The Biewer Terrier has a fascinating history that spans over three decades. This adorable breed originated in Germany in the 1990s.
The Biewer Terrier was first bred by Werner and Gertrud Biewer, a German couple who wanted to create a small, affectionate dog with a unique appearance. Their vision came to life when they successfully bred a Yorkshire Terrier with a special coat pattern.
The Biewer Terrier's distinctive three-colored coat is one of its most recognizable features. This unique coat pattern is a result of the breed's ancestry, which includes the Yorkshire Terrier.
Origin and History
The Biewer Terrier's origin story is quite fascinating. In 1984, Gertrud and Werner Biewer, two passionate Yorkshire Terrier breeders in Germany, bred two Yorkshire Terriers with recessive piebald genes, resulting in the first Biewer Terrier.
These early Biewer Terriers were not intentionally bred, but rather an accidental discovery of a tricolored puppy, which eventually led to the creation of the Biewer Terrier breed. The Biewer Terrier was initially referred to as the Biewer Yorkshire.
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The Biewer Terrier's popularity waned in Germany by the year 2000, with a significant drop in breeders. However, their popularity was renewed once they were introduced to America. The American Kennel Club (AKC) inducted the Biewer Terrier into their Foundation Stock Service in 2014.
A genetic study in 2007 by Mars Veterinary found that the Biewer Terrier is a bonafide breed, stemming from the dominant traits of the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, and Havanese/Bichon Frise. This discovery sparked a debate among breeders with different theories about the breed's origins.
Mrs. Biewer joined the Biewer Terrier Club of America in 2007 to support the breed's recognition. In 2021, the AKC officially recognized the Biewer Terrier as a full, pure breed in the Toy Group.
For your interest: Akc Biewer Terrier
Becoming Recognized
The Biewer Terrier's journey to recognition began with a collaboration between two dedicated breeders, Pruett and Torres. They started working together in 2004, with Pruett importing the first Biewer Terriers from Germany.
Their efforts led to the breed's recognition by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2014. This was a significant milestone, as it was one of the first breeds to be recognized through genetic study instead of the traditional pedigree process.
Pruett and Torres worked tirelessly to establish a standard for the breed, and their daily conversations helped bridge the distance between them. They prioritized staying on course to achieve this goal, rather than focusing solely on breeding.
The breed's unique characteristics, such as its terrier qualities and lapdog personality, were key factors in its recognition. The AKC ultimately placed the Biewer Terrier in the Toy Group.
For your interest: Airedale Terrier Akc
Physical Characteristics
The Biewer terrier's physical characteristics are quite distinctive. They have a fine, straight, silky coat.
Their small size is a notable feature, typically weighing between 4-8 pounds. They generally stand between 7-11 inches tall.
One key difference between Biewer terriers and their parent breed, the Yorkshire terrier, is their tail. Biewer terriers are not traditionally docked, meaning their tail is left intact.
Their coat comes in two main color combinations: white, blue, and black, or white, black, and gold/tan. This coloration is due to a recessive piebald gene.
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Breed Information
The Biewer Terrier is a small dog breed that originated in Germany. They typically stand 7-11 inches tall and weigh 4-8 pounds.
Their long, silky coat is tricolored, featuring black, tan, and white colors. This beautiful coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
Biewer Terriers are known for their affectionate, playful, and intelligent nature, making them a great companion for many families. They are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to exercise, requiring only short daily walks to stay happy and healthy.
Here are some key breed characteristics:
- Breed group: Toy
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Exercise needs: Low
- Training: Easy to train
Biewer Terriers Not Intentionally Bred
Biewer Terriers were not intentionally bred like most other breeds.
A German Yorkie breeder was trying to produce Yorkies with even markings, but ended up with a tricolored puppy instead.
This accidental birth led to the creation of the Biewer Terrier.
This unique origin story makes the Biewer Terrier a special and interesting breed.
Their history is a testament to the unpredictability of animal breeding.
The Biewer Terrier's accidental creation has resulted in a distinct and charming breed.
Breed Information
The Biewer Terrier is a relatively small dog, typically weighing between four and eight pounds and standing between seven and eleven inches tall.
Their small size makes them a great fit for apartment living, as they require minimal exercise.
The Biewer Terrier originated in Germany in 1984, specifically in Hunstruck, where two Yorkshire Terriers with recessive piebald genes were bred by Gertrud and Werner Biewer.
Gertrud and Werner Biewer were passionate Yorkshire Terrier lovers who spent 20 years raising and breeding them before discovering the Biewer Terrier breed.
The Biewer Terrier has a long, silky, and tricolored coat, featuring black, tan, and white colors.
Their coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
The Biewer Terrier is a member of the Toy breed group and has a lifespan of 12-15 years.
Here are some key characteristics of the Biewer Terrier breed:
The Biewer Terrier is generally a healthy breed, but they can be prone to certain health issues, such as patellar luxation and portosystemic shunt.
Temperament & Intelligence
Biewer Terriers are often described as great family dogs, craving human companionship and forming strong bonds with their families.
They tend to be incredibly energetic, loving to play and go on walks, which can be a fantastic addition to the right home, but not every home can deal with their energetic nature.
These dogs are incredibly observant, tending to bark more than the average dog, and this isn't something that you can train out of them completely.
Their intelligence allows them to pick up on commands quickly, but getting them to listen to these commands in real-world situations can be a problem.
Biewer Terriers tend to be less stubborn than other terriers, but consistency in training is still key.
Socialization can help reduce their nosiness and barking at strangers, if they learn that not all people are new and scary.
For more insights, see: History of Great Danes Dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
What breeds make up a Biewer Terrier?
A Biewer Terrier is a cross between two Yorkshire Terriers, resulting from a rare genetic occurrence. Specifically, it's a purebred dog created from two Yorkies.
How rare are Biewer Terriers?
Biewer Terriers are a rare breed, with a relatively small population compared to other breeds. This rarity contributes to their unique status as a distinct breed.
How were Biewer Terriers made?
Biewer Terriers were created by breeding two Yorkshire Terriers with a recessive piebald gene. This unique breeding process resulted in a new toy dog breed.
Sources
- Biewer Terrier - Dog Breeds - American Kennel Club (akc.org)
- Biewer Terrier Club of America (biewerterrierclubofamerica.org)
- our club’s website (biewerterrierclubofamerica.org)
- "Biewer Terrier" (petmd.com)
- "American Kennel Club decrees the Biewer terrier an official breed" (aaha.org)
- "The Biewer a' la Pom Pon" (nationalpurebreddogday.com)
- "AKC Biewer Terrier History" (windsongbiewers.com)
- "Biewer Terrier History | From Germany to America" (biewerterrierclubofamerica.org)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) (ofa.org)
- Gertrud and Werner Biewer (biewerbca.org)
- relatively small (biewerterrierclubofamerica.org)
- Biewer Terrer Club of America Rescue (biewerterrierclubofamerica.org)
- Biewer Terrier Club of America (biewerterrierclubofamerica.org)
- https://a-z-animals.com/animals/biewer-terrier/ (a-z-animals.com)
- https://dogacademy.org/breeds/biewer-terrier (dogacademy.org)
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