When talking about the Biewer, there is nothing simple and straightforward. Starting with the origins of this breed, and ending with the living conditions it demands, one must be armed with a lot of patience and energy, if one decides to adopt such a toy dog.
Different breeders call it different names, and even its belonging to a certain breed is debatable. What we know for certain, though, is that this dog is rapidly growing in popularity all over the world. Being developed in Germany, it was officially recognized by the Allgemeiner Club der Hundefreunde Deutschland in the 1980s. Today, more and more people from the United States, Canada and even South Africa show a great interest in it, despite the fact that it is still considered to be a rare breed.
The Biewer is seen as a toy dog, due to its small size and cute appearance. Its body is very compact, with a leveled back line, supported by straight feet, and covered with dense hair. We can say that the head is not too well-proportioned, compared to the rest of the body, and is rather small and flat. It has black and vivid eyes, and small V-shaped ears, which are erect. The muzzle is of medium size, white, and it ends with a black nose. The dog carries its tail up. One of the most important physical characteristics of this breed is the straight and silky long coat, almost reaching the ground. It usually displays a combination of solid white on the lower part of the body, namely the chest, belly and legs, and a darker color on the head, back and tail, usually brown, gray or black. Another argument in describing this dog as a cute little thing is the fact that it weights no more than 3 kg and reaches a maximum height of about 22 cm.
Anyway, it is not always wise to jump straight to conclusions, after a first impression. And this is exactly the case with the Biewer. Despite its fragile look, it makes an excellent watchdog. In fact, it is very brave, and will not back down even when facing a larger dog. Needless to say, it makes a lot of noise, barking loudly and often, which is very likely to become an issue for the neighbors. Another important aspect of this breed's personality, is that it is very intelligent, and with a strong character. Moreover, although it is very friendly and loving, it is also quite sensitive to a series of things. For example, when introducing it to new dogs, the owners should proceed with caution, since this little puppy is easy to startle. And by no means should cats be left close to it. It is enough to say that the situation could rapidly get out of control.
Being so tiny, the Biewer does not need a lot of space, but a walk every day or two is a must. Contrary to common belief, grooming is not a difficult task in its case. Most health problems can be avoided by following a balanced diet and a strict hygiene, and this dog will have a happy life, up to the age of fifteen. And last, but not least, there is one more thing to know before thinking of adopting one of these dogs: if allowed to take advantage of its small size and cute little face, the Biewer will not hesitate to take over the house.
