Breed History:

The Biewer Terrier is a small toy breed that originated in Germany during the 1980s. It was developed from Yorkshire Terriers when breeders Werner and Gertrud Biewer discovered a uniquely coloured puppy with a piebald coat pattern in one of their litters.

Rather than treating the unusual colouring as a fault, the Biewers selectively bred these dogs to establish a distinct breed with its own appearance and temperament. Over time, the Biewer Terrier became known for its elegant coat, cheerful personality, and affectionate nature.

Although closely related to the Yorkshire Terrier, the Biewer Terrier is now recognised as a separate breed by major kennel organisations, including the AKC in 2021.

Size: Small/Toy

Life Expectancy: 12–16 years

Breed Appearance:

The Biewer Terrier is a compact, elegant toy dog with a graceful and balanced structure. It has a flat head, dark expressive eyes, and erect V-shaped ears covered with silky hair.

Its most distinctive feature is its long, flowing, silky coat with unique tri-colour markings.

Common coat colours include:

• White, black, and tan

• White, blue, and gold

Unlike many terriers, the Biewer’s coat is soft and silky rather than wiry. The hair often parts naturally down the middle of the back and can grow floor length if left untrimmed.

The breed carries itself proudly with a lively and confident expression.

Breed Type – Companion/Toy Terrier:

The Biewer Terrier is an affectionate, cheerful, and playful companion breed. It enjoys human attention and forms close bonds with family members.

Despite its tiny size, the breed retains the lively curiosity and confidence associated with terriers. It is generally friendly with strangers and adapts well to family life.

The Biewer Terrier enjoys being involved in daily activities and usually gets along well with children, other dogs, and pets when socialised properly.

Training:

The Biewer Terrier is intelligent and eager to please, making training relatively straightforward.

Training should include:

• Basic obedience

• House training

• Early socialisation

• Leash manners

• Positive reinforcement techniques

Because of its sensitive nature, harsh corrections should be avoided.

The breed can excel in:

• Trick training

• Obedience

• Small-dog agility

• Therapy work

Consistency and patience help prevent stubborn small-dog behaviours from developing.

Health & Care:

The Biewer Terrier is generally healthy but may be prone to some small-breed health issues, including:

• Patellar luxation

• Dental problems

• Collapsing trachea

• Liver shunt

• Hypoglycaemia in puppies

Regular veterinary checkups, dental care, and proper nutrition are important for maintaining health.

Because of their small size, these dogs should be protected from rough handling and accidental injuries.

Living Conditions:

The Biewer Terrier adapts very well to apartment living and smaller homes due to its compact size and moderate exercise needs.

It thrives in homes where it receives companionship and attention. Long periods of isolation may lead to anxiety or excessive barking.

This breed is best suited to indoor living and should not be left outdoors for extended periods.

Exercise:

The Biewer Terrier has moderate energy levels and enjoys regular play and short walks.

Recommended activities include:

• Daily walks

• Indoor play sessions

• Interactive toys

• Trick training

• Gentle agility games

While energetic indoors, the breed does not require intense exercise compared to larger working breeds.

Grooming:

The Biewer Terrier requires significant coat maintenance to keep its silky hair healthy and tangle-free.

• Daily brushing for long coats

• Regular trimming if kept in a shorter style

• Frequent facial cleaning around the eyes

• Routine bathing every few weeks

• Dental care, nail trimming, and ear cleaning

Without proper grooming, the coat can mat easily.

Advantages:

• Affectionate and friendly temperament

• Adaptable to apartment living

• Intelligent and trainable

• Low exercise requirements

• Elegant and beautiful coat

• Good companion for families and seniors

Disadvantages:

• High grooming and coat maintenance needs

• Fragile due to very small size

• Can develop separation anxiety

• Prone to small-breed health issues

• May bark excessively if not trained

• Requires regular dental care