Frequently asked questions are answered on this page. If you have any additional questions that we have not covered, please email us, we will answer as soon as possible.
Q) Is the Biewer Terrier a Yorkshire Terrier with 3 colors?
A) No, The BTCA, Inc. started working with geneticists, renown in their field of canine genetics, from Mars Veterinary in 2007 to find out whether the Biewer was a Yorkshire Terrier or a breed of its own due to the introduction of other breeds. The geneticists did an in depth study and were able to share with us the breeds most closely related to the Biewer on different chromosomes. They established the Biewer Terrier to be a distinct breed of its own and were able to develop a breed signature for the breed.
Although the geneticist we were working with, developed the Wisdom Panel that tests for mutts, we were in a completely different venue. Our testing went to an in-depth study of the 39 Chromosomes and on some of the chromosomes a detailed gene study. This study was not the typical wisdom panel study, but a much more detailed study that would produce the same results if any other geneticists were doing the same type of work.
People that don't understand the intense study and work that went into developing a breed signature, will of course find fault. Human nature for many, is to ridicule that which they know nothing about.
Q) Differences in a name: Biewer Terrier, Biewer a la Pom Pon, Biewer Breed, Biewer.
A) The BTCA, Inc. dropped the Yorkshire a la Pom Pon from the original name of Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom Pon because they did not feel the breed was a Yorkshire Terrier and the a la Pom Pon is, at its most basic level, a decorative ball of fluff, which has nothing to do with the breed. After those names were dropped we were left with Biewer Terrier. Unlike other clubs that have changed their name a few times, the BTCA has always called it a Biewer Terrier after dissolving the BYTCA, and reorganizing in mid 2006.
Biewer Terrier? Biewer is the name of the man that developed the breed. Terrier is the type of dog that they developed, thus Biewer Terrier.
Biewer Breed? Breed of what? There are many types of breeds. This name does not designate a specific animal.
Biewer a la Pom Pon? A man that is a ball of fluff?
Q) Do all German registries register Biewer and Yorkie mixes?
A) No, as in America you have good registries and bad. A reputable registry will require all breeding dogs to be DNA profiled for parentage identification. To date we do not know of any German registries that require this testing. The registries that do not accept mixing of breeds, use a Zuchtwart (knowledgeable persons within the club that usually become Judges) to determine whether the dogs are breeding quality and are truly breeding purebreds.
Q) Are Biewer Terriers registered with AKC?
A) No, the Biewer Terrier, Biewer for short, the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom Pon, nor the Biewer a la Pom Pon are registered with AKC. There is a process that AKC requires before admission. See http://www.akc.org/reg/fss_details.cfm.
Q) Where are Biewer Terriers/Biewers registered?
A) Each club has its own registry, and some breeders still register in Germany. The BTCA, Inc. recommends BTRA as it requires parentage profiling on all breeding dogs and only breeds Biewer Terrier to Biewer Terrier. They do not accept foreign registrations on American born dogs as there are many people breeding mix breeds and registering them with the IBC because they don't require proof of parentage. Another reason your American born dog should be registered in America, is that there is not one German registry registering the Biewer Terrier, that will be accepted by AKC.
One of the other club tells people to register their litters/dogs with IBC and then come back to them because they will accept the foreign registration. They won't register the dogs themselves because they don't meet their standards for registration, yet will direct them to a known mutt registry. We don't accept CKC(American), APRI, BYA, BNR, among a few of the American registries for this very reason. BBIR registrations are accepted only upon approval, due to the fact that they will register an American born Biewer with IBC registrations.
Q) Can Biewers be shown?
We recommend showing with ARBA and KCUSA as these show venues are using the revised standard accepted and signed by Mrs. Biewer. NACK is using the standard written by two Mi-Ki breeders that have nothing to do with Biewers.
Q) Why are there different standards on the Internet for the Biewer?
A) The original standard signed by Mr. and Mrs. Biewer in 1989 was the same standard used for the Yorkie except for the coloring. The coloring on the head was white~blue~gold in good symmetry. The body was white, with blue, no brown/Gold. The tail was docked.
Unfortunately Mr. Biewer became ill and they were unable to perfect this beautiful breed. Mrs. Biewer has been instrumental in helping us with the standard, as they would have revised it as they went along. One example being, docking of tails and clipping ears. In 2002 Germany passed a law restricting these alterations of animals. Another very obvious change would be the allowing of 2 colors in the head, as they were producing many dogs with just 2 colors in the head.
The standard the BTCA, Inc. uses was drafted under the guidance of Mrs. Biewer herself and the actual hands on of hundreds of dogs. This is the only standard approved of for the Biewer Terrier/Biewer breed.
Don't be fooled by sites claiming to be following the original standard. If their dogs have tails and black anywhere on them, they are not following the original standard. If they have posted any standard other than the signed standard by Mrs. Biewer, they are not following the standard approved for the breed.
Q) Do I have to be a member of a club to purchase a Biewer?
A) No, you do not. Some clubs tell you, you have to join their club if you buy a puppy from them. Be cautious of peoples intentions. There is no reason you have to join a club if you don't want to. Most pet owners do not belong to clubs, but we have some that joined to help promote the breed, but it is not necessary.
Mrs. Biewer is very upset with the people that say they are following the Biewer's dream and the original standard. She is a member of the BTCA, Inc. and it is the only club that she stands behind and supports. There is not one other club that has any idea of the dreams the Biewers had for the breed.
