Biewer Terrier
The Biewer Terrier (pronounced "Beaver") is a piebald Yorkshire Terrier that was developed into a separate breed by German breeders Werner and Gertrud Biewer in 1984 after a piebald puppy was born in their Yorkshire Terrier kennel.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Germany
Lifespan
16 years
Weight
1.8–3.2 kg (4–7 lbs)
Height
20–28 cm (8–11 in)
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality toy breed food in small meals.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Biewer Terrier (pronounced "Beaver") is a piebald Yorkshire Terrier that was developed into a separate breed by German breeders Werner and Gertrud Biewer in 1984 after a piebald puppy was born in their Yorkshire Terrier kennel. The white colouring — unusual in Yorkies — was found to be caused by a recessive piebald gene. The Biewers developed the tricolour (blue/black, white, and gold) as a breed standard. DNA analysis in 2007 confirmed the Biewer Terrier as a genetically distinct breed from the Yorkshire Terrier — one of the few times DNA has been used to establish a breed's distinct status. It is the first breed to be recognised by AKC based primarily on DNA evidence.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A tiny, elegant, long-coated toy dog — same physical type as the Yorkshire Terrier but with the distinctive tricolour piebald pattern: white as the primary body colour with blue/black and gold patches. The long, silky coat flows to the ground when in full show coat. The tail is carried in a plume over the back.
Grooming
Very High
Shedding
Low
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Playful, devoted, and childlike in energy — the Biewer Terrier retains a kitten-like playfulness throughout its life. Friendly and affectionate. Good with children and other animals.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Moderate exercise — indoor play and walks sufficient. The long coat requires daily brushing or short, practical trim. Very high grooming commitment in full coat. Regular dental care.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
Patellar luxation. Dental disease. Gastrointestinal sensitivity — the breed can have a delicate stomach. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Hypoglycaemia in puppies.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
The Biewer Terrier is the first breed to be granted AKC recognition primarily based on genetic evidence — a 2007 DNA study by the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine confirmed the Biewer as genetically distinct from the Yorkshire Terrier.
The breed name is pronounced "Beaver" — after Werner and Gertrud Biewer of the Hunsrück region of Germany, whose Yorkshire Terrier breeding programme produced the first recognised piebald individual.
