Biewer Terrier
比佛㹴
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Biewer Terrier (pronounced 'beaver') is a tricolour toy terrier that began in 1984 with a blue, white and gold puppy born to German Yorkshire Terrier breeders Werner and Gertrud Biewer, and — the CKC notes — is the first breed confirmed as purebred by genetic study rather than pedigree. Biewers are intelligent, devoted and amusing: happy-go-lucky lap dogs with a childlike attitude who carry toys about, alert you to visitors without constant barking, and make friends with people and animals alike. They are mellow and largely self-exercising, but the long silky coat needs daily brushing unless clipped short, and both the AKC and the parent club note a sensitive digestive system.
Facts
| Size | Toy |
|---|---|
| Height | 18–28cm |
| Weight | 1.8–3.7kg |
| Life expectancy | 16years |
| Breed group | AKC: toy |
| Role | Toy |
| Coat | Long coat |
| Shedding | 1/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Patellar luxation
A veterinary patella evaluation registered with OFA is one of the parent club's required tests for breeding stock. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Inherited eye conditions
The parent club's health statement requires an ACVO eye examination (recommended at 1, 3 and 6 years) and DNA tests for prcd-PRA and primary lens luxation before breeding. Ask your breeder which tests the parents had and your vet about eye screening.
Dental disease
The parent club says that, as a small breed, the Biewer suffers from some dental issues such as retained baby teeth and tartar build-up. Ask your vet to check the teeth at routine visits and about home tooth-brushing.
Sensitive digestion
Both the AKC and the parent club note that a sensitive gastrointestinal system is common in the breed — an occasional soft or discoloured stool that usually does well on a good diet. Ask your vet if diarrhoea or discoloured stools persist.
Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt)
A serum bile acid test registered with OFA is among the parent club's optional screenings, alongside cardiac, Legg-Calvé-Perthes, degenerative myelopathy and hyperuricosuria tests. Ask your vet if a puppy is small, unwell after meals or slow to grow.
Epilepsy
The parent club's health page lists canine seizures and paroxysmal dyskinesia (episodic movement disorders) among the conditions it is tracking in the breed. Ask your vet promptly if your dog has a seizure or an unexplained episode of abnormal movement.
Behaviour
Happy-go-lucky lap terrier
The AKC calls the Biewer a very dedicated, loyal family member that is friendly with strangers — a large percentage are happy-go-lucky dogs with a lighthearted, childlike attitude that like to carry toys in their mouths, quick to alert you to company but not constant barkers, extremely intelligent and easy to train although house-training may take a little longer. The CKC says it is intelligent, loyal and very devoted to its family, and quickly makes friends with both people and animals.
Mellow and self-exercising
The AKC calls the Biewer a rather mellow, easy-going dog whose playfulness gives it a natural way to exercise itself — hide-and-seek, chasing a rolled ball or learning tricks indoors — while also being agile, excellent on walks and fond of outings; in an apartment, even hallway walks help in bad weather. The CKC describes a hearty, athletic and confident breed that can be conditioned for long walks or hikes with age-appropriate training.
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Biewer Terrier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Biewer Terrier (Toy Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's 'Find a Biewer' FAQ describes an affectionate, playful and alert dog that can be vocal, though excessive barking can be managed with training; it suits gentle, respectful children with supervision because at four to eight pounds the dog is easily injured, needs moderate daily activity — short walks, playtime and mental stimulation — and is well suited to apartment life. It says Biewers are intelligent and eager to please but have the stubborn streak common to toy breeds, so positive reinforcement and patience are key; grooming is moderate to high, with daily brushing for a long coat though many owners choose a puppy cut; and they prefer company and can suffer separation anxiety if left alone too long.”
— Biewer Terrier Club of America — Find a Biewer (FAQ) via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Biewer Terrier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Biewer Terrier — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]Health Statement for the Biewer Terrier Club of America (December 2025) — Biewer Terrier Club of America (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Find a Biewer — FAQ — Biewer Terrier Club of America — Biewer Terrier Club of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Health & Research — Biewer Terrier Club of America — Biewer Terrier Club of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.