Biewer Terrier
A happy accident of genetics — the Yorkie's tri-coloured, light-hearted cousin.
Vital stats
| Size | Toy · 18–28 cm |
| Weight | 2–4 kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–16 years |
| Energy | Moderate — 30 min/day plus play |
| Shedding | Minimal — fine, hair-like coat |
| Coat | Long, silky, straight · blue/black, white, gold |
| Group | Toy · AKC |
| Origin | Hunsrück, Germany |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
The Biewer Terrier by the numbers
The Biewer Terrier facts owners search for most — price, lifespan, weight, shedding and colours, in one place.
Less common, so expect a waitlist and some travel to a reputable breeder — which pushes the price up. Ongoing costs stay modest — it eats little and routine vet care sits at the lower end. Its coat also needs a professional groom every few weeks — a real line in the budget.
We don't quote a single figure: the real price swings with breeder, region, bloodline and health testing — and a rescue costs a fraction of a breeder's litter. Adopting is almost always the cheapest route.
Temperament
The Biewer began as a pure companion and it shows: this is a merry, dedicated lapdog with a whimsical, almost childlike streak, less sharp-edged than many terriers. It loves its people intensely, greets the world with optimism, and carries just enough Yorkshire ancestry to announce visitors with conviction.
Habits & quirks
Tail like a flag
The plumed tail arches over the back and waves almost constantly.
Perch seeking
It claims sofa backs and laps for a better view of household affairs.
Tiny town crier
Doorbells, deliveries and passing cats are all faithfully reported.
Pocket adventurer
Small enough to go everywhere — and firmly of the opinion that it should.
Health
The Biewer's health is mostly the small print that comes with a very small dog. Its teeth crowd in a little mouth, so dental care is the single most useful habit — brush regularly and expect routine cleanings. The bones are fine and easily hurt, so supervise children and discourage big leaps off the furniture. Tiny puppies also have tiny reserves and can drop their blood sugar, so keep meals regular early on. Buy from a breeder who health-tests, and none of this is hard — it's just the attention any toy dog earns.
Nutrition
| Grooming | Comb the silky coat daily to prevent tangles, or keep a shorter puppy trim; tie up or trim the topknot away from the eyes. |
| Feeding | Tiny dogs have tiny reserves — regular meals matter, especially for puppies prone to low blood sugar. |
| Handling | Fragile bones under the fluff: supervise children and discourage leaps from furniture. |
| Dental | Small mouths crowd teeth — brush regularly and expect routine dental care. |
A 2–4 kg dog runs on a tiny fuel tank, so regular meals matter more than they would for a big dog — especially in puppies, who can go hypoglycaemic if they skip food or burn off too much at play. Feed a good small-breed food in measured portions, keep an eye that a busy pup actually eats, and go easy on treats: on a frame this light, a few extra biscuits are a real weight gain.
Puppy guide
A Biewer puppy is tiny, merry and more fragile than it acts. Keep meals regular to steady its blood sugar, handle it gently and teach children to sit with it rather than carry it about, and block the big jumps on and off sofas that can hurt little legs. Socialise early so a confident, sociable adult grows out of it, start the daily coat handling now so grooming is never a fight, and get it used to having its mouth looked at for the dental care to come.
Training
The Biewer is softer and sunnier than most terriers — sociable, people-focused and keen to please, which makes it pleasant to train in short, upbeat, reward-based sessions. Two things are worth real effort: house-training, which takes patience in any toy breed, and calm about the doorbell, since a happy little watchdog will otherwise announce every arrival. Keep it gentle and consistent and a Biewer learns readily; it just wants the work to feel like fun.
Life expectancy
Biewer Terriers live 13–16 years. Like most toy breeds, the Biewer is long-lived, and the small stuff is what protects those years: good dental care, regular meals, a lean 2–4 kg frame, and care with jumps and handling so fragile bones stay whole. Buy from a breeder who health-tests, and a Biewer keeps you company for a long time.
Similar breeds
Breeds with a similar build and background — worth a look if this one isn't quite the fit.
Breeds that look like this
Common questions
Is a Biewer Terrier the same as a Yorkie?
It descends from Yorkshire Terriers but is now a genetically distinct breed, developed in Germany from 1984. The giveaway is the piebald tri-colour coat no standard Yorkie carries.
Are Biewer Terriers good with children?
They're friendly but tiny and easily injured, so they suit families with gentle, older children best. Toddlers and 2 kg dogs are a risky mix.
Do Biewer Terriers shed?
Barely — the fine, hair-like coat drops very little. The trade-off is daily combing to keep that long silk from matting.
Is the Biewer Terrier hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but the Biewer Terrier comes closer than most: its low-shedding coat releases less of the dander that triggers allergies. Many allergy sufferers manage well with this breed, but spend time around one before committing.
Is the Biewer Terrier easy to train?
Reasonably. The Biewer Terrier is trainable with consistency and rewards, though it isn't the quickest study. Keep sessions short and positive, and be patient with the basics like recall.