Group
Foundation Stock Service
Temperament
Intelligent, Devoted, Amusing
About
The Biewer Terrier, pronounced Beaver like the little dam building animals, is a dedicated, loyal family member and a friend to all they meet. It is not uncommon to be met with a smile from this happy-go-lucky dog. Although not a constant barker, they will alert you to company. With a larger than life personality, their lighthearted, childlike whimsical attitude will keep you entertained for hours. In spite of their small stature they are hearty and athletic, able to keep up with the best of them on long walks, hikes or competing in the agility ring.
History
The heritage of the Biewer Terrier has been an interesting and much discussed topic over the years. It started with Mr. and Mrs. Biewer, who instead of having children, bred, raised, sold, and showed Yorkshire Terriers. They had a very large and successful breeding program throughout the 1970s and into the ’80s. By 1981, their enthusiasm for showing the standard Yorkshire Terriers tapered off. The first documented black, white and tan puppy born was Schneeflockchen von Friedheck on January 20, 1984. Three months later, another black, white and tan puppy was born named Schneeman. These puppies were unique and rare, as they possessed the recessive piebald gene, a gene not usually found in Yorkies. During a visit one day, their vet and friend, Dr. Bardeleben, suggested they name the dogs after Mrs. Biewer. They chuckled as they contemplated the name, “Gertrud Biewer Yorkshire Terrier.” After much consideration, they found the “Biewer Yorkshire Terrier” to be a more suitable name. Documentation shows that both of these puppies were sold to the famous German singer, Margot Eskens, who suggested adding “a la Pom Pon” to their name. The Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom Pon made its actual public debut in 1986. The demand was hard to meet for these exclusive dogs, as the Biewer family did not produce many Biewer-type dogs and they were very selective where their dogs were placed. Many breeders tried to replicate the “Biewer Dog” by mixing other breeds together. It wasn’t long before Mr. Biewer became ill and was unable to help Mrs. Biewer carry on the dream they had set out to accomplish for the Biewer breed. Sadly, Mrs. Biewer soon phased out their breeding program in order to better care for her husband during his illness. The Biewer Terrier was introduced into mainstream America in 2003, at which time there were only a handful of breeders, both in Germany and the US alike. Noticing the development story of the Biewer did not match the dogs coming in from Germany, Myrna Torres and Gayle Pruett, now the BTCA president and director, respectively, contacted Mars Veterinary to see if they could help them determine if the Biewer was a Yorkshire Terrier or a purebred due to the introduction of other breeds. Mars Veterinary accepted the challenge and so began the process proving the Biewer Terrier a purebred dog and establishing it as such. This is the first time in the history of dog breeding that a dog has been proven to be a purebred using the tools science has to offer. The Biewer Terrier was now established as a purebred dog through the collection of genetic data rather than through pedigree documentation as is customary.
Standard
The Biewer Terrier is an elegant, longhaired, uniquely colored toy terrier with a breed signature ponytail. The coat parts down the middle, hanging straight and evenly on both sides of the body as though a comb has been used to part it. The back is level, with height at shoulders being equal to height at the croup. Although the outline of the dog gives the appearance of a square, the body length is slightly longer than the overall height. The tail is set high and carried well arched over the body, covered with a long luxurious plume. The Biewer Terrier has a lighthearted whimsical, childlike attitude. Although mischievous at times, they are obedient and make a loyal companion. Size, Proportion, Substance: Size- Height at the shoulders is the same as the height at the croup, measuring 7 to 11 inches, with weight being 4 to 8 lbs. Proportion- Length of body from prosternum to ischium is longer than over all height, making the dog off square although square is acceptable. Substance- Body is fine to medium boned with a level top line. Serious Fault- Over 8 lbs.
Nutrition
The Biewer Terrier may have a sensitive GI system and should be fed a low-protein, well-balanced diet. Kibble is recommended as canned food increases plaque build-up. If you notice your dog chewing on his feet and scratching a lot, change his food to a lamb or fish base. For the most part, you can free feed your Biewer, but if you notice weight gain, pick up that food and feed them 2 to 3 times per day. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Grooming
The Biewer Terrier has a long coat that requires daily brushing. There is minimal matting with the silkier coat, but the soft coats may get some mats. If you choose to keep your Biewer in a short coat, minimal grooming is needed. Good-quality products are recommended to keep the coat in its soft, silky condition.
Exercise
The Biewer Terrier is a rather mellow, easy-going dog. Their playful attitudes provide them with a natural means of self-exercising, along with the time spent playing with their human families. Indoor activities could include hide-and-seek, chasing a ball rolled along the floor, or teaching them new tricks. Biewers are also excellent on walks, quite agile and love to go on outings. If you live in an apartment, even short walks in the hallways can give your dog some exercise, especially during inclement weather.
Training
The Biewer’s dedication and loyalty make them the perfect family pet. Having a fun-loving, childlike attitude makes them a great companion for people of all ages and able to make friends with animals of any origin. Being extremely intelligent, they are easy to train, although potty training may take a little longer.
Health
Like all breeds, there may be some health issues. Some dogs may be faced with these health challenges in their lives, but the majority of Biewer Terriers are healthy dogs. Sensitive GI systems are common in the Biewer Terrier, so they may have an occasional soft or discolored stool. Although not life-threatening, if your dog has persistent problems with diarrhea or discolored stools, you should take him/her to the vet immediately.
