Biewer Terrier Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Biewer Yorkshire, also known as the Biewer Terrier or Biewer Yorkie, is a tiny pup, considered a toy breed. If you want to be sure to get the name right, know that it is pronounced similarly to “beaver” (BEE-vah).

You may confuse this small pup with the Yorkshire Terrier. It’s an easy mistake to make because, besides how much they look alike, the first Biewer Terrier was developed from two Yorkshire Terriers’ recessive piebald genes.

Breed Overview

However, the American Kennel Club has recognized Biewer Yorkshire as their own breed.¹ These dogs are joyful, spirited, and intelligent, with a happy-go-lucky temperament that charms children, novices, the elderlies, and adults alike. This toy breed might be small in stature but is massive in personality. They’ll stay loyal to their owner, though they can be somewhat hard to housetrain.

A Biewer Terrier is the kind of canine that you can feel good about carrying around when running errands or visiting friends. Plus, they are light shedders, so those with canine allergies can likely hang around them, and they’re also tiny enough to tag along on your vacations!

Keep reading for more insights on this toy pup!

Biewer Yorkshire Characteristics

Biewer Terrier

Biewer Yorkshires are rare, which makes them valuable and expensive. They are not for budget-conscious people, as you can spend a lot on a pup like this. Of course, this price tag reflects whether the breeder developed the Biewer Yorkshire from a prize-winning bloodline. These dogs are in high demand, which means you need to research and verify that you are getting your canine from a documented breeder. Ensure that the breeder provides you with proof of lineage and certification documents before you adopt your pup.

Biewer Yorkshires are known to be energetic puppies that love to be with their owners and will likely ask for a lot of playtime with you. They are great pets for first-time dog owners because they’re generally low-maintenance.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Biewer Terrier

For the most part, the Biewer Yorkshire is lightheaded and an easy-going pup that does not tend to bark a lot. Like many tiny dogs, these pups tend to have enormous personalities that don’t seem to fit in their toy bodies. They are friendly, playful, and amiable and love to be the star of the show.

The Biewer is adorable, but they don’t always behave adorably. Although these dogs are intelligent, their whimsical personality makes them stubborn and clownish at times. They enjoy getting into a bit of mischief and may chew a slipper or two. Biewer Yorkies are also a bit “yappy” and do not always warm up to strangers at first, so owners should expect extended barking when a new face is in the home. But they can be excellent watchdogs after undergoing proper socialization training.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Biewer Terriers may behave like typical toy breeds, but they are hearty, can be your hiking partner, and can accompany you on long walks. They have lots of energy and want nothing more than to play and receive lots of affection from their owners.

These loving pups tend to fit in well with people who love snuggling and cuddling, as they would choose to settle on their owners’ laps at any time. This exquisite dog gets along with children, though they tend to get timid and cautious around unpredictable and overly excited kids. For this reason, you may want to keep an eye on their interactions until the young children are of age to lead and play with the Biewer by themselves.

Biewers are active and love to explore, but they don’t require much exercise, only a few walks and occasional chase games. This trait makes them an excellent fit for busy households. Another good thing about this breed is that they are teeny tiny, and you can bring them along on your trips if you are always traveling.

This dog is an excellent option for any household setting, from seniors to singles and homes with kids. Plus, you can keep them indoors most of the time; just ensure that these little charmers get enough space to run and play in the home.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Biewer Yorkies should have no trouble blending in with other pets as long as you socialize them right from puppyhood. They can be the best fur sibling to other pets but tend to be shy and nervous if you introduce them to new pets without adequate socialization.

The Biewer is a terrier species. However, they don’t possess the terrier traits of digging behavior and high prey drive, making them pretty much harmless to other pets. The only problem is that their size can make them victims of birds of prey and larger animals, so you may need to fence your yard and avoid leaving them alone outside. Also, socialize them with your pet cat to eliminate too much chasing.

The Biewer may look small, but they are energetic and quick to stand up for themselves against larger threatening breeds.

Things to Know When Owning a Biewer Terrier

Biewer Terriers are considered hypoallergenic breeds because they shed very little. However, there’s no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic canine, so you may still exhibit allergic reactions if you expose yourself to them. These pups can be small, but they demand as much attention, care, and commitment as any other breed.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

These dogs are small but energetic and active, which means that their ideal diets should be high quality and formulated for small breeds with high energy. Since they are tiny, they can have a GI system that is more sensitive than that of most other canines, so providing them with high-fiber dog food might be a great idea. The best food option should feature chicken, beef, fish, or lamb as the primary ingredients. Also, look for dog food that doesn’t contain fillers like corn and soy.

Biewers are small and don’t tend to overfeed, so you can free-feed them if you want. That said, these pups tend to get overweight if overfed. Therefore, it’s best to stick to the regulated portions and feeding schedule of two to three feedings a day with only a few treats in between.

You can prevent plaque buildup, which is common in these breeds, by providing your canine friend dry food over wet food. Dry kibble helps scrape plaque off the teeth, while wet food tends to enable the plaque to build up.

A Biewer’s diet tends to change from their puppy years to adulthood, just like that of other dogs, and will continue right into old age. Therefore, it would be best to ask a vet to recommend the best feeding plan throughout your pup’s transitions.

Exercise 🐕

Biewer parents should ensure that their pets get daily exercise to help them work off their high energy levels. Regular playtimes will surely fulfill this pet’s needs for activities.

These little pups enjoy walks, trips to the park, and any activities, even if just to the front porch or the mailbox. You can also offer them mental stimulation with regular outdoor activities, such as playing chase.

Denying these pets any form of exercise risks them developing behavioral problems like hyperactivity, chewing, and digging.

Training 🎾

Biewer Terriers are pretty intelligent, which means they are capable of learning quickly. However, they require obedience training to mold them into friendly and loyal companions. You may want to keep their coats short if you intend to train your pet at agility, as long coats do not favor this kind of training.

The good thing about Biewer Yorkies is that they are eager, making them easy to work with. However, they may prolong the training process due to their independent, stubborn personalities.

Biewer Terriers can develop small dog syndrome just like most toy breeds if you don’t train them properly. They can be a little challenging to housebreak, and potty training can also take a little longer. However, training won’t be hard if you start early, remain consistent, and incorporate praise and rewards. It can work even better if you include kids in the training plan.

Grooming ✂️

These pups have long, straight, shiny, human-like hair that requires daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling, as it can grow down to the ground. You can shorten the coat to reduce the need for daily brushing or simply trim the hair’s ends to prevent it from dragging on the ground. Try using high-quality dog conditioners to smoothen your canine’s fur and keep it silky. An occasional bath will also leave the hair smelling fresh. Remember to use a latex band or a bow to keep your Biewer Yorkie’s hair out of their eyes.

It will also help if you trim your pup’s nails regularly using a clipper to avoid overgrowth, chipping, and splitting. You can do it yourself or ask a vet for help if you fear cutting the “quick” and causing it to overbleed. Also, check their ears regularly for debris and wax buildup that can cause ear infections. Brush their teeth regularly, as Biewers are prone to dental issues.

Grooming your pet is a bonding opportunity that helps create lasting relationships and memories.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Biewer Yorkshires aren’t prone to many severe health conditions, though vets still recommend regular checkups to ensure optimal well-being. Unfortunately, though, these pups share a bloodline with Yorkshire Terriers, which predisposes them to certain conditions.

Minor Conditions

Serious Conditions

Male vs. Female

Female Biewers are moodier than male Biewers, making them a little challenging for kids to handle. They also need more attention and affection and are more demanding than the boys, though both males and females require the same care.

Both Biewer sexes are adorable, tiny, and generally sweet, and you won’t discover a big difference in personalities based on sex alone. Their temperaments and behavior boil down to individual characters, training, and upbringing.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Biewer Yorkshire

1. They are not as meek as they look.

These dogs may be tiny, but they aren’t as resigned as they appear. They have lots of pride and confidence and love to show off.

You may want to be protective of this toy dog, though, as they are so lightweight that birds of prey like hawks can easily lift them off the ground and carry them off.

2. They got their name from their original breeders.

Gertrud and Werner Biewer bred the Biewer in Germany in 1984. They had been passionate lovers and breeders of the Yorkshire Terrier for 20 years and stumbled upon the Biewer after noticing the piebald coloration that one of their Yorkshire puppies inherited.

Their veterinarian suggested that they name the new breed after themselves!

3. They look almost exactly like the Yorkshire Terrier.

These Terriers look the same at first glance: They are both tiny and adorable and even sport the same shiny coat. The only real difference is the piebald strain that affects the Biewer’s coat color.

Final Thoughts

Biewer Yorkshires get along with everyone and make adorable cuddling buddies for anyone in need of furry hugs. You shouldn’t be afraid of a bit of grooming and extra attention, as your pup can look like a prize winner with just a little commitment.

How you want your pup to turn out comes down to the luck of the draw, sufficient socialization, and training.

Featured Image Credit: Svetlana Khoruzhaia, Shutterstock