Biewer Terrier: The White Yorkshire with a Truly Original Coat
Biewer Terrier: The White Yorkshire with a Truly Original Coat
Written by Silvia Capelli
November 22, 2023
Even though not everyone is familiar with it, the Biewer Terrier is a small gem that is gaining increasing popularity.
This breed, often mistaken for its cousin the Yorkshire Terrier, stands out from the latter with its extraordinary coat, capturing the heart of everyone it meets.
It is precisely because of this unique coat that the Biewer Terrier is better known as the White Yorkshire or Black and White Yorkie.
In this article, we will explore in detail the fascinating world of Biewer Terriers, particularly describing the physical appearance that makes them so irresistible.
From their elegant multicolored fur to their characteristic bearing, the Biewer Terrier is a dog that deserves to be known and admired by all animal lovers.
Whether you are a prospective owner seeking information or simply a curious dog lover, you will surely be fascinated by this one-of-a-kind breed.
History of the Biewer Terrier
Have you heard of Biewer Terriers and wondered where they come from and why they are so unique and rare?
To find out, one must delve into the fascinating world of this breed, exploring its history and its journey from Europe to America.
The origin of the Biewer Terrier dates back to 1984 in the Hunsruck region of Germany.
Werner and Gertrude Biewer, after breeding and showing Yorkshire Terriers for twenty years, witnessed the birth of the first Biewer Terrier due to a recessive genetic mutation that appeared in their Yorkshire Terriers.
The two parent dogs were blue and brown in color and had won the title of young world champions in 1981 in Dortmund.
Their mating led to the birth of the first blue, white, and gold Biewer Terrier in January 1984.
This puppy with an extraordinary coat made the two breeders fall in love, who, thanks to careful selection, continued to produce specimens with the characteristic blue/black, white, and gold coloring in perfect symmetry.
Their bellies, chests, legs, and tail tips were typically white and silky, not curly, while the back had a blue/black color with white parts.
Mr. Biewer first presented his tricolor dogs at a show in Wiesbaden, Germany, in March 1988, calling them Black and White Yorkshire Terriers.
However, the Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH) denied acceptance of these dogs as a separate breed, defining them as "of the wrong color, not suitable for breeding".
Mr. Biewer did not accept this decision and began looking for a registry that would recognize his beloved dogs as a distinct breed.
The Allgemeiner Club der Hundefreunde Deutschland e.V. (ACH) was the
first club to recognize them as a breed separate from Yorkshire, and the dogs were registered as Biewer Yorkshire à la Pom Pon.
In 1989, the Biewer was also recognized as a separate breed by ACH German e.V.
Other breeders soon became interested in these small dogs and began to breed them.
By 2000, the Biewer had lost popularity in Germany, and the number of breeders had significantly decreased.
However, the Biewer's fortunes changed when this breed was introduced to America, revitalizing its popularity.
It was a breeder named Donna Hall who brought them to the United States in 2003.
She first saw this breed in Germany and immediately upon returning, brought some specimens with her and founded the first American Biewer Club.
The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club on January 4, 2021. However, it is not recognized by the FCI.
Character of the Biewer Terrier
The Biewer Terrier is a dog with a unique character that has captured the hearts of many dog lovers worldwide.
This breed is appreciated for a range of positive characteristics that make it an affectionate and desirable companion for families and individuals.
The Biewer Terrier is known for its love and devotion to the family. These dogs are extremely affectionate and develop strong bonds with their owners.
They are happiest when they are the center of attention and love spending time with people.
They are full of energy and vitality. They are always ready to play and explore, making them ideal playmates for active children.
However, it should be said that although they tend to have a good tolerance towards children, it is important to teach the little ones in the house how to interact correctly with the dog and respect its space.
Like the Yorkshire, the Biewer Terrier is a very small dog, and the exuberance of children, if excessive, could annoy it and provoke aggressive reactions.
The Biewer Terrier is an intelligent dog that responds well to positive training. They are dogs eager to learn new commands and tricks, which makes them easy to train if handled with patience and consistency.
The Biewer Terrier initially has a somewhat shy character with strangers and is usually cautious in their presence.
However, if socialized from a puppy, it can be friendly with the people it meets.
With the right socialization, the Biewer Terrier can get along well with other pets, including dogs of similar size and cats.
Supervision is still always recommended during interactions with other animals.
This breed is well adaptable to apartment life. Thanks to its compact size, the Biewer Terrier can live comfortably even in smaller spaces, as long as it receives the exercise and attention it needs.
It's an active and lively dog, but not excessively hyperactive. A bit of play and a daily walk will satisfy its energy needs.
Even if it doesn't require intense exercise, the Biewer Terrier appreciates walks and play sessions in the yard. Ensuring to satisfy its need for movement will contribute to its well-being.
This breed is not known to be aggressive, but many specimens seem to have little patience, which combined with a slight possessiveness towards the owner sometimes leads these dogs to growl, or give a light bite. But it is not a breed that bites by nature.
The strong protective instinct leads it to bark a lot and often to be dominant, so it should be educated from a young age to control this behavior.
Curiosities about the Biewer Terrier
The first registration of the Biewer Terrier breed was with the name "Biewer Yorkshire à la Pom Pon".
The name "à la Pom Pon" comes from a very nice story about one of these specimens. During a dinner one evening, the
husband of singer Margot Eskens gifted her a Biewer Yorkshire puppy, which he presented on a tray.
Accompanying it was a note with the phrase “chien à la Pompon”. The word in French translates to tassel or colorful ball of wool, a perfect description for the dog's distinctive coat.
Physical Characteristics of the Biewer Terrier
This breed is not recognized by the FCI and the federations of many other countries, while it is recognized in the United States.
For this description, we have therefore based ourselves on the breed standards of the AKC.
The traits are very similar, if not identical, to those of the Yorkshire, apart from the color of the coat, of course.
Size
The Biewer Terrier exists in only one variant, which must adhere to very precise breed standard measurements.
Height at the withers: 17-27 cm, weight 2-3 kg
The female is slightly shorter in height but has the same weight.
Type of Fur and Coat
The long hair is smooth and silky, and falls straight (never wavy) and evenly on both sides with a natural parting that goes from the nose to the tail. The coat is continuously growing, and its length should never compromise the dog's movements. The texture is that of silk, not wool, and the coat must always appear shiny and healthy. The coat lacks an undercoat, making this breed considered hypoallergenic.
Colors
The coat of the Biewer Terrier breed comes in two variants:
Black Tan and White
Blue Tan and White
Head
The head of the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier is rather small and flat, the skull is not too prominent, and the muzzle is not too long. The eyes are dark, medium-sized, and not protruding, the ears are short, small, V-shaped, and tawny in color, with short hair. The nose is entirely black. The teeth are regular and well arranged, and the jaw closes perfectly in a scissor bite.
Body
Compact, lightweight but sturdy, straight backline with an arched back, straight limbs, and round feet. The Biewer Yorkshire Terrier has a naturally slender and well-proportioned shape.
Tail
With abundant hair, carried higher than the backline.
How long does the Biewer Terrier live?
The Yorkie Biewer is a very long-lived dog, with a life expectancy of a good 13-15 years.
Biewer Terrier Health Issues
Despite not having particularly delicate health, this type of terrier can suffer from the most common diseases of small dogs, or from genetic diseases typical of the breed. Among the most frequent are:
Legg-Perthes Disease: A degenerative condition that affects the head of the femur (thigh bone) and can lead to pain and lameness. It often requires surgical intervention to improve the dog's quality of life.
Tracheal Collapse: This involves the collapse or narrowing of the airways, which can cause breathing difficulties. This condition is more common in small dogs like the Biewer Terrier.
Patellar Luxation and Dysplasia: These issues concern the patella, the small bone that covers the knee. Luxation means that the patella comes out of its normal position, while dysplasia is a malformation of the joint. Both can cause pain and difficulty walking.
Osteoarthritis: This is a degenerative joint condition that can affect older dogs, leading to joint pain and stiffness.
Ear Infections and Ear Canal Diseases: These conditions involve inflammation and infection of the outer ear. They are more common in dogs with long, drooping ears, like the Biewer Terrier.
Eye Disorders: These can include issues such as cataracts (opacity of the lens), retinal dysplasia (retinal abnormality), and retinal atrophy (degeneration of the retina). They can affect the dog's vision.
Dental Problems: These include gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), dental caries, and dental infections. Regular dental hygiene is essential to prevent them.
Portosystemic Shunt: This is a liver disease where blood bypasses the liver, preventing its ability to filter toxins. It can cause symptoms such as lethargy and gastrointestinal disorders. As explained in this study, it's common in Yorkshire Terriers, and in many cases leads to the dog's death or the decision to euthanize.
Hyperadrenocorticism: This is another hormonal disorder involving the adrenal glands and can cause symptoms like increased thirst, increased appetite, and changes in behavior.
Kidney Diseases: Some Biewer Terriers may develop kidney problems, such as chronic renal failure.
What does the Biewer Terrier eat?
Our white Yorkshire is quite a foodie, and care must be taken not to overdo food and snacks to prevent obesity, and consequently, diabetes or cholesterol.
Feeding the Biewer Terrier Puppy
Weaning of the Biewer Terrier puppy begins from the first month of age. From that date, you can start to introduce, in addition to mother's milk or artificial milk formula, specific food for puppies or lean minced meat, starting with one meal a day in combination with mother's milk.
Between the first and second month, meals based on solid and wet food for the litter should be given about 3/4 times a day, and three from the second month of life. You can then continue with three meals or reduce to two.
Feeding the Adult Biewer Terrier
Being a small-sized dog, it is advisable to administer at least two meals a day. The meals must be balanced and contain the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals.
The safest choice is the classic kibble, provided it is of good quality, always adhering to the recommended doses for weight and age.
Homemade Dog Diet
If you prefer not to feed industrial food and want to cook for your dog, the most suitable choice for the preparation of homemade food falls on primary products to be served mainly boiled.
Meals must contain carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables in the right balance, and be administered in the correct dose based on weight and energy expenditure.
To learn more about how to feed your furry friend in the healthiest and tastiest way, read our guides:
Biewer Terriers have a single-layer coat, which means they should not have an undercoat.
This makes the breed hypoallergenic, but the continuously growing coat presents a disadvantage: grooming must be frequent, cuts should be done no longer than every two months, and regular brushing is required.
While it's better to rely on a professional groomer for haircuts, regular maintenance can be managed at home.
You will need some products:
A special brush for long-haired dogs
Gentle shampoo for long-haired dogs (or whitening shampoo for white coats, or specific for dark coats)
Detangling conditioner (you can opt for a whitening conditioner as well)
Leave-in detangler to facilitate brushing (and perhaps a dry shampoo to use between washes)
Electric nail file for dogs or nail clippers
Eye wipes or eye stain cleaner
Moistening wipes for ear cleaning, or an earwax dissolving cleaner for the ear canal
Finger tooth wipes, if your dog is reluctant to have its teeth cleaned with a toothbrush
Grooming kit with a blower or hairdryer, or you can try a drying brush, which is very practical
Light trimming clippers, if you decide to do some touch-ups yourself
Brushing
Brushing should be done every 2 days, or daily. Some suggest not using a brush with small balls at the end of the bristles as they tend to pull and break the hair, but those without balls might hurt the dog in the case of deep brushing.
Whatever tool you choose, make sure to untangle knots thoroughly without hurting your furry friend's delicate skin.
The best comb is a metal one with long teeth, and for the area around the eyes, you can use a fine-toothed flea comb.
Brushing should be done before bathing to remove all tangles that would be difficult to untangle later.
It's better to brush the Biewer Terrier after lightly misting with a mixture of conditioner and water. Never brush a Biewer Terrier when it's completely dry, as this could damage the coat.
For dealing with difficult knots, it's better to wet them with warm water, add a bit of conditioner, and work them with your fingers, or do it during the bath.
You can also use this method with a metal comb while carefully removing the tangle.
Bathing
The hair of Yorkie Biewers is similar to human hair, but it's essential not to use human shampoo on them, as dogs have a different pH balance compared to humans. Using human shampoo can cause dryness, itching, flaking, and sometimes allergic reactions on their skin.
Wet the dog thoroughly, apply the shampoo and massage deeply, then rinse and do the same with the conditioner. Always rinse the coat well after shampoo and conditioner.
Drying
When using a hairdryer or blower to dry your dog, make sure to adjust the temperature. Remember that their skin is very delicate, and you can easily burn them. Always place a towel or a rubber mat underneath them so they have good stability and don't slip and get hurt.
Trimming
If needed, you can slightly shorten the hair fringes and trim them, and shorten the hair around the eyes, mouth, and genitals.
If you use clippers, make sure to be very gentle, and if you use scissors, use only those with rounded tips specifically for dog grooming.
Who is the Biewer Terrier Suitable For?
The Biewer Terrier is suitable for practically anyone, whether they are experienced dog lovers or first-time pet families. This breed forms strong attachments to all family members and is sociable, intelligent, affectionate, and obedient. They have healthy energy levels and are very playful.
They adapt well to home life and have a personality similar to the Yorkshire Terrier but without the hunting instincts. As they have never been bred for hunting, they are less likely to run away.
The Biewer Terrier is also suitable for people who suffer from allergies to dog fur since it doesn't have an undercoat.
They adapt well to living with cats and other animals, including larger dog breeds.
Who is the Biewer Terrier Not Suitable For?
The Biewer Terrier may not be suitable for individuals who do not have the budget for frequent professional grooming or the time and willingness for home grooming.
Unfortunately, they tend to bark quite a bit, so they might not be the best choice for apartment living, especially if you have neighbors who are not tolerant of noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Articles You Might Be Interested In
How to Effectively and Painlessly Remove Knots from Dog's Fur
How to Make Your Dog's Coat Shiny and Soft Naturally
The Morkie, the Unique and Wonderful Maltese Yorkshire Crossbreed
Author's Note
I invite all readers to share their experiences on this topic in the comments section.
Any information you wish to share about health, character, products, and advice on training or diet will help us create a great community of owners who not only love dogs but also know how to manage them in the best way.
Sources:
Welcome to Pure Delight Biewer Terriers – Biewer History
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