Biewer Terrier E-Book

Giuseppe Maienza

• Herausgeber: Youcanprint
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

The Complete Biewer Terrier Handbook is an essential guide for those who wish to learn about, breed and care for this extraordinary breed. Through in-depth information on history, genetics, nutrition, health, training and grooming, the book provides practical and scientifically validated advice to ensure the well-being of your four-legged companion. Enriched with tables, explanatory pictures and detailed diagrams, this manual is the ideal reference for breeders, fanciers and responsible owners who want to offer their Biewer Terrier a long, healthy and happy life.

Leseprobe

BIEWER TERRIER

A guide

to make your little companion

healthy and happy

by

Stefania Politi

e

Giuseppe Maienza

Published in Agreement

With

Stefania Politi and Giuseppe Maienza

Cover: © Politi Images

Graphic design: Giuseppe Maienza

ISßN

© Copyright 2025, Giuseppe Maienza

First digital edition: March 20 25

All rights reserved.

This work is protected by copyright law.

It is not permitted to reproduce, duplicate or send any part of this document by electronic means or print.

The recording of this document is strictly prohibited.

Dedicated to:

To all people who love and protect animals, who devote time, care and affection to their four-legged friends every day.

To dogs, faithful companions of unconditional love, who fill our lives with joy, our days with sincere affection and our hearts with genuine emotion.

This manual is for you, to celebrate the special bond that unites us with them and to honour the respect, dedication and responsibility that every animal deserves. ❤️

Introduction

The Complete Biewer Terrier Handbook is a definitive, technical and detailed guide dedicated to the understanding, care and responsible management of this fascinating breed. From its genetic history to its daily needs, the handbook provides in-depth and scientifically accurate information, offering comprehensive support for both experienced breeders and keen owners.

Through chapters rich in specialised content, the reader will be guided through the origin and development of the Biewer Terrier, its distinctive physical characteristics and its lively and affectionate temperament. Ample space is devoted to nutrition in the different life stages, with detailed nutritional plans, indications on recommended products and strategies for the prevention of diet-related diseases.

The manual delves into essential veterinary practices, vaccination protocols and regular health checks, providing summary tables and clear diagrams to ensure your dog's well-being at every stage of his life. The section on genetics and the prevention of hereditary diseases offers a scientific look at available tests, responsible selection and the management of possible genetic predispositions.

Special focus is given to education and training, with methods based on positive reinforcement, suggestions for socialisation and management of problem behaviour. Hygiene and grooming, crucial for maintaining the beauty and health of the Biewer Terrier's silky coat, are covered with practical factsheets and expert advice.

The final sections of the handbook focus on responsible breeding, with guidelines for managing pregnancy, delivery and puppy care, and on caring for the senior dog, offering strategies for adapting diet, exercise and the home environment to the needs of senior dogs.

Enriched with explanatory pictures, summary tables, proportion diagrams and technical glossaries, this handbook is an indispensable tool for anyone wishing to breed, grow and care for a Biewer Terrier with the utmost competence and responsibility.

Summary

Dedicated to:

Introduction

Summary

Preface:

Introduction to the Importance of Responsible Biewer Terrier Care

A Brief History of Race and its Cultural Impact

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Biewer Terrier

1.1 History of the Race

1.2 Distinctive Physical Characteristics of the Biewer Terrier

1.3 Temperament and personality of the Biewer Terrier

Chapter 2: Genetics of the Biewer Terrier

2.1 Introduction to Canine Genetics

2.2 Specific genetic characteristics of the Biewer Terrier

2.3 Genetic tests available for the Biewer Terrier

2.4 Prevention of Hereditary Diseases in the Biewer Terrier

2.5 Resources and References for the Biewer Terrier

Chapter 3: Preparing for the Arrival of the Puppy

3.1 Creating a Safe Environment

3.2 Buying Essential Equipment

3.3 Adequate Feeding for Puppies

Chapter 4: Food and Nutrition

4.1 Specific Dietary Requirements for the Biewer Terrier

4.2 Recommended Food Choices for the Biewer Terrier

4.3 Portion Control and Frequency of Meals

4.4 Supplementation of Nutritional Supplements

4.5 Monitoring Health Through Diet

Chapter 5: Health Care

5.1 Regular visits to the vet

5.2 Vaccinations and Preventive Treatments

5.3 Management of Common Diseases in the Breed

Chapter 6: Basic Training

6.1 Principles of Positive Training

6.2 Basic Commands: Sit, Stay, Come

6.3 Socialisation with Other Animals and People

Chapter 7: Behaviour Management

7.1 Addressing Common Behavioural Problems

7.2 Working on Separation

7.3 Using Toys and Mental Activities

Chapter 8: Exercise and Activity

8.1 Walking and Outdoor Activities

8.2 Playing and Interacting with the Dog

8.3 Mental Activity to Stimulate the Dog's Intellect

Chapter 9: Hygiene and Grooming

9.1 Coat and Skin Care

9.2 Cleaning Eyes, Ears and Teeth

9.3 Cutting Nails Safely

Chapter 10: Responsible Reproduction

10.1 Decisions on Reproduction

10.2 Pregnancy and Childbirth Care

10.3 Caring for Newborn Puppies

Chapter 11: Ageing and Care of the Elderly

11.1 Physical and Behavioural Changes

11.2 Adaptations in Diet and Exercise

11.3 Palliative Care and Support in Difficult Moments

Appendices

A. Nutritional Tables

A. Checklist for the Daily Care of the Biewer Terrier in Various Life Stages

B. Vaccination Schemes and Health Checks

C. Glossary of Genetic and Medical Terms and Acronyms

Acknowledgements

About the author

BIEWER TERRIER

Preface:

Introduction to the Importance of Responsible Biewer Terrier Care

Welcome to the world of the Biewer Terrier, a breed that embodies elegance, vivacity and extraordinary affectivity. This handbook is dedicated to all those who wish to deepen their knowledge and improve their care of these beautiful dogs. Responsible care of a Biewer Terrier means not only meeting its physical needs but also a thorough understanding of its history, genetics and behavioural requirements, in order to promote a healthy and profound relationship between the dog and its owner.

Responsible care of a Biewer Terrier implies an ongoing commitment to educate and prepare properly before welcoming it into the family. Aspiring owners must be aware of the specific health, nutritional and behavioural needs of this breed. For example, the Biewer's characteristic long, silky coat requires regular care to prevent knots and skin irritations, while their liveliness requires proper grooming through play and regular exercise.

A Brief History of Race and its Cultural Impact

The Biewer Terrier was originally developed in Germany in the 1980s by Werner and Gertrude Biewer. This breed was born from a genetic mutation of a Yorkshire Terrier that resulted in a puppy with an unusual tricolour coat. Fascinated by this distinctive appearance, the Biewers began a selective breeding programme to establish the tricolour as a breed characteristic. Before long, Biewer Terriers became known for their beauty and became extremely popular with dog lovers.

The uniqueness of the Biewer Terrier and their affectionate character have made them particularly suitable not only as pets but also as therapy dogs, thanks to their ability to interact positively with humans and adapt to different environments. Their presence at dog shows and other public events has further strengthened their popularity, leading to growing interest in the breed internationally.

The Biewer Terrier has had a significant cultural impact, particularly in the United States and Europe, where their elegance and lively spirit have won many hearts. With recognition by various dog organisations, the breed has gained a prominent place in the dog world, promoting not only aesthetic beauty but also the health and well-being of dogs through responsible breeding standards.

In conclusion, the Biewer Terrier is not only a delightful companion but also a symbol of refinement and a harmonious relationship between man and animal. This manual aims to provide you with all the information you need to take the best possible care of these extraordinary dogs, ensuring that they live a full and satisfying life alongside their beloved owners.

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Biewer Terrier

1.1 History of the Race

RECONSTRUCTING THE ORIGINS OF THE BIEWER TERRIER

In the 1980s, in Germany, in the Yorkshire Terrier breeding farm of Mr. and Mrs. Biewer, the first Biewer Terrier specimens were born, basically Yorkshire Terriers with white patches of fur, hence tricolour.

In the early 1970s, Mr. and Mrs. Biewer were a couple who shared many hobbies and passions; he was a civil servant, she a hairdresser and they loved to travel, to go on holiday in a camper van, which was a real novelty in those years; when Mr. Werner Biewer, some eleven years older than his wife, retired, he devoted all his time to helping his beloved Gertrude realise her dream of breeding Yorkies.

It was during one of their trips that they decided to devote themselves to breeding Yorkshire Terriers and after selling the beauty salon and their home they moved to a new and much more spacious house in Hunsruck, Rhineland, to start breeding Yorkshire.

They started to attend dog shows with good results and during one of their trips to England they visited the 'Streamglen Kennel', where they purchased specimens to be placed

in their breeding programme.

It was from a litter born of subjects from this breeding that a tricolour Yorkshire puppy was born.

Mr. Biewer tried to register the puppies as 'Yorkshire Tricolour', but the breed association, with good reason, taking into account the standard, refused this 'irregular' registration. Mr. Werner Biewer was probably an 'all of a piece' man, at least judging by the way he behaved, and sure of his reasons he continued on his way, giving us the breed that today bears his name.

Let us take a step back, however, to understand how the Yorkshire Terrier breed came into being. If we pick up any book on the Yorkshire Terrier breed, we invariably find that in the 'cocktail' that gave rise to the breed, one of the ingredients constantly mentioned is the Maltese, to give extra length and silkiness to the coat, as well as the Skyeterrier, Clydesdale and Paisley terrier.

The first breeders never revealed the secret of their 'recipe', but from the iconographic and later photographic material on the breed, many authors agree on the presence of 'Maltese blood', which coincidentally, in a mating in the breeding of Mr. and Mrs. Biewer, produced puppies with white patches.

At this point, to think wrong is to think wrong, but it is often right: are we sure that the first and only time that a Yorkie mating has produced white-patched puppies was in the Biewer household? We maliciously lean towards no.

Let us put ourselves in the shoes of a breeder who has seen with his own eyes his two 'real' Yorkshires, perhaps bought for an important sum from an equally important breeding farm, generate even a single tricolour Yorkshire puppy, a vulgar half-breed! The first thing to do is NEVER EVER to repeat that mating which did not bear the hoped-for fruit, the second thing is to keep the event a secret so that one does not think that the subjects which generated these "half-breeds" are subjects of uncertain origin and of even more uncertain parentage.

An ordinary person with common sense would have buried his head in the sand and thought no more about it, but Mr and Mrs Biewer

They were probably more uncompromising, more inquisitive and more truth-loving than a person of common sense, and certainly not 'ordinary' people; they must have thought that if two 'pure' Yorkshires gave a 'different' offspring from the expected one, perhaps they should ask themselves why and perhaps select this unexpected trait. As it was simply an aesthetic trait and, according to subsequent popularity and appreciation, a pleasing one, there was no 'ethical' reason not to select it, it was simply going against the selection criteria of the breed and the club that protected it.

Let's take stock of the situation: Germany, 1980s, so no genetic tests available, a breeder takes out a tricolour Yorkshire and would like to register it in the studbook for what it is: a tricolour Yorkshire! The club that protects the breed, rightly so according to the standard, refuses the registration of tricolour Yorkshire puppies and the adventure that led us to our favourites begins.

There is no definite information as to which matings were made, the work in close inbreeding to fix the character is certain, otherwise we would not have reached the point of having several generations of 'Biewer Terriers', but the 'archive' material is lacking.

The Biewer couple selected their subjects for a number of years, one of their 'Biewer Terriers' was given to a famous German singer of the time, Margot Eskens; it was this event that added the now famous 'a là pompon' to the breed's name.

It seems that Schneeflockchen (that's the puppy's name, 'Snowflake') was brought, during a dinner to celebrate the Eskens' birthday, to the table on a silver tray with a 'cloche' to cover it, and when the waiter had lifted the cloche to reveal the 'dish', Margot Eskens exclaimed a phrase with '... a là pompon', which pleased Mr and Mrs Biewer so much that they wanted to add it to their name and christen the breed as 'Biewer terrier a là pompon'.

Thanks to a testimonial who was very famous in Germany at the time, the breed became very well known and many pseudo-breeders (today we would say dog breeders) decided to obtain 'Biewer-like' puppies with improbable alchemies mixing Yorkshire with West Highland White Terrier, Maltese and any small white dog.

After a few years (we have not been able to ascertain exactly when), Mr Biewer became seriously ill and despite the care given to him by Mrs Gertrude, passed away, leaving Mrs Biewer alone with a few dozen Biewer terriers to care for.

Here, too, it is unclear what happened; it seems that Mrs Biewer entrusted some subjects to people she trusted, others seem to have remained with her, but we have not been able to find any reliable information on what was the fate of the breed, which was widespread mostly in Germany, in those years.

Certain news comes to us, many years later, from the United States of America, where the BTCA (Biewer Terrier Club of America), then chaired by Gayle Pruett, which gathers together the majority of Biewer Terrier breeders in the country, after careful observation of the subjects born from many matings, realises that there is a need to shed light on the genetic origins of the breed.

These were the years in which the "Mars Test" was developed and used on a large scale, a genetic test that certifies that a subject belongs to the Biewer Terrier breed in an indisputable way. After the adoption of the Mars Test some subjects were excluded from breeding, precisely to have a basic genetic heritage that was as "pure" as possible and it was from these subjects that the American breeding started again to obtain the results that we can appreciate today.

In Europe, the breeding of the Biewer Terrier was, in the 1990s, almost exclusively German, under the aegis of the IBC (International Biewer Club), an organisation that has the merit of having maintained the breed's Books of Origin in difficult years and having allowed the registration of the litters that would form the basis for the breed's development. In more recent years, especially in Russia, the diffusion of the Biewer Terrier has been massive and starting from dogs with IBC pedigree (the only one available) Russian breeders have succeeded in selecting morphologically excellent subjects and that in our opinion represent, together with the US bred subjects, "The state of the art" of the breed. It is no coincidence that the breed standards of the two countries, both recently updated, are almost superimposable.

The breed has gained popularity, attracting the attention of dog lovers worldwide. Over the years, the Biewer Terrier has become a beloved companion for many families, appreciated not only for its charming appearance but also for its affectionate and lively character.

Today, the Biewer Terrier is recognised by several international dog organisations and continues to win the hearts of those seeking an intelligent, loyal and elegant-looking companion. Its unique history and deliberate development make it a fascinating and distinctive breed in the canine universe.

Figure 1: Biewer Terrier puppy with typical tricolour coat.

Diagram: Time Line of Race Development

Table 1: Main stages in the development of the Biewer Terrier breed.