Biewer Terrier Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Personality & Facts
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| Height: | 7 – 11 inches |
| Weight: | 4 – 8 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 15 years |
| Colors: | White, brown, black, blue, cream, tricolor |
| Suitable for: | Active households, children, small yards |
| Temperament: | High-energy, wary of strangers, talkative |
The Biewer Terrier is a tiny little dog, considered a toy breed, featuring long elegant hair and a happy-go-lucky attitude that is sure to charm kids and adults alike. The Biewer Terrier is a rare breed that is similar to the Yorkshire Terrier but is bred with the recessive piebald gene that the Yorkshire doesn’t have. For this reason, there is some debate about whether the Biewer Terrier is a truly original breed or whether it’s simply a variation of the Yorkshire Terrier.
No matter what anyone thinks, the Biewer Terrier is recognized by the American Kennel Club as a breed all of its own. Tiny in stature but big in personality, this breed will never let you down as a loyal companion. This is the kind of dog that you can carry around with you when you’re running errands around town or visiting friends. The Biewer Terrier is easy to take along on vacation too!
Biewer Terrier Puppies
Due to the rare nature of this breed, Biewer Terriers are not for the budget-conscious individual. Many Biewer Terriers that are sold by breeders have been bred from a line of prize-winning champions, which lends to the high price tag of this breed. You can expect any reputable breeder to provide you with a health certification and proof of lineage upon adopting one of their puppies.
When you bring a Biewer Terrier home, be ready for a heart-warming experience. The Biewer Terrier is excitable and fun-loving, but it isn’t considered a highly active breed. This is a breed that does well with training and typically enjoys a long and healthy life.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Biewer Terrier
1. They’re not so different than Yorkshire Terriers.
The only real difference between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Biewer Terrier is a recessive gene that affects the coloring of the coat. The simple addition of this gene is what sets the Biewer apart from the Yorkshire.
2. They’re named after the original breeders.
The Biewer (pronounced beava or beaver) Terrier was originally bred in Germany 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Biewer after a successful run of breeding Yorkshire Terriers. It’s said that the new breed is named after the couple at the suggestion of their veterinarian.
3. They’re not as meek as they look.
Biewer Terriers may be small in stature, but they aren’t nearly as meek as they might look. This breed is confident and proud. It enjoys showing off. And it’s common to see a toy hanging out of a Biewer’s mouth while behaving as if they own the world.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Biewer Terrier 🧠
While the Biewer Terrier is elegant looking, it doesn’t always behave very elegantly. This breed loves to play and clown around. They enjoy getting into a little mischief, and they have been known to chew up a slipper or two. But these enjoyable little dogs are smart and up to the task of learning how to sit, lay, and stay.
Biewer Terriers should be socialized from a young age, so they learn how to get along with other animals. But even with regular socialization, these pooches tend to be wary of strangers. So, owners should expect some barking and investigating when someone new is introduced into the social scene.
While their long hair keeps them from excelling at agility training, the practice isn’t impossible if the coat is kept short. Obedience training is a better option for those looking to mold their Biewer Terrier into a friendly and loyal companion.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
This beautiful pure breed does get along with kids, but the Biewer Terrier can be cautious and timid around young children who are excited and unpredictable. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the dog and the kids until the kids are old enough to train and lead the dog themselves.
Biewer Terriers don’t need a lot of exercise due to their sheer size. A few walks a week should do the trick, which makes them the perfect pet option for busy families. It’s easy to travel with these dogs too, so they can go just about anywhere the family goes. A fenced yard for unleashed play would be nice, but it isn’t a necessity as this little guy has enough room to run and play in the average apartment or house.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
As long as they have an opportunity to socialize regularly from the time they are puppies, Biewer Terriers should have no problem interacting with other dogs and even cats. In fact, they tend to be wonderful fur-siblings with other animals. But without proper socialization, it can be tough to introduce new animals to this breed. Owners should make it a point to introduce new dogs to their Biewer Terriers on a regular basis.
Those who already own a pet should be able to integrate a Biewer Terrier into the household if it’s a young puppy or has been socialized before adoption. Cats should be introduced slowly, and supervision should take place during the introduction to ensure that no chasing ensues.
Things to Know When Owning a Biewer Terrier:
This breed sports a long, luxurious coat of hair that sheds very little. Biewer Terriers are considered hypoallergenic, but some people still exhibit allergic reactions when exposed to them. Although small, owning one of these dogs takes just as much work and commitment as it does when owning any other dog.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Biewer Terrier is prone to developing a sensitive GI tract, so feeding them a diet that includes plenty of fiber is a good idea. Choose a food that features chicken, lamb, fish, or beef as one of the first ingredients and look for a food that is free of fillers like soy and corn.
Dry food is a better choice than wet because it helps to scrub plaque off the teeth as where wet food tends to let the plaque build-up. Biewer Terriers aren’t known to over-eat so free feeding them is acceptable. However, if weight gain is noticed it’s advisable to implement 2-3 feedings a day instead.
Exercise 🐕
The nature of the Biewer Terrier is calm, but they have a playful side that tends to keep them active enough to meet their exercise needs. Still, these little guys and gals enjoy outings of all kinds, even if just to the mailbox out in front of the house or apartment building. Indoor play and training activities will help round out this breed’s activity levels as time goes on.
Even though the Biewer Terrier never really needs to leave the house to manage their exercise needs, they do need to stimulate and exercise their brains with regular outdoor excursions. Outdoor play should be a regular part of your week. Walks through the neighborhood and trips to the park should be planned at least a couple of times a month.
Training 🦮
The Biewer Terrier’s eagerness to please makes them easy to work with when it comes time to train them. While potty training may take a little longer than you would like, any other training you practice with your pooch should be a breeze overall.
It’s a good idea to consider finding an obedience trainer for the family to work with while this breed is still a puppy to ensure that proper handling and positive reinforcements are in place when training the dog on your own. This is especially important if young children will be a big part of the dog’s training life.
Grooming ✂️
These dogs have long, straight, silky, human-like hair that grows all the way down to the ground. It can quickly get matted and dirty if it isn’t brushed on a daily basis. Owners can opt to have their pooch’s hair cut short so that it requires minimal maintenance. Others choose to leave the hair long and simply trim the ends so that it doesn’t drag on the ground.
High-quality conditioners made specifically for dogs can be used to keep the hair silky and smooth. An occasional bath will keep the hair smelling fresh. These dogs’ nails need to be trimmed every few weeks to keep them from chipping and splitting.
And to minimize the risk of infections, wax should be gently cleaned out of the ears from time to time. The good news is that all this grooming offers owners and pups the opportunity to bond with one another and create a lasting relationship that will never be forgotten.
Health and Conditions ❤️
There aren’t many serious health conditions to worry about as the owner of a Biewer Terrier, but vets tend to do tests periodically to ensure optimal health. These tests may include liver ultrasounds, bile acid surveys, and x-rays of various kinds.
Male vs Female
Female Biewer Terriers tend to be moodier than males, which can make them a little tougher for children to handle. Both males and female Biewer Terriers love attention, but the girls are typically a little needier in this area. They’re also a bit more demanding when it comes to getting what they want. Both sexes are super sweet and loving overall. In the end, most owners won’t notice a big difference in temperament and behavior based on sex alone. It all boils down to individual personality.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a small breed dog that’s adorable and fun to cuddle up with, the Biewer Terrier might be the one for you. You shouldn’t be afraid of daily grooming, but with some commitment, your pooch will look like a prize winner. While not incessant, these tiny fellas do like to bark — so be ready to hear some occasional talking. We think families of all kinds, couples, and singles would enjoy sharing their lives with a breed like this one.
See Also:
- 21 Terrier Mixed Breeds: An Overview (With Pictures)
- 111 Unique Names For Biewer Terriers: Ideas for Cute Canines
Featured Image Credit: Dominique Bradette, Shutterstock
