Biewer Terrier Guide: Size, Temperament, Grooming and Health for Adopters
About the Biewer Terrier
The American Kennel Club places the Biewer Terrier in the Toy Group and lists Germany as its origin. UKC describes it as an elegant, long-haired, tri-colored toy-type terrier.
Where does the Biewer Terrier come from?
United Kennel Club says the breed is believed to have started around 1984 with German Yorkshire Terrier breeders Mr. and Mrs. Biewer, who spent several years refining the type until the dogs bred true. It reached mainstream America in 2003, and UKC recognized it on January 1, 2016. AKC lists its recognition year as 2021.
Biewer Terrier size and weight
AKC lists the Biewer Terrier as an extra-small dog, publishing a height of 7-11 inches and a weight of 4-8 pounds. UKC's preferred weight range is likewise four to eight pounds.
Biewer Terrier temperament and personality
AKC's temperament words for the breed are intelligent, devoted and amusing, and UKC likewise calls it intelligent, loyal and very devoted to its human family. UKC adds that the breed has a fun-loving, child-like attitude. AKC's general ratings give the breed 5 of 5 for family affection and for compatibility with other dogs, 4 of 5 for playfulness, and 3 of 5 for compatibility with children and openness to strangers.
Energy and mental enrichment
AKC's general breed ratings put the Biewer Terrier at 3 of 5 for both energy and mental enrichment.
Biewer Terrier grooming, grooming styles and shedding
AKC lists the coat as long and silky and rates shedding at 1 of 5, which suggests little shedding, while grooming frequency sits at 3 of 5. The UKC standard describes hair that is straight with no undercoat, and a show coat should reach a good way down toward the ground. Dogs used in performance events may be clipped for safety, so grooming styles can vary with the dog's activities.
Trainability
AKC gives the breed a general trainability rating of 3 of 5.
Biewer Terrier lifespan and health screening
AKC gives a general life expectancy of 16 years for the breed.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Biewer Terrier as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Toy Group
- AKC recognition year
- 2021
- Height (AKC published)
- 7-11 inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- 4-8 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 16 years
- AKC size category
- XSmall
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 3 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 3 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 3 of 5
- Shedding: 1 of 5
- Vocalization: 3 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 3 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 2 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 5 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Eye Examination by a board Certified ACVO Ophthalmologist
- Patellar Luxation
- Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) - DNA Test
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 8, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Biewer Terrier | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 8, 2026
- Biewer Terrier - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
