Country of Origin:
The Biewer (pronounced ‘Bee-vair’), also known as the ‘Biewer Terrier’,
‘Biewer a la Pom Pon’, ‘Biewer Yorkshire Terrier’, ‘Biewer Yorkshire’,
or ‘Biewer Yorkie’ is a variant of the Yorkshire Terrier. The Biewer
originated in Hunsruck, Germany in 1984 when Werner and Gertrude
Biewer’s, award winning blue and tan Yorkshires ‘Darling von Friedheck’
and ‘Fru Fru von Friedheck’ bore a puppy, named ‘Scneeflocken von
Friedheck’, with a piebald coat (large, asymmetrical black and white
patches) due to gene mutation. The Biewers continued breeding their
Yorkshires to achieve four white legs, chest, belly and tip of the tail.
The Biewer Yorkshire was recognized by the ACH in 1989 and first
imported to America in 2003. The Biewer Terrier Club of America, Inc. is
the only American club supported by the founder of the Biewer Breed.
Size:
The Biewer is 20-23 cm (8-9 in) tall and weighs 2-3 kg (4-7 lbs).
Biewers have a small, flat head, level or scissors bite, dark,
intelligent eyes, and small, highly set, ‘V’-shaped ears. They have a
level back and tail carried high.
Coat:
The Biewer has a long, straight, silky coat. Its head can be two or
three-colored: black/blue, gold white; black/blue, gold, or gold, white
in good symmetry. Biewers have a white underbelly, chest, legs and tail
tip, and blue or black and white back. The color and texture of the coat
are perhaps the most important show trait. Show dogs are groomed with
the hair grown out to 3/4 or full body length and parted down the middle
of the back. Biewers have no undercoat and shed little.
Character:
Biewers become attached to their families, but most maintain some
measure of independence. The Biewer is lively, bold, and intelligent. It
has a childlike, playful personality that holds true to the terrier
breed. It barks when it senses danger.
Temperament:
The Biewer is tolerant of all children provided they respect their
personal space. Due to its small size and bold temperament the Biewer is
not recommended for young children unless carefully supervised. The
Biewer can occasionally be a bit too brave when dealing with larger
dogs, but gets along fine with cats and other household pets. Biewers
prefer life indoors, and are not suited to cold climates.
Care:
Show Biewers require intensive brushing and combing on a daily basis
and bathing every couple weeks. Many are trimmed professionally. The
Biewer’s hair should be kept out of its eyes by a latex band or a bow.
Pet Biewers usually have a shorter ‘puppy cut’ for easier maintenance.
For either cut, loose hairs should be regularly removed from ear
passages. Biewers have a lifespan of 12-15 years. Biewer puppies can be
susceptible to hypoglycemia (diagnosed by listless behavior and
shakiness). Biewers under 3 pounds are better suited for adults due to
their diminutive size.
Training:
The Biewer is intelligent and capable of learning quickly, but some
prolong the process with their independent, stubborn nature.
Activity:
The Biewer can have most of its needs met through indoor play, but
still prefers a daily walk or romp in a fenced-in yard. Biewers are well
suited to apartment life.