Biewer Terrier (original) (raw)
The Biewer Terrier is a toy terrier dog that is elegant and tri-colored. Moreover, it has long hair, making it all the more pretty.
A rare purebred dog, the Biewer Terrier, owes its breeding to the occurrence of a recessive piebald gene. Terriers are known to be energetic, friendly, and playful – making them one of the most desired dog breeds. While they can range in size, this pup is relatively small, reaching just 4 lbs. at its maximum weight.
Puppy terriers are extraordinarily playful. However, these dogs also maintain their beauty and charm while transitioning into adulthood.
Interestingly, the name Biewer is not phonetic. Instead of using a strong “w” sound, you say it in the same way as the word “beaver” is pronounced. As a plus for pet owners, the Biewer terrier is hypoallergenic, making it easy for owners to eliminate shedding and other allergens.
3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Biewer Terrier
Here are a few pros and cons of owning a Biewer Terrier:
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Small size Being a toy bog, these dogs are pretty small and compact in size which makes it easier for the owners to carry them around. | Low tolerance levelsIf you are looking for a dog that is calm and patient and mingles well with other dogs, this might not be the best pick for you. They tend to become a bit noisy around others. |
| Great companionsIf you are looking for a companion dog, this could a great choice for you. They have a fun-loving attitude, making them entertaining pets to engage with. | Despises rough behaviorTerriers want to be handled with gentle care. Younger children may be overwhelming for them, especially considering the innate desire to become rough with small animals. If you still want to get one of these dogs, make sure to supervise children carefully. |
| Great travel partners Biewer Terriers are great travel partners. Their compact stature and ability to live easily in small spaces are both distinct advantages. | Misses ownersEven though these dogs are relatively easy to train, they form a deep bond with their owners and are known to whine when they are away. While it is easy to take them along, they may need someone to keep them company when their owner is away. |
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Origin
The Biewer Terrier first emerged in Germany in 1984 when Yorkie breeders Werner and Gertrud Biewer noticed a striking anomaly amongst some of the pups in one of their litters: vibrant white fur interspersed with more traditional colors for the Yorkshire Terrier. The two sought to further develop this unique and beautiful trait over successive generations until the Biewer Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2021 as its own distinct breed. Prior genetic testing done in 2007 comparing Biewer Terriers and regular Yorkies had proven beyond a doubt that these dogs had become genetically diverse enough to no longer be purebred Yorkies but instead possessed enough traits of their own to be acknowledged as a new breed entirely.
Size and Weight
Biewer terriers only weigh about 4-8 lbs.
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These dogs are usually very small and most of them are about seven to eleven inches long. Meanwhile, most of them weigh around four to eight pounds. Small bodies are relatively common amongst terriers, which is part of their appeal to owners.
| Height | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 7-11 inches | 4-8lbs |
| Female | 7-11 inches | 4-8lbs |
Common Health Issues
There are many health concerns Biewer Terrier owners must keep an eye out for in order to keep this breed healthy.
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Like all the other pets, the Biewer Terrier is also prone to a number of health issues, including Distichiae. This condition naturally occurs as the result of the extra eyelash along the eyelid. Rather than lining up with the rest of the eyelashes, it sprouts from the meibomian gland, causing severe irritation.
Legge-Calve-Perthes Syndrome is another common issue, which happens when bone death begins to occur as the result of issues with blood flow. Eventually, the bone can lose its natural shape and break down painfully.
That’s hardly the only joint-related problem. In the knee, Biewer terriers are prone to a luxating patella, which is just an upscale way to describe a trick knee, causing the kneecap to move where it ought not to. It commonly occurs in terrier breeds, and the Biewer Terrier is no exception.
The blood and veins also are prone to problems in Biewer terries. They may suffer from a portosystemic shunt (an abnormal vein that transports the blood supply from the intestines to the heart) or malocclusions (improper teeth alignment while the mouth is closed). They are also at risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Therefore, some of the common health problems that these dogs suffer from include:
- Distichiae
- Legge-Calve-Perthes Syndrome
- Luxating Patella
- Portosystemic Shunt
- Hypoglycemia
- Malocclusions
Temperament
Biewer terriers make wonderful family pets.
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The temperament of these dogs is easygoing and does not bark much, though they tend to yip and become excited around new people. They are friendly, playful, and very energetic, which is part of the immense appeal.
They are great family as well as companion dogs and love to spend time with the owner’s family. Meanwhile, they are also great with children, though it is best to teach children the best way to handle a dog this small, as they are more delicate than larger dogs.
Biewer Terriers are attention seekers and love being the center of attention. Even though they are small in size, they can guard themselves against large dogs as well. They tolerate other animals well, making it easy to add them to a home that already has animals.
How to Take Care of a Biewer Terrier
There are many things to know about this breed before you bring a Biewer Terrier into your home.
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Considering how small and prone to health concerns the Biewer terrier can be, it is important to properly prepare the home for this sweet dog. Here are some things that you should keep in mind before adopting a Biewer Terrier as a pet dog:
The Best Dog Food for Biewer Terriers
A Biewer terrier should be given enough protein, fats, and carbohydrates as a part of their diet as they thrive on these. Meanwhile, adult terriers should be fed about thrice a day while puppies should be fed about four times a day as they have small stomachs that are not able to digest a lot of food in one go.
Biewer terriers tend to have a rather sensitive gastrointestinal tract, so they will not need much protein in their diet. Makes sure to avoid gluten and soy, which can irritate their stomach lining. In fact, the AKC recommends predominantly using dry dog foods, as there’s a risk of plaque accumulation with canned food.
To avoid hypoglycemia, make sure your Biewer Terrier eats a square meal ninety minutes prior to activity exercise. Because of this breed’s range of bone, joint, and jaw worries, owners should look for dog food with adequate calcium.
To address their unique health needs, A-Z Animals thinks the best dog food for Biewer Terriers is Purina Pro Plan Small Breed & Toy Breed Formula Adult Dry Dog Food.
This formula contains a careful balance of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals and vitamins that contribute to proper bone, and connective tissue formation and maintenance. This sets Biewer Terriers up for the healthiest bones, joints, and teeth possible.
Here’s where to buy Purina Pro Plan Small and Toy Breed Dog Food on Chewy or Amazon.
[lasso id=”409975″ link_id=”1762629″ ref=”amzn-purina-pro-plan-high-protein-dog-food-with-probiotics-for-dogs-shredded-blend-chicken-rice-formula-35-lb-bag”]
Maintenance and Grooming
The Biewer Terrier requires regular grooming. Grooming includes brushing their coat and fur and regularly bathing them. They will need regular cleaning and bruising of their single coat that would look shiny and would reflect in the sunshine once cleaned.
Training
These dogs are smart and easy to train but sometimes they can also be stubborn, creating training problems for the owner. Still, these dogs enjoy learning, so they listen well during these sessions.
With terriers, “small dog syndrome” can become common, making them feel inadequate so that they have to overcompensate with other behaviors.
Exercise
These dogs are active and need regular daily exercise. A routine walk or some playtime at home should be enough to fulfill the exercise requirements of these dogs.
Lack of exercise could cause negative and destructive behaviors to come up in the Biewer Terriers and they could indulge in digging and chewing instead.
Puppies
The Biewer Terrier puppies are to be taken care of the same way except that they need to be fed more times a day in comparison to adults as they have small stomachs and can’t take a lot of food in one go.
If you start training with puppies themselves, the results come out great as the dog would then develop habits from a very young age.
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Biewer Terriers and Children
Biewer terriers are absolute sweethearts and make perfect companions for children.
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Biewer Terriers make great family and companion dogs. They are active and playful and are especially great with children. They are known to be very friendly and playful with the children of the family.
As with any dog, it is important for parents to teach their children proper behavior to avoid detrimental damage. Since this dog only weighs 4 lbs. when it reaches its maximum weight, its compact body needs as much care as possible.
Similar Breeds
Biewer Terriers are often mistaken for Yorkies.
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As wonderful as the Biewer terrier is, it may not be for everyone. Here are a few dogs that are similar to Biewer Terriers:
Poodles: These are elegant and clever dogs with beautiful hairdos. They are just as loyal as the Biewer terrier, though they need much more social time and can be fairly vocal.
Maltese: These dogs are great family pets and are very cute to look at. They are small in size, much like the Biewer terrier. While they may nip while chasing (like the Biewer terrier), they are also perfect for owners that live in apartments. Learn more about the best dogs for apartment living here.
Yorkshire Terrier: These dogs have similar hair and are clever and elegant. They are known to be great family dogs, but they may not be the best choice for a first-time owner, due to the amount of care needed.
Famous Biewer Terriers
Several famous celebrities like Audrey Hepburn, Joan Rivers, Paris Hilton, Miley Cyrus, and Hilary Duff own Biewer Terriers as pets. In fact, part of the reason that this rare breed has become so popular is due to how similar they look to a Yorkie.
Due to the close relationship with the Yorkshire terrier, there are many pups that have been mislabeled as such. While many movies simply list Yorkshire terriers in their films, the white markings and small size could mean that there are many more Biewer terriers than Hollywood gives credit for.
Popular Names for Biewer Terriers
Here are some popular names for Biewer Terriers:
- Pepin
- Fonzie
- Chuckie
- Matti
- Pippi
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A Biewer Terrier is a small toy dog and is very friendly and energetic. These dogs are known to make great family and companion dogs. The pronunciation of Biewer is actually Beaver. These dogs are considered to be hypoallergenic which means that they rarely shed.
The pronunciation of Biewer is the same as the pronunciation of “beaver.” It is not a phonetic name.
Yes, it is also called the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier.
These dogs can get a bit yappy and do not warm up to strangers quickly.
The lifespan of the Biewer Terriers is about 12 to 15 years long.
A Biewer Terrier is an expensive dog and can cost between 3000to3000 to 3000to5000. Additional costs can come up to $2000 per year.
These dogs are known to be great with children and are very playful and energetic around them.
The lifespan of the Biewer Terriers is about 12 to 15 years long.
Biewer Terriers are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.
Biewer Terriers belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
Biewer Terriers belong to the phylum Chordata.
Biewer Terriers belong to the class Mammalia.
Biewer Terriers belong to the family Canidae.
Biewer Terriers belong to order Carnivora.
Biewer Terriers are covered in Fur.
The Biewer Terrier is a toy terrier dog and is elegant and tri-colored.