Biewer Terrier

• ExerciseModerate

  A daily walk plus some playtime hits the spot.

• GroomingBrush a few times a week

  Brushing several times a week prevents mats.

• Living spaceApartment-friendly

  Happy in smaller homes with regular outings.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment12–15 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Patellar luxation · Dental issues · Tracheal collapse

The Biewer Terrier began in Germany in 1984, when two Yorkshire Terrier breeders, Werner and Gertrud Biewer, produced a puppy with a recessive piebald gene that gave a striking blue, white and gold tricolour coat. Careful breeding established it as a separate breed, and the AKC recognised it in the Toy group in 2021. Genetic testing has since confirmed it as distinct from the Yorkshire Terrier. Compared with the Yorkie, breeders and owners consistently describe the Biewer as softer, more playful and less sharp: friendly with strangers and other dogs, cheerful, and less inclined to the bossy terrier attitude. It is still lively and vocal, with a strong watchdog instinct and a wish to be involved in everything. It bonds closely and does not enjoy being left alone all day. Short daily walks and indoor play meet its exercise needs. The long silky single coat sheds very little but tangles quickly and needs brushing daily or every other day, plus trimming or a shorter pet clip if you would rather not maintain the full length. The health priorities are those of every toy breed and matter more than people expect: daily tooth brushing, a harness instead of a collar to protect the trachea, and care around jumps and stairs. Buy from a breeder who screens for patellar luxation and who is open about the protein-losing enteropathy and nephropathy documented in the breed.

• How much exercise does a Biewer Terrier need?

  Moderate. A daily walk plus some playtime hits the spot.

• How much grooming does a Biewer Terrier need?

  Brush a few times a week. Brushing several times a week prevents mats.

• Is a Biewer Terrier suited to apartment living?

  Apartment-friendly. Happy in smaller homes with regular outings.

• Is a Biewer Terrier a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Biewer Terrier live?

  12–15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Biewer Terrier?

  Keep an eye out for Patellar luxation, Dental issues, Tracheal collapse. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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