Description: Biewer Terrier
The Biewer Terrier is a small, elegant toy breed known for its distinctive tri-colored, long, flowing coat. Originally bred in Germany, the Biewer Terrier traces its origins to the Yorkshire Terrier, with the unique coloration setting it apart as its own recognized breed. Biewer Terriers are lively, affectionate, and loyal companions, often forming strong bonds with their families. Their cheerful and playful disposition makes them a favorite choice for city dwellers and those seeking an adaptable pet. The breed does well with children and can get along with other pets when properly socialized. Biewer Terriers require moderate grooming to keep their beautiful coats looking their best, but their exercise needs are relatively low, making them a great fit for both active and less active households. They also tend to be intelligent and responsive, but early training and socialization are important to ensure well-rounded behavior.
Biewer Terrier ratings
Properties
The Biewer Terrier is a small, elegant toy breed known for its distinctive tri-colored, long, and silky coat. Originally developed in Germany during the 1980s, the breed was created from Yorkshire Terriers that carried a recessive piebald gene, leading to the unique white, blue, and gold coloration that sets the Biewer Terrier apart. The hallmark of this breed is its luxurious, flowing coat, which requires regular grooming to maintain its beauty and prevent tangling.
The Biewer Terrier typically weighs between 4 to 8 pounds (1.8 to 3.6 kg) and stands about 7 to 11 inches (18 to 28 cm) tall at the shoulder, making it an ideal companion for small spaces such as apartments. The breed’s expression is keen and intelligent, with dark, expressive eyes, a level back, and a high-set tail carried gaily over the back. The ears are small, V-shaped, and erect, contributing to the breed's alert appearance.
This breed is known for its playful, friendly, and affectionate temperament, endearing itself to families, singles, and seniors alike. Biewer Terriers are generally social dogs that enjoy the company of their human companions and get along well with children and other pets when properly socialized. Despite their delicate appearance, they are lively and enjoy moderate exercise, including short daily walks and playtime. They also excel at companion sports like agility and obedience.
The Biewer Terrier’s coat, while luxurious, is non-shedding and considered hypoallergenic by some, making it a potential choice for people with mild allergies. However, the coat requires daily brushing and regular baths to keep it in optimal condition. Routine grooming also includes ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental care.
Health-wise, the Biewer Terrier is generally robust for a toy breed, with a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years when properly cared for. Some issues to watch for include patellar luxation, dental problems due to their small jaws, and potential sensitivities to anesthesia. Responsible breeders screen for genetic issues to promote breed health.
In summary, the Biewer Terrier is a charming, eye-catching companion that combines beauty, liveliness, and affection in a manageable size. With their endearing nature, distinctive appearance, and adaptability, they have quickly become favorites among toy breeds in households worldwide.
Appearance
The Biewer Terrier is a small, elegant, and highly distinctive toy dog breed, easily recognized by its glamorous, flowing tricolor coat and expressive, animated appearance. Originating in Germany in the 1980s, this breed was developed by selective breeding of Yorkshire Terriers, resulting in their unique and eye-catching colors. The Biewer Terrier typically stands between 7 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs around 4 to 8 pounds, making it a compact and portable companion dog.
The hallmark of the Biewer Terrier’s appearance is its long, silky, fine-textured coat. Unlike the traditional Yorkshire Terrier, the Biewer’s fur features a striking combination of white, blue-black, and rich gold or tan in a specific pattern. The symmetrical, piebald markings are essential for breed standards; the body is predominantly white with blue-black and gold coloring distributed across the head, face, and body. The hair naturally parts down the middle of the back, further enhancing their elegant look, and it should fall straight and evenly to each side without a wave or curl.
The head of the Biewer Terrier is small and slightly rounded, with a short muzzle and a black button nose. Their large, round eyes are dark and expressive, giving them an alert and intelligent expression. The ears are small, set high, and carried erect; they are covered with short hair, further accentuating the breed’s lively appearance. The bite is a level or scissors alignment, adding to the neat and symmetrical impression.
Another key feature is their straight, moderately long tail, which is set high and typically carried slightly over the back, generously plumed with luxurious hair. The legs are straight and fine-boned but strong, with compact, neatly arched feet. While delicate in appearance, the Biewer Terrier is well-balanced and displays the lively, playful carriage typical of toy breeds. Their overall look is one of grace and refinement, coupled with a cheerful personality and undeniable charm.
History
The Biewer Terrier is a relatively new and unique breed that originated in Germany in the 1980s. Its history is closely tied to the dedicated efforts of Werner and Gertrud Biewer, who were long-time Yorkshire Terrier breeders. The story of the Biewer Terrier began in 1984 when the Biewers noticed an unusual puppy in one of their Yorkie litters. This puppy had striking piebald coloring—blue, white, and gold—an appearance that was not typical for Yorkshire Terriers, which are normally steel blue and tan.
The unique coloration was the result of a rare genetic recessive piebald gene. Recognizing the potential for a new and distinct breed, the Biewers decided to selectively breed for these characteristics. They mated two of their Yorkshire Terriers, Schneeflöckchen von Friedheck and Darling von Friedheck, both of which carried the piebald gene, and continued to produce puppies with the same striking tri-color coats. The breed was initially named ‘Biewer Yorkshire a la Pom Pon,’ reflecting both the Biewer family and the dog's fluffy, pompom-like appearance.
The breed quickly gained popularity in Germany, and its charming looks, cheerful personality, and distinctive markings attracted attention abroad as well. In 1989, the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier was officially recognized by the Allgemeiner Club der Hundefreunde Deutschland (ACH), a German breed club. However, due to differences in breed standards and nomenclature, the Biewer Terrier remained a rare and somewhat controversial breed outside Germany for several years.
The first Biewer Terriers came to the United States in the early 2000s. American breeders began working to establish and standardize the breed, emphasizing its unique features and solid genetic foundation. DNA studies conducted in recent years have confirmed that the Biewer Terrier is a distinct breed separate from the Yorkshire Terrier, thanks to the piebald gene and careful selective breeding. In 2014, the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service accepted the Biewer Terrier, and in January 2021 the breed achieved full recognition by the AKC and was eligible to compete in the Toy Group.
Today, the Biewer Terrier is cherished for its elegant appearance, playful temperament, and companionable nature. Its journey from a genetic surprise in Germany to an internationally recognized breed is a testament to the dedication and vision of the Biewer family and the breeders who followed in their footsteps.