance
Low to medium
Heat-tolerance
Low to medium
Biewer Terrier Physical Features
Head: Biewer has a strong head with medium-sized, round, or almond-shaped eyes, upright or V-shaped ears, a slightly rounded skull, and a level or scissor bite.
Neck, Topline, Body: Moderate in length, free from throatiness, their body is slightly longer than the overall height, and the chest comes to the elbows with a good width. Biewers have moderately sprung ribs with a slightly tucked-up underline and a well-developed loin.
Tail: The tail is set high and is carried erect.
Forequarters: Well-arched toes and straight forelegs parallel when viewed from the front.
Hindquarters: Strong hindquarters with well-angulated legs at the stifles and hocks.
Coat: Soft and silky texture.
Color: Blue, black, gold, tan, and white.
Gait: The movement is free, smooth, effortless, and agile.
Disqualifications (AKC Standards)
Blue eye(s)
Brown or liver pigmentation of the eye rims, lips, nose, and pads.
High in the front and rear
Roach and rounded back
Hackneyed gait in adults
Biewer Terrier Temperament
Biewers are bold, assertive, playful, energetic puppies that are also perceived as strong-willed and hyperactive. These mischievous toy breeds are sportive, excel in any game, and are keen on action and adventure. They are dedicated, prefer to be around their humans, and make ideal companions. They will quickly get along with children, provided they are socialized as pups and were raised with them.
Biewers have exceptional hunting skills and a strong desire to strive out and destroy vermin. Therefore, a fenced yard and leashed walks are essential for their safety. They’ll only hunt moving objects rapidly if they focus on where the chase is directing them. As they have herding instincts, Biewers might attempt to herd smaller animals. Thus, sharing a house with a pet bird is not ideal.
Even though small in size, Biewers are real Terriers at heart. So, they’ll need limitations to keep them from showing less attractive qualities like separation anxiety, excessive barking, or suspicion toward strangers or other pets. Instead, they symbolize fearlessness and are good watchdogs who value their family. With a do-it-all mindset and a keen intelligence, Biewers discover and become adaptable, taking on any role you throw at them.
Biewer Terrier Training
Training a Biewer can be challenging, given their stubborn attitude and agile build. However, you can take advantage of their brilliance, eagerness to please, and charming personality to ease the training procedure. It is good to offer continuous training for your Biewer to harness its full potential. Similarly, their training sessions must include a blend to motivate their attention until the end. You can guide them in complicated tricks and reinforce their learning positively with praise, treats, and special playtime. Here are some of the training activities that you need to do with your Biewer:
Biewers need a lot of space and time to spend their high energy levels. You don’t have to take them for a jog or an extended walk if you have a backyard where they can play and run. However, without a yard, you must invest your time in the dog’s park with a leash. They will thrive with a vigorous walk of at least 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise combined with training lessons, play sessions, or activities like agility sports. Biewers can quickly adapt to an apartment if their necessities are fulfilled. Similarly, early socialization and proper exercise can avoid unnecessary guarding instincts and timidness. Hence, it is essential to encourage them to be occupied mentally.
Here are a few puzzles and dog toys to keep your pet engaged:
Biewer Terriers are hypoallergenic, low-shedder canines with a weatherproof double coat. If you maintain their coats long, they will need daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles. Biewer’s grooming essentials are as follows:
As the Biewer is a descendant of the Yorkie, they might be inclined to some of the same health disorders their ancestors faced. While most are generally healthy, some Biewers may be prone to a few health problems, which is why it is essential to maintain good care and regular veterinary check-ups.
Health Overview
General health
High
Weight gain tendencies
Medium
Size
Low
Patellar Luxation: This painful disease is the falling of the knee cap from their spot in the legs. Signs include canines feeling uncomfortable while running or hiking and kicking their leg to set the kneecap in its position.
Allergies: Biewer can be allergic to various elements, ranging from food to pollen. If your puppy licks their paws or rubs their face, get them checked by your veterinarian.
Diabetes: If your Biewer has Diabetes, you may notice signs like increased thirst and hunger and regular urination. Your puppy may also become lethargic or begin losing weight.
Mitral Valve Disease: In this disorder, the weakening of the heart valves causes blood to flow back into the atrium, leading to cardiac collapse. Vets can detect it early, so it’s essential to keep up with their routine examinations.
Legg-Calve Perthes Disease: When the blood supply of the femur is decreased, the pelvis starts to disintegrate, and the hip becomes gradually weakened. Symptoms include atrophy and limping of the leg muscle.
Portosystemic Vascular Anomaly (PSVA) and Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD): These hereditary disorders cause liver circulation to malfunction. Treatment may include medication or surgery, especially for PSVA.
Dental Issues: Dental issues like bleeding gums, gum inflammation, tartar buildup, bad breath, cavities are common in Biewers. Regularly brushing their teeth can prevent oral infections, gum diseases, and other dental problems.
Distichiasis: An additional row of eyelashes grows on the eye’s oil gland and protrudes along the edge of the eyelid, causing eye irritation. This is treated by a surgery called cryoepilation, in which the excess eyelashes are frozen with liquid nitrogen and then removed.
Hypoglycemia: Anorexia, excessive tiredness, poor coordination, shaking, muscular twitching, fatigue, convulsions, and skin and gum discoloration are all symptoms of hypoglycemia. When a dog is in low sugar shock, he or she will usually refuse to eat or drink.
Small dog syndrome: Biewers suffer from this syndrome, a collective behavior change exhibited by small dogs. They do all activities to overcome their small stature, such as excited manners, growling at people and other pets, and jumping up on pet parents, people, or other pets.
Recommended Health Tests
Patella Evaluation
Super Chem-cast Blood Test
Biewer Terrier Diet and Nutrition
It is recommended to measure food 1/2 to 1 cup that is high in quality, dry food to your Biewer twice a day rather than letting the food on the plate all day long to consume. Since these puppies are potential weight gainers, handling the amount of food you offer is better. However, ensure the diet you feed is measured and tailored to your pup’s size, activity level, age, and weight. Also, limit the treats you give your Biewer, specifically while training.
You can prevent hypoglycemia in your Biewers if he is provided with balanced meals ninety minutes before his exercises and training. Owing to bone, joint, and jaw disorders, Biewers are given foods rich in calcium.
Biewers are the most companion puppies who adapt well to their human families. They love playing and adore the company of older children. They are happy when they are around their family. On the downside, these breeds undergo separation anxiety when left alone for long periods.
Did You Know?
Margot Eskens, a renowned German singer in the 1950s and 1960s, had a Biewer Terrier.
Commonly, Biewer Terrier was referred to as BT or Biewer.
Biewer puppies will cost between $2,000 and $3,000.
In 2021, Biewer became the 197th breed recognized by the AKC.
These breeds were assigned to the Toy group in April 2014.
Adding a Biewer Terrier to Your Family
Cost of a Biewer Terrier
The cost of Biewer Yorkies range from $3000 to $5000.
