Biewer

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Biewer
5 Month Old Biewer Yorkshire Terrier Puppy
Alternative names
Biewer Yorkshire Terrier
Country of origin
Germany
Common nicknames
Biewer Yorkie
Classification and breed standards
Not recognized by any major kennel club

The Biewer is a rare breed of toy dog.

[edit] History

The breed is seldom found outside Germany, its country of origin. The breed was first imported into the USA in 2003.

The Biewer (pronounced Bee-vair) Yorkshire a la Pom Pon originated in Hunsruck, Germany in 1984. Werner and Gertrude Biewer started the first Biewer Yorkshire through a gene mutation, also known as a recessive piebald gene, in their Yorkshire Terriers.

The master parents were "Darling von Friedheck" and "Fru Fru von Friedheck". Both dogs were blue and tan and were world youth winners in 1981 at Dortmund. Their breeding brought the first blue, white, and golden Biewer Yorkshire, "Schneeflocken von Friedheck", born in January of 1984.

Mr. Biewer continued breeding his colored Yorkies to achieve their white bellies and four white paws. In 1989 the Biewer Yorkshire was accepted as its own breed with the ACH German e.V.

The breed standard is that of a Yorkshire Terrier except for the coloring. The head must have three colors: black or blue, white, and gold in good symmetry. The belly, chest, legs, and the tip of the tail is white. The tail is full. The back is blue or black with white in it. The hair is silky, not curly.

[edit] Breed recognition

Biewer fanciers are working towards recognition of the breed in the United States. The IABCA was a member of the German organization who had approved the Biewer in Germany, so the first Biewer puppy was shown in the US in June of 2003. The first Best In Show for the Biewer in the USA took place in November of 2003. Biewers have been participating in Rare Breed Shows since 2005.

A National Breed Club, the American Biewer Club (ABC), was formed for the Biewer in the USA in 2003. This club was the first club formed in the USA to support the breed using the original Biewer lines. The ABC abides by the German breed standard and supports the original German Biewer Club.

The Biewer Terrier Club of America (BTCA) has been established to Educate and promote the "Health and Welfare" of the Biewer Terrier Breed. Their members have brought together many of the best Champion bloodlines from Germany to produce the highest-quality Biewer Terriers. They feel the Biewer is more than a "sit in your lap, Fu Fu dog". Owing to the intelligence of the breed many members are actively participating in therapy and service dog programs. For more information about showing, programs, and research projects they are involved in, please visit their site: Biewer Terrier Club of America

Another breed club, the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier National Club (BYTNC), was created in the fall of 2006. The BYTNC is comprised of dedicated Biewer breeders and fanciers determined to promote, protect, and further the advancement of the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la pom pon in accordance with the standards that were set forth by the founders, Mr. & Mrs. Werner Biewer. Members of the BYTNC strive to advance the study, breeding, and exhibition of the breed and help to educate others to secure a promising future for the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier in the United States of America.

The goals of the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier National Club are:

To offer membership to those who have a dedicated interest in this breed.

To provide opportunities for education through seminars, workshops, literature and events.

To utilize registry information to assist breeders in maintaining the integrity of the breed.

To promote the confirmation of quality breeding by sponsoring Breed Speciality events.

The Biewer Breed Club International (BBCI) http://www.biewerbci.org is a diverse club that has members from around the globe. The Biewer Bred Club International is a Biewer club devoted to educating the public about the German Biewer breed. They boast Education, Excellence and Ethics in their sincere devotion to their beloved breed. They are steadfast in their belief that the German Biewer shall remain pure in its heritage and NOT be bred back to the Yorkshire Terrier. Health is of the utmost importance. With members from the United States, Canada and Germany, the Biewer Breed Club International's members have imported into North America some of the most beautiful and exquisite pedigreed Biewers that are available from Germany.

The BBCI encourages their members involvement in conformation, canine obedience, freestyle and the many dog sports that are available as well as therapy work. They are keen on including their youngest members so that they may be involved in Junior Handling as they are the next generation of Fanciers that will help preserve the Biewer breed.

Biewers can currently be shown in the following venues:

International All Breed Canine Association [1]
Rarities Inc. & North American Kennel Club (NAKC) [2]

As a very new breed, there remains some controversy over whether the Biewer is a completely separate breed or is simply a colour variation of the Yorkshire Terrier. The Biewer is currently working towards being recognized by the major international kennel clubs.