Biewer Terrier Dog Breed Information

Group

Toy

Weight

1.81-3.62 kg

Height

17-27 cm

Lifespan

12-16 years

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About the Biewer Terrier

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

The Biewer Terrier may be a descendant of the Yorkshire Terrier, but it has a distinct character and flair all of its own. Although its roots are probably in Yorkshire, England, the Biewer Terrier was actually established in Germany.

Internationally, this breed also goes by the names of Biewer à la Pom Pon, Biewer Yorkshire, and Biewer Yorkie. The ‘Biewer’ part is actually pronounced like ‘beaver’.

In terms of appearance, the Biewer Terrier is long-haired and short, and when it comes to their personality, they are friendly, caring, and born entertainers. They are the perfect family pet! However, as with all pets, there are some habits and behavioural issues with the Biewer Terrier that you should be aware of before adopting.

In this breeder guide, we’ll go over all the main things you need to know about a Biewer!

What is the history & origin of the Biewer Terrier?

The story of the Biewer Terrier dog breed starts in 1984 in Hunsrück, a mountainous region in western Germany. Here, two passionate Yorkshire Terrier breeders, Gertrud and Werner Biewer, noticed something odd about one of the dogs in their regular litters. This dog possessed recessive piebald genes and, because of this, had 3 colours instead of the standard 2.

They decided to name this special pup Schneeflockchen von Friedheck, kickstarting the Biewer Terrier dog breed. They began to breed more, and the breed made its public debut in 1986. For a long time, the Biewers remained the sole breeders of the terrier type, and the demand for the dog became tough to meet.

For a while, the dog was seen as an exclusive canine only available to the rich. Many German celebrities promoted this idea, including singer Margot Eskens, who referred to the breed as Biewer Yorkshire Terrier as ‘la Pom Pon’.

Although several other kennels were established – under the close eye of Gertrud and Werner – popularity waned for the breed in the late 90s.

Luckily for the breed, the second wave of interest in the Biewer Terrier started in the 00s and continues today, thanks to it being introduced to America. The breed was finally recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a full, purebred toy group dog in 2021.

What is a Biewer Terrier breed?

Biewer Terriers are a newly recognized breed and probably a descendant of the Yorkshire Terrier. They are as small, adorable, and loving as Yorkshire Terriers, but feature piebald coats that come with 3 colours instead of 2. Their coats are white with mottled colours over the top.

They also share a number of characteristics with Yorkshires: as natural terriers, these dogs love to dig and are pretty territorial, particularly when it comes to other dogs getting close to their homes.

They’re very caring towards their owners and are regarded as the perfect choice for those looking for a sweet little pup to guard their homes.

Who is a Biewer Terrier best for?

Biewer Terriers are a good choice for those looking for a happy and easily-pleased companion as their first-time pup. Like a lot of dogs, they don’t like being left alone for extended periods of time and prefer their homes to be as lively as possible for most of the day. They like young kids to play with and adults to attend to their grooming and petting needs.

By nature, they are exceptional hunters of vermin and enjoy guarding the house. Although initially stand-offish when new guests arrive, they are quick to get familiar with new faces and will generally show friendliness once recognition is developed. They can also get along well with other pets, once formal introductions have been made!

They’re small dogs, so don’t require an excessive amount of walking per day – two 15-minute walks around the block will suffice. Their size also means they don’t need massive homes to thrive and are suitable for apartments.

Biewer Terrier Grooming & Shedding

Biewer Terriers require plenty of grooming, particularly if you let them grow out their coats to the max. The longer the coat, the more likely your Biewer Terrier will require daily brushing. For this reason, you have to be committed to a grooming routine to help keep their coats silky smooth and comfortable for them.

In terms of other husbandry commitments, it’s important to brush a Biewer Terrier’s teeth daily and trim their nails regularly.

Biewer Terriers do not shed in the same way as other dogs, but twice a year they outgrow their old coat to replace it with a new one. This gives them an unkempt look for about two weeks, which can easily be sorted through regular grooming and trimming.

Do Biewer Terriers bark a lot?

You may find your Biewer Terrier barking whenever they see another dog, cat, or person walking by their house whom they don’t recognise. The territorial instinct in them triggers them to bark loudly, in the hope of alerting their owners of the strangers approaching their abode.

They may also bark when excited, such as near dinner time, during play, or when a family member arrives back home. It is very unlikely that your Biewer Terrier will bark unprompted or at random.

What is the average weight & height of a Biewer Terrier dog?

Biewer Terriers are considered small dogs and weigh on average somewhere between 1.81kg and 3.62kg. They tend to be between 17cm and 27cm in height.

Are Biewer Terriers easy to train?

Biewer Terriers can grow to be stubborn, so it’s important to get them properly trained while in puppyhood. Training should primarily involve teaching them to stay and sit on command. It should also integrate biting control and socialization with other pups so that they can grow up to be as friendly and as good-natured as possible.

Your Biewer Terrier may have a tendency to chew furniture and other household items, which is another trait inherited by all terriers. To prevent this, you’ll need to supply them with plenty of chew toys to relieve their chew cravings. Despite their ancestry, Biewer Terriers seem to have less of a tendency for digging holes.

Biewer terriers respond particularly well to command words, which can be used to teach them to give you a paw and they also have been known to excel in dog sports.

How do Biewer Terriers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Biewer Terriers will be particularly attached to their master owner but will show eager friendliness to all members of the family. Their amiable personality permits them to be affable to all walks of life. Once they get to know a person, they will happily greet them whenever they return.

They thrive mostly on pleasing their owners and have an unlimited capacity for love and affection in return. Despite being small dogs, Biewer Terriers have plenty of energy to burn, and can happily play for extended periods with their family.

Although yappy, Biewer Terriers have generally more calming personalities than Yorkshire Terriers.

Does the Biewer Terrier have any common health issues?

Biewer Terriers are considered to be healthy dogs but may be predisposed to some of the health issues that Yorkshire Terriers face, such as retinal dysplasia and pancreatitis. There have also been some cases of Biewer Terriers suffering from necrotizing encephalitis as well as dental issues.

Like all dogs, Biewer Terriers need plenty of vet check-ups throughout their lives. It’s a good idea to schedule a yearly check-up with your veterinarian, outside of their vaccinations and dental check. Don’t forget to protect your pet against both endo and ecto parasites too!

Biewer Terriers can also suffer from sensitive gastrointestinal (GI) systems. Because of this, Biewer Terriers may suffer from discoloured or uncomfortable stools as well as diarrhea. It’s important to get a vet to examine a Biewer Terrier puppy who regularly suffers from stool issues.

What is the lifespan of a Biewer Terrier?

Biewer Terriers have an average lifespan of 16 years.

How much does a Biewer Terrier need to be fed?

Most Biewer Terriers have sensitive gastrointestinal (GI) systems, meaning they cannot be fed high-protein or many fatty foods. Each meal you give them should contain no more than 15% protein and 30% fat. A Biewer Terrier should be fed around 40-60g of food per day, dependent on their size.

How much can you expect to pay for a Biewer Terrier in Australia?

Being a newly recognised dog breed, you can expect to pay a significant figure for Biewer Terrier puppies in Australia. Prices will likely be upwards of $4,000.

Biewer Terrier FAQs

Are Biewer Terriers considered lap dogs?

Biewer Terriers live for attention from their owners, and if that means crawling up on their owner’s lap, then so be it! Biewer Terriers love cuddles from their owners and generally enjoy spending time on their laps.

Do Biewer Terriers suffer from separation anxiety?

Biewer Terriers should not be left alone for long periods as it can result in separation anxiety. This anxiety could manifest in excessive barking or destructive behaviours.

Are Biewer Terriers hypoallergenic dogs?

A Biewer Terrier dog will not shed, which means they could be a good option for those who suffer from dog allergies.

Are Biewer Terriers different from Yorkshire Terriers?

The Biewer Terrier breed is different from Yorkshire Terriers as they feature 3 colours on their coat, one of which is white. Yorkies only have 2 colours, which tend to be tan, gold, black, or blue.