Complete Guide To The Biewer Terrier
Fun, spunky, and highly intelligent, this little Terrier is a fun family member for all family types and ages. This little dog needs minimal exercise, is a people pleaser, and is commonly considered hypoallergenic. Recently accepted into the AKC, this miniature breed is growing in popularity but may be tricky to find.
This breed was only just recognized in early 2021 and, although they look a lot like Yorkies with a white coloring streak, they are distinctly genetically different. I expect this breed to become more and more popular as time goes by.
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How Big Do Biewer Terriers Get?
The Biewer Terrier is a petite size dog and is part of the Toy Group instead of the Terrier Group. This little dog will measure 7 to 11 inches at the shoulder and usually only weigh 4 to 8 pounds. There is little size difference between the males and the females.
What Do Biewer Terriers Look Like?
The trademark coat is what attracts so many people to this rare and relatively new breed. The dogs have piebald coloring, which means that their coats are filled with patches of color. Possible colors include white or blue-white that is present on their legs, underside, and chest. Most commonly, the faces of the Biewer Terrier are black and tan. This dog has long and silky fur, but it can be kept short to simplify grooming and maintenance.
What Is The Personality Of A Biewer Terrier?
There isn’t much this little, outgoing dog isn’t happy doing. From simply being at its owner’s side to playing in the yard, the Biewer Terrier is a happy-go-lucky kind of dog. This breed isn’t particularly yappy compared to other little dogs but will certainly alert you if a stranger is at home. The dog is light-hearted and will always find a way to entertain its owners with its antics and comedy.
This dog is a great companion and will become a very loyal and loving member of the family. The dog is happy to play alongside children and other pets and is also delighted living with a single person. Because of its small size and relatively low exercise needs, this dog is well suited for seniors.
How Much Grooming Do Biewer Terriers Need?
The Biewer Terrier is considered a hypoallergenic dog due to the long and silky coat that more closely resembles human hair instead of traditional dog fur. The soft fur rarely gets matted, but it is possible if you do not adequately care for your dog.
If you choose to keep the coat long, simply brush the dog once per week to eliminate dead hair. Many people choose to keep the hair clipped short, which requires only regular grooming appointments to cut the fur. Be sure to bathe your dog regularly and use a high-quality shampoo and condition to keep the hair silky and soft.
Remember to trim the nails once per month to keep them short if they are not naturally worn down by walking over rough surfaces. Check the ears periodically and clean them regularly to remove dirt and debris that could easily cause an ear infection.
How Much Exercise Do Biewer Terriers Need?
For a Terrier, the Biewer is a mellow and low-key kind of dog. This dog is joyful and playful, and often finds their own way to exercise and entertain themselves. They love spending time with their family and are perfectly happy exercising indoors. Perfect indoor games can include fetch, tug-of-war, or even exciting hide-and-seek challenges.
If you have time to take your dog for a short walk, the Biewer is happy to oblige. Because of their small size and easy demeanor, they can make excellent apartment dogs if given enough daily exercise and interaction. If the dog is left to its own devices, it can turn to destructive digging and chewing.
What Kind of Dog Food Is Good For A Biewer Terrier ?
On the AKC breed page, information is given about feeding your Biewer Terrier a diet containing a few specific ingredients. I find that to be highly speculative as a whole breed shouldn’t have a sensitivity to a few ingredients. That would be a red flag for me for the breed.
I doubt that this information is based on any objective study. Personally I believe that most foods are fine for most dogs. Some dogs may not do well on some foods. However, as a rule I don’t blanket-prohibit any dietary ingredient from any breed at this time.
Some good brands that I recommend include:
I usually tend to go with the bigger dog food companies because of the amount of time and money they have to research and test their products. They also have a stronger history of safe foods (very rarely will they have recalls) over the newer, more boutique-style dog foods.
Please don’t listen to the folks at the pet store trying to convince you to buy a grain-free diet for your dog. There’s zero science behind that and vets are actually seeing diseases now related to feeding grain-free foods.
It’s very important they remain at their optimal weight throughout their life. Have your vet go over with you exactly where to feel to know when your dog is too big.
How Long Does A Biewer Terrier Live?
16 years according to information from the AKC
What Health Problems Can Biewer Terriers Have?
This Breed is still relatively new to the AKC but we can infer certain issues that they are likely to have based on their origins. The issues I would be watching out for most would be:
- Dental Disease
- Luxating Patella
- Obesity
Where Can I Find Out More About The Biewer Terrier?
Biewer Terrier Club of America
Where Can I Find a Biewer Terrier?
The Biewer Terrier is a relatively new breed of dog that was only recently included in the AKC’s registry. As such, this can be a hard dog to find. Expect to have a wait as long as a year to find available puppies. It may also be possible to turn to Yorkie breeders who may have this specific piebald pup available.
Before choosing a breeder, you will want to thoroughly vet the breeder to ensure they are familiar with the breed and have certified their puppies against common health problems. Always try to meet the entire litter of puppies and the mother and father dog to understand better what your puppy will look and act like as an adult.
Breeder Listings From The Biewer Terrier Club of America
Although the breed is rare, it may also be possible to adopt the Biewer Terrier from a rescue group specializing in this breed of dog. The Biewer United Rescue, Inc. specializes in this new breed, while the Save A Yorkie Rescue may have the occasional Biewer Terrier available for adoption. Rescuing a pup not only allows you to get the dog of your dreams but also helps give a much-deserving dog a forever home.
Fun Facts About the Biewer Terrier
- You pronounced the word “Biewer” like the word “beaver.” These dogs have also been called a Biewer Yorkshire, a Biewer a la Pom Pon, and Biewer Yorkie.
- This very new breed of dog happened by accident! On January 20, 1984, two Yorkies had a litter that featured puppies with a recessive piebald gene. After 20 years of breeding healthy and happy Yorkies, they realized that the recessive gene was hereditary, and it sparked an entirely new breed of dog created by Gertrud and Werner Biewer.
- The Biewer Terrier was extremely popular in Germany until about 2000 but initially failed to gain traction in the United States. In 2014, the Terrier was brought to the United States, and in 2021 the dog was officially recognized by the AKC as a member of the Toy Group.
- As the newest dog breed in the AKC, the AKC officially recognized the Biewer Terrier as the 197th breed in the club.
- This dog is the first breed of dog that is recognized as a new breed through DNA. A study was done on this type of dog to ensure the DNA was different from a Yorkshire Terrier, confirming an entirely different breed. Genetic testing confirmed a new breed with traces of the Yorkie, Bichon Frise, Havanese, and Maltese.
