Biewer Terrier
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Connect with certified breeders who have Biewer Terrier puppies available.
Find Biewer Terrier BreedersGet to Know Biewer Terriers
- They are a relatively new breed: The breed was first developed in Germany in the 1980s and wasn't officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until 2021.
- Hair instead of fur: Like their Yorkshire Terrier ancestors, Biewer Terriers have hair instead of fur, which means they shed very little and are often tolerated by allergy sufferers.
- They were bred for companionship: Unlike many small breeds with working or hunting origins, Biewer Terriers were specifically bred to be loving, elegant lap dogs, making them ideal for families and apartment living.
- Their name includes a nod to their appearance: The original name given by the breeders, Biewer Yorkshire à la Pom Pon, refers to their fluffy, pom-pom-like look.
- They originated from a genetic surprise: Biewer Terriers were first bred from Yorkshire Terriers that unexpectedly carried a recessive piebald gene, resulting in their distinctive tri-color coat.
Breed History
The Biewer Terrier originated in Germany in the 1980s, when Werner and Gertrud Biewer, longtime Yorkshire Terrier breeders, noticed unique puppies born with piebald (white) coloring in their litters. These puppies carried a rare recessive gene that produced a striking tri-color coat—white, black, and tan—which set them apart from standard Yorkies. The Biewers began selectively breeding for this coloration, and the distinct line became known as the "Biewer Yorkshire Terrier à la Pom Pon." Over time, consistent breeding established the Biewer as a separate breed with its own characteristics and temperament. In 2021, the Biewer Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a member of the Toy Group, cementing its place as a charming and elegant companion dog.
Personality and Behaviour
- Loyal and Affectionate: Biewer Terriers form strong bonds with their families and love being close to their people. They’re affectionate lap dogs who thrive on companionship and attention.
- Playful and Energetic: Despite their small size, Biewers are lively and playful. They enjoy interactive games, toys, and short bursts of activity, making them entertaining companions.
- Alert and Confident: Biewer Terriers are naturally alert and may bark at unfamiliar sights or sounds. They carry themselves with confidence and are often fearless, sometimes forgetting just how small they really are.
Care
- Training: Biewer Terriers are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement methods like treats and praise. Early socialization and consistent, gentle training help curb stubbornness and encourage good behavior.
- Exercise Needs: They require moderate daily exercise, such as short walks and play sessions totaling about 30 minutes. This helps keep them mentally stimulated and physically healthy without overexertion.
- Grooming: Their long, silky coat demands daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles, plus regular professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain a neat appearance and skin health.
Biewer Terrier Summary
Weight
Lifespan
Exercise
Trainability
Temperament
GroomingWhat to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Biewer Terrier Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| ACVO Eye Exam | Eye Examination prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age. |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test | DNA based prcd-PRA test from an approved lab |
| Primary Lens Luxation | DNA based PLL results from an approved lab |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes | (Optional but recommended) OFA Legg-Calve-Perthes Radiographic Evaluation |
| Serum Bile Acid Test | (Optional but recommended) Serum Bile Acid Evaluation from an approved Lab. Results registered with OFA. |
| Degenerative Myelopathy | (Optional but recommended) DNA based DM test results from an approved lab |
| Hyperuricosuria | (Optional but recommended) DNA based HU test from an approved laboratory |
| Patellar Luxation | (Optional but recommended) Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA. |
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Biewer Terrier Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Biewer Terrier is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Biewer Terrier
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Biewer Terrier puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Biewer Terrier, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Biewer Terrier is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.
