Biewer Terrier: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care
History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for Pet Owners
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The Biewer terrier is a toy German dog with a tri-colored, long, silky coat and plume-like tail. A relatively new breed, the Biewer terrier is a descendant of the Yorkshire terrier. Commonly referred to as “Biewer” (pronounced like “beaver”) or simply “BT,” this small dog has a big heart and is beloved for their entertaining, loyal, and affectionate personality. You can expect them to want to be by your side—or in your lap—often, if not all the time. Biewer terriers make excellent family pets and are great for first-time pet parents. These dogs are jokesters, athletes, and companions all bundled up into one cute, tiny package.
Learn more about the characteristics, history, and care needs of the Biewer terrier.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Toy
HEIGHT: 7 to 11 inches
WEIGHT: 4 to 8 pounds
COAT: Long, silky single coat
COAT COLOR: Blue/black, gold/tan, or white
LIFE SPAN: 14 to 16 years
TEMPERAMENT: Loyal, friendly, affectionate, playful, intelligent
HYPOALLERGENIC: Yes
ORIGIN: Germany
Characteristics of the Biewer Terrier
While Biewer terriers' small stature can be deceiving, these teeny tiny dogs have larger-than-life personalities. Friendly, bright, and lighthearted, the ever-so sweet Biewer terrier would make a wonderful addition to the family. This breed is known for being an easy-going social butterfly—and a bit of a Velcro dog—getting along with people and other pets alike and simply wanting to love and be loved by their people. In households with children, it’s always best to teach kids how to gently interact with small dogs like the Biewer terrier and supervise playtime.
These small dogs are happy in any living situation, so long as they can spend plenty of time with you and have space to play and do zoomies. (Then subsequently, rest beside you once they’re tuckered out!) They usually bark only if they notice a stranger, fulfilling their duties as your pocket-sized protector.
Affection Level | High |
Friendliness | Medium |
Kid-Friendly | Medium |
Pet-Friendly | High |
Exercise Needs | Medium |
Playfulness | High |
Energy Level | Medium |
Trainability | Medium |
Intelligence | High |
Tendency to Bark | Medium |
Amount of Shedding | Low |
History of the Biewer Terrier
The Biewer terrier originated in 1984 in Germany with the arrival of a tri-colored puppy named Schneeflockchen von Friedheck in the kennel of Yorkshire terrier breeders Werner and Gertrude Biewer. The breed made its official debut in 1986 and quickly gained popularity. So much so that famous German schlager singer Margot Eskens, who bought two Biewer terriers, suggested adding “a la Pom Pon” (translation: “tassel or colorful ball of yarn”) to the name because of their long, high-set tails.
After Germany's kennel club for dogs deemed the Biewer terrier as "not for breeding," the Biewers became determined to further develop the breed and find a registry that would accept them, finding success in 1988.
The Biewer terrier made its way to America in 2002 and gained a rapidly growing fan base, resulting in the formation of the Biewer Terrier Club of America (BTCA) in 2006.
The following year, BTCA members requested that Mars Veterinary examine blood samples from Biewer terriers to find out whether the breed was a purebred or not. To their surprise, they discovered that the Biewer terrier isn't a strain of Yorkie, but rather, its own separate breed. This marked the first time that DNA testing determined a purebred dog, as opposed to pedigree records.
The Biewer terrier was accepted into the American Kennel Club (AKC) Foundation Stock Service in 2014 and became the 197th AKC-recognized breed in 2021.
Biewer Terrier Care
All dog breeds require regular exercise and enrichment to stay happy and healthy. Since Biewers are terriers, they’re naturally intelligent and athletic and are at their best when they can put their minds and bodies to work with basic training and light exercise. In terms of grooming, Biewer terriers can be high-maintenance depending on their coat length. These dogs are considered to be hypoallergenic and don’t shed much, making them a great choice for people with allergies.
Exercise
As much as Biewer terriers love being lap dogs, they also enjoy exercising. About 30–45 minutes a day is ideal for these little pooches. Going on leashed walks, playing fetch in a fenced-in yard, or practicing agility, are just a few examples of fun activities for Biewer terriers. Even so, they're more than happy to play indoors, too, no matter whether it’s playing hide-and-seek with their favorite squeaky toys, solving puzzle games, or chasing after a rolling tennis ball in the living room.
Grooming
The Biewer terrier is a single-coated breed that can be groomed at home. If you’d like your dog to have long locks kept in an adorable ponytail, they should be brushed daily to prevent mats and tangles. Some pet parents may opt for a short puppy cut to brush their Biewer terrier every few days instead. However, this will require regular haircuts.
In addition to brushing Biewer terriers’ coats, it’s essential to bathe them about twice monthly, brush their teeth regularly, and remove any eye mucus from the under-eye area as needed. Trim their nails, as well as any long hair in areas like their paw pads, around their ears, and around their behind.
Training
According to the BTCA, pet parents should train their BT puppy immediately using positive reinforcement methods. Biewer terriers are smart, athletic dogs who instinctually love to explore and hunt and can be willful at times. So, it's important they're crate trained and taught cues along with how to properly walk on a leash. Once they've been vaccinated and are old enough, they should also attend puppy obedience classes to be socialized successfully.
Biewer terriers thrive with enrichment and are generally easy to train. Provide them with a variety of interactive dog toys to keep them entertained. Dedicate time to training to not only exercise their minds but also strengthen your bond with your Biewer.
Common Health Problems
The Biewer terrier is a newer breed that's known to be relatively healthy. Responsible breeders always strive to maintain the highest breed standards. However, just as with any breed, some potential hereditary health problems can occur. These may include:
A sensitive digestive system
Before purchasing a Biewer terrier puppy, be sure to ask the breeder for proof of progressive retinal atrophy, primary lens luxation, and eye exams.
Diet and Nutrition
Biewer terriers should be fed high-quality, well-balanced dog food that's appropriate for their life stage. As puppies, it's recommended they're fed at least three times a day with kibble available to them at all times up until they're one year old. Once Biewer terriers reach adulthood, they can be fed 2–3 times a day.
If you suspect your dog may have a sensitive digestive system, consult your vet for dog food recommendations that may best suit their individual needs. When feeding treats, it's best to limit treats to no more than 10 percent of your dog's daily calories to prevent unwanted weight gain. Clean, fresh water should always be available for your dog.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Biewer Terrier
Considering the breed is still new, it’s become an in-demand breed and may be difficult to find one available for adoption. If you're considering purchasing a Biewer terrier, you may have to join a waitlist or travel when you come across a puppy available through a responsible breeder. Depending on pedigree and availability, a Biewer terrier can cost between $1,500 and $5,000 with the average price being about $3,500.
For more information to help you find a Biewer terrier, check out:
Biewer Terrier Overview
Biewer terriers can make great family pets and love being around their people. However, their long coat does require a lot of grooming, and they can get destructive if bored or anxious.
Pros of the Biewer Terrier
Fun-loving, intelligent, and devoted to their family
Can live in any size home with moderate daily exercise
Low-shedding coat
Cons of the Biewer Terrier
Requires regular grooming
Can be headstrong
May be prone to separation anxiety and engage in destructive behavior if left alone
More Dog Breeds and Further Research
As with any dog breed, make sure to do thorough research on the Biewer terrier to learn if the breed is compatible with your lifestyle. Talk with Biewer terrier owners, reputable breeders, rescue groups, and veterinary professionals for more information.
If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Biewer and a Yorkie?
Although Biewers and Yorkies look similar, the most notable difference between the two breeds is that a Biewer has a long, plume-like tail, whereas a Yorkie's tail is docked.
How much do Biewer terriers cost?
When purchased from a reputable breeder, a Biewer terrier could cost anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000. Although it's unlikely (but not impossible) to find these in-demand dogs at a shelter or rescue, the cost will be far less in comparison and may cost up to a few hundred dollars.
Are Biewer terriers high maintenance?
Biewer terriers' needs are moderate in terms of overall care. The most high-maintenance aspect of caring for a Biewer terrier is their grooming. If their hair is kept long, it requires daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles. To reduce the amount of time spent on grooming, a Biewer terrier should have their coats kept short with regular haircuts.
Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.
