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.
Size: The Biewer is (8-10 in) tall and weighs (4-8 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. Very smart dogs that learn very fast.
