Toy group

Biewer Terrier

A playful, tricoloured lap dog with Yorkie roots and a sunny temperament.

Biewer Terriers are tiny, long-coated toy dogs with striking tricolour markings. They are cheerful, affectionate and sociable, and their low-shedding coat needs daily care or a practical short clip.

Height
7–11 in18–28 cm
Weight
4–8 lb2–4 kg
Life expectancy
12–16 years
Size
Toy
Group
Toy
Origin
Germany

Coat: Long, silky, straight single coat. Colours: Tricolour: white, black or blue, and gold.

At a glance

Exercise Requirement2.0 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"3.5 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability3.0 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation2.5 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level4.5 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness4.0 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety3.0 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness4.0 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive2.5 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking3.5 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level1.0 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden4.5 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency1.0 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability5.0 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness3.5 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level2.5 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

Biewers are playful, friendly and devoted to their people. They are usually sociable with visitors and other pets and love to be carried and cuddled.

They can be vocal and are sometimes stubborn about house-training. Because they are so small, they are easily hurt by rough play and falls.

Living with a Biewer Terrier

Exercise

About 20–30 minutes of short walks and indoor play daily. Ideal for apartments.

Grooming

A full coat needs daily brushing; many owners keep a short “puppy cut”. Brush teeth daily and tie up the topknot to keep hair out of the eyes.

Training

Bright and eager; keep sessions short and positive. House-training may take extra time — an indoor toilet area helps.

Kids & other pets

Best with adults or older, gentle children. Usually friendly with other pets.

Time alone

Prefers company and may bark when alone. Build alone time gradually from puppyhood.

Home fit

Adapts well to apartments and smaller homes when daily needs are met.

Is a Biewer Terrier right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Biewer Terrier matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Biewer Terrier typically lives 12–16 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Patellar luxation

    Loose kneecaps are common in toy breeds; watch for skipping.

  • Dental disease

    Tiny jaws crowd the teeth; brush daily and expect professional cleanings.

  • Portosystemic shunt

    A congenital liver blood-vessel defect; bile acid testing can detect it.

  • Hypoglycaemia

    Very small puppies can develop dangerously low blood sugar if they miss meals.

Ask a breeder for

  • Patella evaluation
  • Eye examination
  • Liver function (bile acid) testing

Sources: OFA health testing guidance: Biewer Terrier; Biewer Terrier Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $900–$1,800 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks adds roughly $500–$900 a year.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

In 1984 Werner and Gertrud Biewer, Yorkshire Terrier breeders in Germany, produced a puppy with a recessive piebald gene giving white markings. They bred for this pattern, creating the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier.

DNA studies later showed the Biewer to be genetically distinct enough to be considered its own breed. The AKC recognised the Biewer Terrier in 2021.

Did you know?

  • The breed traces back to a single piebald Yorkshire Terrier puppy born in 1984.
  • A genetic study helped establish the Biewer as a breed distinct from the Yorkshire Terrier.
  • The name is pronounced “beaver”.

Library guides for Biewer Terrier owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Biewer Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier?
Biewers descend from Yorkies but are a separate breed with white in their tricolour coat and a generally softer temperament.
Are Biewers hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but Biewers shed very little.
Are Biewer Terriers good apartment dogs?
Yes — they are tiny and need little exercise.