Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terrier
OriginGermany
Traits
Height 7–11 in (18–28 cm)
Weight 4–8 lb (1.8–3.6 kg)
Coat Long hair
Color Blue, black, gold, tan, and white
Litter size 3-4
Life span 14-16 years
Kennel club standards
AKC standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Biewer Terrier (/ˌbiːvər ˈtɛriər/) is a toy dog of German descent that is the result of two Yorkshire terriers with a recessive piebald gene breeding. It is usually kept as a companion animal or a show dog. The Biewer terrier was recognized by the AKC in 2021.

History

The Biewer terrier was first bred in Germany in 1984 by breeders Werner and Gertrude Biewer after two tricolor puppies were born in their kennel. A veterinarian friend suggested that the new breed be called "Biewer Yorkshire terriers."[1][2] A pair of puppies named "Schneeflockchen von Friedheck" and "Schneeman" were both sold to singer Margot Eskens, who suggested adding “a la Pom Pon” to the breed's full name resulting in the full name of "Biewer Yorkshire terrier a la Pom Pon."[1][3]

A Biewer terrier with a trimmed coat

American dog enthusiasts began importing the breed from Germany to the United States in 2002. The Biewer terrier grew in popularity and the Biewer Terrier Club of America (BTCA) was formed in 2006 to promote the breed.[1] Members of the BTCA contacted Mars Veterinary to verify that the Biewer Terrier was a separate breed from the Yorkshire Terrier, After analyzing ten blood samples from the Biewer terrier, it was concluded that the breed was separate from the Yorkshire terrier.[1][4] The breed was admitted into the AKC's Foundation Stock Service in 2014 and became the 197th breed recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2021.[1][5][6][7]

Characteristics

Appearance

A black, gold and white Biewer terrier

The Biewer terrier is a small dog that closely resembles its parent breed, the Yorkshire terrier, with a fine, straight, silky coat that is considered hypoallergenic. Unlike the Yorkshire, the Biewer's tail is not traditionally docked and Biewer terriers come in two combinations of three colors, either white, blue, and black, or white, black, and gold/tan.[6][8] The coloration is a result of a preexisting recessive gene that selectes for piebald.[9][10] Biewers are generally between 4–8 lb (1.8–3.6 kg) and 7–11 in (18–28 cm)[8]

Temperament

Biewer terriers make affectionate and lively companions. These dogs are social, forming strong bonds with their owners and displaying a friendly demeanor towards strangers. Their playful and energetic disposition makes them suitable for a variety of activities, and they thrive on interaction and engagement with their human counterparts.[8][11]

Health

The Biewer terrier can suffer from multiple health issues including tracheal collapse, bladder stones, patellar luxation, congenital portosystemic shunt, and hypoglycemia.[12]

Additional Reading

  • Hoppendale, George (2018). Biewer Terrier. Biewer Terrier Complete Owners Manual. Biewer Terrier book for care, costs, feeding, grooming, health and training. Pesa Publishing. ISBN 9781910861868.
  • Jones, Athena (2021). The Complete Guide for Biewer Terrier: The essential guide to being a perfect owner and having an obedient, healthy, and happy Biewer Terrier. Independently published. ISBN 979-8467673851.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Biewer Terrier History | From Germany to America". 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  2. ↑ "AKC Biewer Terrier History". www.windsongbiewers.com. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  3. ↑ Day®, National Purebred Dog (2019-08-23). "The Biewer a' la Pom Pon". National Purebred Dog Day®. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  4. ↑ Radko, Anna; Podbielska, Angelika (2021). "Microsatellite DNA Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Parentage Testing in the Popular Dog Breeds in Poland". Genes. 12 (4) – via Pubmed Central.
  5. ↑ Green, Ranny (2021-04-27). "Meet the Biewer Terrier: Newest 2021 AKC-Recognized Breed". American Kennel Club. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  6. 1 2 McReynolds, Tony (2021-01-04). "American Kennel Club decrees the Biewer terrier an official breed". American Animal Hospital Association.
  7. ↑ "Meet the Biewer", DogWorld, vol. 96, no. 3
  8. 1 2 3 "STANDARD OF THE BIEWER TERRIER" (PDF). American Kennel Club. 2019-07-03.
  9. ↑ Kraemer, Eva-marie (2017). Der Kosmos-Hundeführer: Hunderassen kennenlernen [The Kosmos dog guide: Get to know dog breeds] (PDF) (in German) (6th ed.). Franckh Kosmos Verlag. p. 23. ISBN 978-3440149461.
  10. ↑ "Biewer Yorkshire Terrier | Informational Center". www.yorkieinfocenter.com. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  11. ↑ Slater, Georgia (2021-01-05). "American Kennel Club Recognizes New Toy Dog Breed — Meet the Biewer Terrier!". People.com.
  12. ↑ Vasquez, Erica (2023-11-22). "Biewer Terrier". PetMD. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
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