Biewer Terrier Dog Breed Introduction
Biewer Terrier( pronounced beaver) is a tri-colored toy terrier breed that originated in Germany in 1984. It is popular for its a long-haired, soft-silky, and parti-colored coat with a feathered tail that curls over its back. The first puppy of this breed originated from a litter of Yorkshire Terrier that produced a black, white, and tan puppy from the breeding program of Mr. and Mrs. Biewer in Germany. However, the breed is yet to be recognized in its native country.
Fortunately, it earned full AKC recognition in 2021. From a research conducted in 2007 by Mars Veterinary geneticists, it was determined that Biewer Terriers is a bonafide breed that stems from the dominant traits of four other breeds; Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, and Bichon Frise or Havanese. Therefore, the research made Biewer Terriers the first breed in history to be recognized as a pure bred as a result of a genetic study as opposed to the normal pedigree documentation. This created a stage for a major division between the breeders with different theories and those who still believed it was a Yorkshire Terrier with a recessive piebald gene, hence were not convinced with the scientists’ discovery.
Biewer Terriers are versatile dogs that do well in a house, farm, or apartment. Despite their diminutive stature, these dogs also participate in obedience, dock diving, agility, and rally competitions. Biewer Terriers are regarded hypoallergenic dogs due to lack of an undercoat, low dander production, and low to non-shedding coat. A Biewer is a loyal, friendly, athletic, and happy-go-lucky dogs that make excellent pets for novice owners. They also possess a kidlike attitude and love to carry toys in their mouths. This is also an alert pooch that will bark to notify the owner of company or arrival. However, it is not a constant barker.
Biewer Terrier History | Origin
The Biewer Terriers originated in 1984 in Germany after a Yorkshire Terrier belonging to the breeding program of Gertrud and Werner Biewer gave birth to a pup that was tricolored ( black, white , and tan) instead of the normal bicolored coat of a Yorkie. Another, tricolored Yorkie was whelped three months later. Initially, the tricolored dogs were known as German Yorkshire Terrier or Biewer Yorkshire Terrier. This breed made its first public debut in Germany in 1986. The first Biewer Terriers arrived in the USA in 2003. In 2014, this breed was registered with AKC’s Foundation Stock Service. Later on, Biewer Terriers were assigned in the AKC Toy Group in April 2014 before earning full recognition in January 2021.
Biewer Terrier Lifespan
According to the American breed’s club, Biewer Terriers have a lifespan of 16 years.
Biewer Terrier Grooming
The Biewer Terrier has a silky or Soft coat that lacks an undercoat. It requires daily brushing if the pet has a long hair or weekly brushing if the coat has been trimmed. Before brushing the coat, spritz it with a water conditioner solution or a detangling spray to prevent hair breakage. In case of matting, wet the tangles with warm water and a little conditioner to work them out using your fingers.
This breed requires a bath once a week especially if it gets dirty to keep it clean. However, the underside of a male Biewer should be washed daily using a drop shampoo, damp cloth, and warm water. This is because the urine tends to collect on the underside of the body. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner designed for silky coated canines. After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the grooming products from the coat to prevent skin irritation. Use a clean damp washcloth to clean the eye corners or use a tearless shampoo around the eyes and head to avoid getting soap into the eyes.
Trim the nails every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent cracking, overgrowth, and splitting. Brush the teeth of a Biewer at least twice a week if not daily to remove tartar buildup using dog formulated toothpaste and toothbrush. Use an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to remove debris or wax buildup. Every other time, check the ears for signs of ear infection such as odor, dark discharge, or debris.
Biewer Terrier Haircuts
A Biewer that participates in conformation shows should have a floor-length coat that requires daily brushing. Although, pet Biewers can have their coats trimmed for easy maintenance. Some of the suitable haircuts for Biewer Terriers include:
Puppy Cut(short hair) – Unlike the puppy cut of other breeds, the hair on the body is trimmed to a length of 2 to 3 inches. Although, the hair on the face, legs, and around the ears is left a bit longer.
Schnauzer cut – To achieve this haircut, the hair on the body is clipped to an inch. Although, the hair is left a bit longer on all the legs but it is also shaped like a reversed taper. To get a full-schnauzer look the facial hair is left longer to fashion a mustache.
Westie Cut – This grooming style is inspired by the West Highland White Terrier. It is almost similar to a puppy cut. However, it has some disparities. To achieve a westie cut, the hair on the head is left longer while the hair on the body is clipped shorter to half an inch. The hair on the head is left longer for the owner to customize maybe by putting a little topknot on the head.
Three-layer cut – Few Biewers wear this haircut since it is a bit complicated. The hair on the body is cut two inches from the ground while the hair on the head, face, and ears is clipped to the shoulder length.
Biewer Terrier Shedding
A Biewer Terrier has a non to low shedding coat.
Biewer Terrier Coat
The Biewer Terrier has a soft-silky coat that lacks an undercoat.
Biewer Terrier Hypoallergenic
The Biewer Terriers are considered hypoallergenic toy dogs. They have a human-like coat that sheds at low to non-levels and produce less dander. Therefore, less likely to aggravate allergies. However canine experts argue there is no truly 100 % hypoallergenic breed. Therefore, owners should spend lots of time with a Biewer before adopting to ensure it does not trigger their allergies.
Biewer Terrier Training
A Biewer Terrier is an intelligent, loyal, fun-loving, and athletic dog. However, it is still a terrier and may be a bit stubborn. However, use of positive reinforcements methods such as treats, toys, verbal praise, playtime, and petting will encourage good behavior. Avoid using harsh correction methods like yelling. They are counterproductive. Start training immediately the pup joins your home at the age of 8 weeks. It will help the pet to soak in all the desirable behaviors before it gets inclined towards bad behaviors.
Raise a well-mannered, friendly, and well adjusted Biewer through socialization training. This trains exposes the dogs to a wide variety of people, animals, surfaces, places, sight, experiences, smell, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, lawn mowers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, whistles, and sirens. Enrolling Biewer Terriers in a puppy class also serves as a form of socialization. These classes enables the dog to interact with other canines. Start teaching basic command words such as come, sit, stay, lie down, and heel immediately the pet joins you home.
Teach one basic command at a time until the dog is well-acquainted before moving to the next command word. Keep the training sessions short for a period of 5 minutes distributed throughout the day to avoid boredom and distraction. Effectively housebreak a Biewer by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training. However, potty training may take a little bit longer. This is a toy-sized breed that will need frequent potty breaks every 20 to 30 minutes.
Biewer Terrier Temperament | Traits
- Versatile.
- Intelligent.
- Athletic.
- Childlike attitude.
- Loyal.
- Affectionate.
- Friendly.
- Playful.
- Devoted.
- Charming.
- Alert.
- Loving.
Biewer Terrier Exercise
This is an energetic and easy going dog with a playful attitude that act as a means of self-exercising. Some of the indoor exercise suitable for Biewer Terriers include teaching the dog new tricks, chasing a ball rolled along the floor, or playing hide-and-seek. These dogs also love to go for walks and outings. Owners who live in an apartment even short walks in the hallways will suffice as exercise especially during inclement weather.
Biewer Terrier Barking
Although not a constant barker, Biewer Terriers will bark to alert the owners of any company.
Biewer Terrier Height
Mature Biewer Terriers have a height of 7 to 11 inches ( approx. 18 to 28 cm ).
Biewer Terrier Weight
The Biewer Terriers have a weight of 4 to 8 pounds ( approx. 1.8 to 3.6 kg ).
Biewer Terrier Size
This is a toy-sized terrier with a height of 7 to 11 inches ( approx. 18 to 28 cm ) and a weight of 4 to 8 pounds ( approx. 1.8 to 3.6 kg ).
Biewer Terrier Health Issues
Generally, Biewer Terriers are healthy dogs. Although, they have sensitive gastrointestinal systems. For this reason, dogs may have an occasional discolored or soft stool. Even though the condition is not life threatening, owners should take their pets to the vet immediately. Some Biewers may also suffer from teeth problems especially when milk teeth fail to fall out as the permanent teeth erupt. The American breed club urges breeders to test their stock for lens luxation and progressive retinal atrophy.
Apart from Biewer Terriers, other dog breeds include:
Biewer Terrier Names
The Biewer parent may decide to get a name for the pet before it joins them from the breeder or days after the pet joins them home to understand more about a particular dog. Owners may get name inspirations from the German heritage, coat color and texture, personality, celebrity Biewer Terriers, books, brands, movies, television shows, songs, nature, and historical figures.
Regardless of where you source your name, ensure it freely rolls off your tongue and will never make you embarrassed when uttered out loud in the public places such parks and malls. Biewer Terriers and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels. Avoid giving your pooch a name that rhymes with the command word to avoid confusion.
If a Biewer owner settles with a long name, he or she should find a cute nickname for the dog. If a Biewer shares a name with any family member or guests who frequent your home, it may cause chaos. Some of the names that Biewer parents give to their pets include:
- Luna.
- Pixie.
- Loki.
- Rosie.
- Willow.
- Noodle.
- King.
- Leo.
- Noah.
- Zola.
- Lola.
- Bella, etc.
Biewer Terrier Colors
A Biewer Terrier may have a tricolored coat of black or blue, gold, or tan, and white in good symmetry. Majority of Biewers have a white, black, and tan coat.
Biewer Terrier Food
The amount of food that a Biewer feeds on depends on its age, activity level, metabolism, size, and body build. Youngsters tend to eat small portions of food 3 or 4 times a day due to high metabolism rates from when they start weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, Biewer Terriers should feed on a total two meals a day. Look out for the weight level and calorie consumption to avoid overfeeding especially with treats.
Biewer may feed on dry food, wet food, home made, or a raw diet depending on the budget and time of the pet parent. Although, this breed has a sensitive gastrointestinal system and should feed on a low-protein diet with food that includes 15 to 30 % fat and 15 % protein. Owners should resist the urge to feed their pets with high-fat table scraps like french fries or ham. Too much of high-table scraps may cause pancreatitis.
The commercial pooch food should be free of preservatives, chemicals, additives, Meat by-products, generic meat products, and fillers. The same goes to the snacks. Dry or wet food should also be formulated for toy-sized, puppies, adults, and senior depending on the age your Biewer. Check the physique of your pet to tell whether it is overweight or underweight.
If you can see the ribs, chances are the pet is underweight. However, if the ribs are not visible but can be felt without pressing hard, a Biewer Terrier has an ideal weight. If the ribs can’t be felt, the dog is overweight and should be exercised. Parents who want to switch to another quality food should gradually do this over a period of one month by mixing both new food and old food. As the weeks progresses, the amount of old food reduces as the new food increases until the Biewer is only feeding on new food during the fourth week.
Biewer Terrier Ears
The Biewer Terriers have small, V-shaped, and upright ears that are moderately wide set and covered with hair.
Do Biewer Terriers Shed
Yes. Biewer Terriers have a low to non-shedding coat. The shed hair is barely noticeable.
Are Biewer Terriers Hypoallergenic
Yes. Biewer Terriers are hypoallergenic Terriers that barely shed. They are also small in size and produce less dander hence less likely to aggravate allergies.
Biewer Terriers Quick Facts
- Biewer terrier is the 197th AKC recognized breed.
- The first dogs of Biewers came into the United States in 2003.
- Biewer Terriers like to carry toys in their mouths.