Biewer Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the Biewer Terrier

The Biewer Terrier, pronounced like "beaver" in many English-speaking countries, is a small, long-coated toy dog whose most noticeable feature is its coloring. The silky coat is a mix of white, blue-black and gold or tan in a pattern that places color on the head and back and leaves the chest, legs and underside white. A part runs down the middle of the back, and the hair falls straight to either side, often to the floor in a dog kept in full coat.

Adults are small, with a level topline, a flat skull, a short muzzle and a high-set tail that arches over the back. Many owners keep the hair trimmed shorter for comfort. The breed is chosen for its size, its pleasant manner and its ease of keeping in small homes.

Temperament and family life

Biewers are cheerful, attached to their people and keen to be involved in whatever is going on. They are usually friendly with visitors once introduced, though some are initially cautious. A dog raised without enough socialization may bark more at unfamiliar people and noises.

The breed is better with calm, considerate older children than with toddlers. It is small and easy to injure by falling or being dropped. Most get along with other dogs, and many are happy with cats when properly introduced. Separation anxiety is a reasonable concern because the breed is bred for closeness, not independence.

Exercise and training

Daily walks and play in a small yard or around the house usually meet the Biewer's needs. It enjoys short outings, fetch indoors and learning small tricks. Hot or cold weather limits walks, since the breed is tiny and has no heavy undercoat.

Biewers are intelligent and respond well to reward-based training. House training can be slow in small dogs, so a fixed schedule, a pen or crate, and plenty of patience help. Barking and demand behaviors can develop if the dog is carried everywhere and never learns to settle alone, so early practice at short separations is useful.

Grooming and shedding

The silky single coat sheds little, which suits people who dislike loose hair, but it tangles easily and needs combing most days. Tangles form behind the ears, under the legs and on the belly. Many owners clip a "puppy cut" to reduce the work. Baths every few weeks keep the white areas clean, and hair around the eyes may be tied up or trimmed so it does not irritate them.

Brush the teeth often, since small dogs build tartar quickly, and trim the nails regularly. Check the ears for wax or debris.

Health

The breed is relatively new and has a limited gene pool, so health information is still developing. Conditions reported include patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease of the hip, tracheal collapse, dental problems and, in related terrier lines, portosystemic shunt, an abnormal blood vessel that bypasses the liver. Eye conditions and low blood sugar in young puppies are also noted.

Responsible breeders test for the shunt where possible, have patellas and hips examined and screen eyes. Ask to see their results. This is general information about the Biewer Terrier, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The breed was created in Germany in 1984, when the Biewer family, breeders of Yorkshire Terriers, produced a puppy with an unusual white and colored pattern, caused by a recessive gene. The dog was bred on, and its descendants were developed into a separate breed that took the family's name. The breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 2021, and it remains uncommon.

Is the Biewer Terrier right for you?

A Biewer suits a person or couple who want a small, portable and affectionate dog, are comfortable with regular grooming and are around for much of the day. It does well in apartments as long as barking is managed.

It is less suited to households with small children, to owners who want a dog that is happy to be left alone for long hours, and to anyone unwilling to groom. People who like the breed's look and size may compare it with the Yorkshire Terrier, from which it comes, or the Silky Terrier. The Havanese offers a similar coat with a slightly sturdier build.