An elegant, longhaired, tri-colored toy terrier whose only purpose in life is to love and be loved — that's the Biewer Terrier (pronounced "beaver"). A relatively new breed that descends from the Yorkshire Terrier, the Biewer maintains a charming, whimsical attitude well into adulthood, and carrying around a toy or two is not surprising.
Small but with a big heart, the Biewer is beloved for its entertaining, loyal, and affectionate personality. These jokesters, athletes, and companions are all bundled up into one cute, tiny package — a small dog that wants nothing more than to be by your side, or in your lap, as often as possible.
The Biewer a la Pom Pon
The Biewer Terrier traces back to 1984 Germany, when two tricolor puppies were born in the kennel of experienced Yorkshire Terrier breeders Werner and Gertrude Biewer. A veterinarian friend suggested they call the dogs Biewer Yorkshire Terriers, and the breed made its official debut in 1986.
Soon afterward, famous German singer Margot Eskens, who bought two Biewer terriers — named "Schneeflockchen von Friedheck" and "Schneeman" — added the words "a la Pom Pon" (translation: "tassel or colorful ball of yarn") to the breed's name because of the dogs' long, high-set tails. Werner and Gertrude Biewer continued to develop a consistent population of the breed through selective breeding.
American dog fanciers began importing the breed from Germany in 2002, and the Biewer Terrier Club of America (BTCA) formed in 2006. In 2007, members contacted Mars Veterinary to determine whether the Biewer Terrier was a strain of the Yorkshire Terrier or a separate breed. The DNA analysis of blood samples showed the dogs clustered together in a way typical of a pure breed but separate from the Yorkshire Terrier — the first time a breed was confirmed to be purebred through genetic material rather than pedigree records. The breed was accepted into the AKC's Foundation Stock Service in 2014 and achieved full recognition into the Toy Group in 2021, becoming the 197th breed recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Elegant, Longhaired, and Tricolored
The Biewer Terrier is an elegant, longhaired, tri-colored toy terrier standing 7 to 11 inches at the shoulder and weighing 4 to 8 pounds. The coat parts down the middle, hanging straight and evenly on both sides of the body, and reaches nearly to the ground. The back is level, the body slightly longer than tall, and the tail is set high and carried well-arched over the body, covered with a long, flowing plume.
The breed is defined by its placement of tan markings on the head, in combinations of black or blue with tan, or tan and white, with a white chin and throat. Unlike its Yorkshire Terrier ancestor — whose tail is docked — the Biewer's long, plume-like tail is left natural. The small, erect, V-shaped ears are covered with hair except for the tips, which are shaved.
Fun-Loving, Childlike, and Devoted
The Biewer Terrier temperament is often described as lively, playful, and devoted. According to the breed standard, Biewers have a "fun-loving, childlike attitude" and are a friendly dog breed. These easy-going social butterflies get along with people and other pets alike — a bit of a Velcro dog that simply wants to love and be loved by its people.
Despite their small size, Biewer Terriers are surprisingly energetic, athletic, and intelligent — descended from hunting terriers, they want opportunities to problem-solve and play. They naturally tend to bark at new stimuli, a behavior that can be corrected with early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training.
Exercise and Activity
Biewer Terriers are energetic but don't have extremely high energy levels and don't need lots of rigorous exercise. One walk every day, plus some playtime — including active indoor play — will keep a Biewer satisfied. They are happy in any living situation, from apartments to houses, so long as they can spend plenty of time with you and have space to play and do zoomies.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 30–45 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 20–30 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
Because 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. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for keeping a toy dog active.
Training a Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terriers are smart, athletic dogs that instinctually love to explore and hunt, and they can be willful at times. According to the BTCA, pet parents should train their Biewer puppy using positive reinforcement methods, and crate training, basic cues, and proper leash walking are essential foundations.
Puppy obedience classes, once age-appropriately vaccinated, help ensure successful socialization. While they can be headstrong, their eagerness to please makes them responsive to patient, reward-based training. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Biewer Terrier
The Biewer Terrier's long, silky, tri-colored single coat is hypoallergenic and low-shedding, but it requires a lot of grooming care — a significant commitment in both time and money. Daily or regular brushing keeps the fine, straight coat tangle-free, with a distinctive ponytail tied on the head.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 3–4 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
To cut down on at-home grooming, a professional groomer can cut the hair short, though you'll still need to brush and bathe regularly. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a long-coated toy breed.
Feeding a Biewer Terrier
As a toy breed, the Biewer Terrier needs a high-quality, complete and balanced diet in small, measured portions. Feed two or three small meals a day rather than free-feeding, and adjust portions based on body condition and activity. Toy breeds can be prone to hypoglycemia when very young, so consistent feeding is important.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1/3–1/2 cup | Use a small-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 1/2–3/4 cup | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1/2 cup | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can guide you on portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Biewer Terrier has a relatively long lifespan, averaging 14 to 16 years with proper care. It is generally a healthy breed, though, like many small dogs, it can be prone to dental disease, patellar luxation, and a collapsed trachea. The breed's original piebald gene comes from a recessive gene in its Yorkshire Terrier ancestry.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Patellar luxation and eye screening | Discuss with your vet | Breeder screening (OFA/CERF) |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
Regular dental care, vet checkups, and appropriate vet-sized exercise help keep the Biewer healthy. The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
Biewer Terriers make excellent family pets and are great for first-time pet parents. They're affectionate and thrive on human interaction, so they need a home with family members who can provide regular social engagement and attention. They typically fit well in homes with children and other pets, especially when socialized from an early age — though children should always be taught how to gently interact with small dogs, with playtime supervised.
Despite their cute looks, they aren't teddy bears and need to be kept active with daily walks and play sessions. They can get destructive if bored or anxious, and may be prone to separation anxiety if left alone. If you're weighing whether a Biewer Terrier fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Biewer Terrier means committing to a high-maintenance grooming routine for its long, silky coat. The breed's terrier nature means it's headstrong and willful at times, needs daily exercise despite its tiny size, and can bark at new stimuli. Bored or anxious Biewers can become destructive, and the breed may suffer separation anxiety when left alone.
Yet for the right owner, the Biewer is a joy — a fun-loving, intelligent, devoted companion in an adorable package. From a German Yorkshire Terrier kennel in 1984 to family homes and the show ring, the whimsical tricolor toy has won hearts everywhere it goes. "Wunderbar," indeed.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Affectionate, devoted, and playful
- Hypoallergenic, low-shedding coat
- Great for first-time pet parents
- Happy in any size home
- Excellent with children and other pets
- Charming, whimsical personality
Disadvantages
- High-maintenance grooming requirement
- Can be headstrong and willful
- Prone to separation anxiety
- May bark at new stimuli
- Can be destructive if bored
- Small size requires gentle handling
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Biewer Terriers get? They stand 7–11 inches and weigh 4–8 pounds.
How long do Biewer Terriers live? Typically 14 to 16 years.
Are Biewer Terriers good family dogs? Yes — they're affectionate, friendly, and great for first-time owners.
Are Biewer Terriers hypoallergenic? Yes — they have a low-shedding coat and are considered hypoallergenic.
Are Biewer Terriers easy to train? They're smart but can be willful — positive reinforcement works best.
Are Biewer Terriers good with children? Yes, with supervision and teaching kids how to handle small dogs.
Are Biewer Terriers the same as Yorkshire Terriers? No — they descend from Yorkies but DNA testing confirmed them a separate breed.
Are Biewer Terriers good apartment dogs? Yes — they're happy in any size home with moderate daily exercise.
How is Biewer pronounced? "Beaver."
Do Biewer Terriers shed? Very little — their coat is low-shedding and hypoallergenic.
When was the Biewer Terrier recognized by the AKC? 2021, as the 197th AKC breed.
What health problems do Biewer Terriers have? They can be prone to dental disease, patellar luxation, and collapsed trachea.