Technical Breed Standard

Group: 9 Companion Dog
Reference Cynological Classification: Terrier – Toy/Zwergterrier type
Working Trial: Not required
Recognition: WDF-recognized breed G09-354

1. Historical Background

The origins of the Biewer Terrier date back to Germany in the 1980s.

In 1984, at the Biewer family kennel, two purebred Yorkshire Terriers produced puppies displaying white markings, a characteristic that did not conform to the traditional Yorkshire Terrier standard. Werner and Gertrud Biewer decided to selectively breed for this particular colour expression, gradually developing a population characterized by a stable presence of white combined with black or blue and gold/tan.

The new type progressively attracted the interest of breeders in Germany and subsequently in other countries. Over successive generations, specific breeding programmes and dedicated registries were developed.

The VDH currently considers the Biewer Terrier to be a distinct breed and maintains that the population has achieved sufficient genetic differentiation from the Yorkshire Terrier to justify its classification as an independent breed.

In the United States, the breed was subsequently recognized by major canine organizations. The United Kennel Club has recognized it since 1 January 2016, while the American Kennel Club places it in the Toy Group.

Modern breeding must nevertheless pay particular attention to maintaining morphological, genealogical and genetic distinction from the Yorkshire Terrier, avoiding a situation in which colour alone constitutes the sole distinguishing feature of the breed.

2. General Appearance

The Biewer Terrier is a small, elegant, harmonious dog, with light to medium bone and a refined appearance.

It is characterized by:

• a long, straight and silky coat;
• tricolour distribution;
• a level topline;
• elegant carriage;
• a relatively small and proportionate head;
• a richly feathered tail carried arched over the back;
• a lively, attentive and intelligent expression.

The coat should fall naturally and evenly on both sides of the body, ideally divided by a longitudinal parting.

The overall impression should be that of a compact and elegant dog, never coarse or excessively fragile.

The body may appear almost square, but the trunk is normally slightly longer than the height at the withers.

3. Important Proportions

The length of the body, measured from the point of shoulder to the rear of the trunk, is slightly greater than the height at the withers.

A dog approaching square proportions is nevertheless acceptable.

The height at the withers should be substantially equal to the height at the croup.

The construction must be balanced, without excessive forequarter or hindquarter development.

4. Behaviour and Temperament

The Biewer Terrier should display:

• a cheerful temperament;
• a high level of environmental awareness;
• intelligence;
• liveliness;
• a strong bond with its owner;
• good suitability for family life;
• an affectionate and playful attitude.

It is an active and curious companion dog.

It may display a certain degree of independence or the liveliness typical of terriers, but it must not show unjustified aggression, extreme shyness or behavioural instability.

The standard should favour balanced, self-confident and socially manageable dogs.

5. Head

The head must be proportionate to the size of the dog, elegant and never heavy.

Cranial Region

Skull

Slightly rounded, moderately broad.

It must be neither excessively domed nor flat.

Stop

Moderately defined.

It should be clearly perceptible without being abrupt or exaggerated.

6. Facial Region

Nose

Completely black-pigmented.

Pigmentation must be uniform and complete in adult dogs.

Brown, liver-coloured or significantly depigmented pigmentation constitutes a serious fault or a disqualifying condition depending on the judging system applied.

Muzzle

The length of the muzzle should be approximately one third of the total length of the head.

The muzzle must be:

• proportionate;
• sufficiently full;
• not pointed;
• not excessively short;
• not coarse.

Lips

Close-fitting.

Pigmentation should preferably be completely black.

Cheeks

Moderately developed.

They must not be prominent or heavy.

7. Jaws and Dentition

Jaws regular and proportionate.

Dentition consisting of white, correctly aligned teeth.

The following bites are permitted:

• scissor bite;
• level bite.

The lower jaw must be neither significantly undershot nor overshot.

Functional and correct dentition must be regarded as an important element of selection.

8. Eyes

Eyes of medium size.

Shape:

• round;
  or
• slightly almond-shaped.

They should be directed forward and give the dog an expression that is:

• lively;
• intelligent;
• open;
• curious.

The iris should be as dark as possible.

The eyelid rims must be pigmented black.

9. Ears

Small.

Triangular or “V”-shaped.

Carried erect.

Set moderately apart.

They should contribute to the alert expression of the dog.

They are covered with hair; the tips may be trimmed or shaved according to show presentation practices.

Persistently dropped ears in an adult dog constitute a serious fault.

10. Neck

Moderately long.

Elegant and well set into the shoulders.

It should allow a high head carriage without appearing short or thick.

No dewlap.

11. Body

Topline

Straight and stable.

It should remain level both when standing and in movement.

Withers

Well integrated into the topline.

Not excessively pronounced.

Back

Straight, firm and compact.

It must not display:

• kyphosis;
• swayback;
• pronounced rounding.

Loin

Short and sufficiently strong.

Well connected to the back.

Croup

In continuity with the topline.

Not excessively sloping.

Chest

Sufficiently broad in relation to the size of the dog.

The chest should reach approximately to the elbow.

The ribs should be moderately sprung.

An excessively narrow or excessively rounded chest is undesirable.

Underline

Moderately raised.

The abdomen may be slightly tucked up, without exaggeration.

12. Tail

Set high.

Long and richly covered with hair.

During movement it should be carried:

• high;
• arched;
• elegantly over the back.

The hair on the tail forms abundant feathering.

The bony portion should reach at least to the hock region or beyond.

At rest, it may be carried in a more relaxed position.

Docking must not be required.

13. Forelimbs

General Appearance

Viewed from the front, they must be:

• straight;
• parallel;
• sufficiently muscular;
• proportionate to the overall structure.

Shoulder

Moderately sloping and well laid back.

It should allow good forward reach of the limb.

Upper Arm

Of balanced length and angulation.

Neither too short nor excessively long.

Elbow

Close to the body.

Turning neither inward nor outward.

Forearm

Straight.

Bone light to medium, but sufficiently strong.

Carpus

Firm.

Metacarpus

Compact and nearly vertical.

14. Forefeet

Round and compact.

Toes well arched.

Hair is present but may be trimmed to allow correct evaluation of the foot.

Pads:

• black;
• or partially flesh-coloured according to certain national standard lines.

Nails:

• black;
• light-coloured;
• or mixed.

15. Hindlimbs

General Appearance

They should be harmoniously angulated in relation to the forequarters.

Viewed from behind, they must be straight and parallel.

Thigh

Well muscled.

Stifle

Well angulated and stable.

Lower Thigh

Well muscled and proportionate to the thigh.

Hock

Firm.

Turning neither medially nor laterally.

Metatarsus

Short, stable and almost perpendicular to the ground.

16. Hind Feet

Round.

Compact.

Toes well arched.

The pigmentation characteristics of the pads and nails are the same as those specified for the forefeet.

17. Movement

Movement is an important element in the evaluation of the breed.

It must be:

• flowing;
• elegant;
• confident;
• harmonious;
• free;
• straight.

The forequarters should display good reach.

The hindquarters should provide adequate drive.

The hindlimbs should follow the line of the forelimbs without obvious deviation.

The topline should remain stable during movement.

The following are undesirable:

• excessive stepping action;
• hackney action;
• limbs converging excessively;
• stiff movement;
• insufficient hindquarter drive.

The dog should move with a proud attitude and the head carried high.

18. Skin

Fine or moderately thin.

Close-fitting to the body.

Free from excessive looseness.

19. Coat

Texture

The hair must be:

• long;
• straight;
• flowing;
• fine;
• soft;
• silky.

It should not have a pronounced undercoat.

The coat should fall vertically along the body.

Ideally, it reaches the ground or nearly so; it may be trimmed to floor length to allow natural movement.

It must not be:

• woolly;
• curly;
• frizzy;
• excessively cottony.

Hair on the Head

Long.

Traditionally gathered at the top of the skull to form the characteristic topknot or ponytail.

The topknot should serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose, keeping the field of vision unobstructed.

Exaggerated grooming intended to artificially alter the natural volume or structure of the coat is undesirable.

20. Colour

Colour is a distinctive characteristic of the breed, but it must be assessed together with the overall morphology and not in isolation.

Head

The head must display combinations of:

• black or blue;
• gold/tan;
• white.

The distribution should be as harmonious and symmetrical as possible.

Combinations in which the following predominate are also permitted:

• black/blue + gold/tan;
• gold/tan + white.

The presence of tan on the head is an important breed-typical characteristic.

Body

On the trunk, the following colours are permitted:

• black or blue;
• white.

Black/blue may appear:

• as an extensive mantle;
• as a saddle;
• in patches;
• in spots.

No rigid proportion between black/blue and white is required.

White Areas

The following areas must be white:

• chest;
• abdomen;
• limbs;
• tip of the tail.

The white on the chest should ideally extend upward toward the neck and reach the chin.

The limbs should be predominantly white from the elbow and stifle regions down to the feet.

Tan on the Body

Tan should not be present on the trunk or limbs.

A minimal localized presence in the perianal region may be tolerated under certain standards.

Colours differing from the typical tricolour pattern must be considered non-conforming.

21. Size

Height at the withers: approximately 21–26 cm.

Accepted tolerance of ± 2 cm.

22. Weight

Ideal weight:

2.0–3.8 kg.

Weight must not compromise the typical structure, balance or functionality of the dog.

23. Sexual Characteristics

Males must have two testicles:

• normally developed;
• fully descended into the scrotum.

Sexual dimorphism may be present without altering breed type.

24. Faults

Any deviation from the standard must be evaluated according to:

• its severity;
• its impact on breed type;
• its impact on functionality;
• its consequences for health and welfare.

Faults may include:

• unbalanced body proportions;
• excessively heavy construction;
• excessively fragile construction;
• excessively long or short muzzle;
• excessively domed skull;
• excessively pronounced stop;
• eyes that are too light;
• ears that are too large;
• short neck;
• unstable back;
• insufficient chest development;
• incorrect angulation;
• insufficiently flowing movement;
• coat that is too short, wavy or of non-silky texture;
• poorly balanced colour distribution.

25. Serious Faults

The following must be considered particularly serious:

• size or weight clearly exceeding the prescribed limit;
• incomplete pigmentation of the nose, lips or eyelid rims;
• ears not erect in the adult dog;
• arched or strongly curved back;
• obvious imbalance in height between forequarters and hindquarters;
• pronounced stepping/hackney action;
• construction incompatible with breed type;
• severe coat abnormalities;
• major colour deviations.
• weight above 3.8 kg;
• incomplete pigmentation;
• ears not erect;
• curved back and hackney action in the adult dog.

26. Eliminating or Disqualifying Faults

Dogs displaying the following must be excluded from breeding or show evaluation:

• unjustified aggression;
• extreme fearfulness;
• obvious disabling physical abnormalities;
• significant behavioural disorders;
• blue eyes;
• brown/liver pigmentation of the nose or eyelid rims;
• albinism;
• colours not corresponding to the prescribed colour pattern;
• absence of the fundamental characteristics of the breed;
• unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism in males.

27. Breeding Recommendations

Only dogs that are:

• clinically healthy;
• functionally sound;
• temperamentally balanced;
• morphologically typical;
• genealogically identified;
• genetically compatible with the breeding programme

should be used for breeding.

Particular attention should be paid to:

• maintenance of correct pigmentation;
• dental and mandibular stability;
• joint quality;
• correct patellar conformation;
• hereditary eye diseases;
• genetic diversity of the population;
• traceability of bloodlines;
• maintenance of a morphological identity genuinely distinct from the Yorkshire Terrier.

Cynognostic Summary

The ideal Biewer Terrier should be a small companion terrier, elegant, slightly rectangular, with a refined but not fragile head, dark eyes, small erect ears, a stable topline, straight and well-angulated limbs, flowing movement, a high-set arched tail, a long silky coat and a characteristic tricolour distribution.

Its breed identity should not rely exclusively on colour: in order to achieve a genuine distinction from the Yorkshire Terrier, it is advisable to consolidate over time measurable and reproducible phenotypic differences, particularly in head structure, body proportions, coat texture, size and overall morphology.