Biewer Terrier

The Biewer Terrier is a German breed that began with two Yorkshire Terriers and an unexpected piebald puppy.

History

In 1984 a pair of Yorkshire Terriers belonging to Werner and Gertrud Biewer produced a puppy with a piebald coat, caused by a recessive gene. The Biewers bred on from it, and the line was later recognised as a breed in its own right rather than a Yorkshire colour variety.

Temperament

The breed is known for being playful, affectionate and confident, more even-tempered than the Yorkshire it came from and closely attached to its people.

Care and training

Exercise needs are modest. The long silky coat needs daily brushing or a shorter clip. Housetraining a very small dog takes patience, and it dislikes being left alone.

Health

Known tendencies include patellar luxation, dental crowding and, in some lines, liver shunt — the usual concerns of the toy breeds behind it. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.