Biewer Terrier Vs Yorkie (Which Dog Is Better For You?)

Can you tell the two apart?

Since Biewers cam from Yorkshire terriers originally, the two are very similar.

Most people rely on the colors to tell the difference between a Yorkie and a Biewer terrier.

But Particolored Yorkies have similar colors to the Biewer, so that does not often work.

That said, although the colors are similar, there are differences in the patterns.

Plus, there are several other key differences between these two breeds.

Keep reading for a full comparison of the Biewer terrier vs Yorkie. We will show you how to tell them apart and help you decide which breed is the better pet for you.

 

Biewer Terrier Vs Yorkie

We will begin our comparison of the Yorkshire terrier and the Biewer terrier by looking at each breed individually, before comparing them directly.

Then we’ll dive into the advantages of each and figure out which one is better suited to be your pet.

 

The Biewer Terrier

Biewer (pronounced Beeva) Terrier is a recently recognized breed developed from the piebald variant of Yorkshire terriers.

Piebaldism is a genetic mutation that causes a pattern of unpigmented spots (or white coloring) on a pigmented background of hair.

Biewer Terriers are small dogs weighing around 4 to 8 pounds (1.8 to 3.6 kg) and measuring between 7 and 11 inches (17.8 to 27.9 cm).

These tri-colored dogs usually come in black-tan-white, blue-tan-white, and black-blue-white colors. The white is present on the legs and belly and the tail and face.

All Biewer Terriers are born black, white, and tan but change color as they grow. As mentioned, their colors are the same as the Parti Yorkie, but with differences in the patterns. Learn more in our Parti Yorkie vs Biewer comparison here.

Here are some interesting facts about Biewer Terriers:

• Biewers are a relatively new breed. They received the full AKC status only in January 2021 and are the club’s 197th dog breed.
• According to the AKC, the Biewer Terrier is the first dog breed to be recognized as a purebred dog using advancements in science, rather than the usual pedigree documentation.
• Biewer Terriers were initially known as the German Yorkshire Terrier, to honor the country of their origin.
• The word Biewer is a German surname. Werner and Gertrud Biewer created the foundation dog of the Biewer Terrier breed using piebald Yorkies. They named the puppy Schneeflocken von Friedheck.

 

The Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is a popular dog breed belonging to the AKC’s toy group. These small dogs weigh between 2 and 7 pounds (about 3 kg) and measure about 6 or 7 inches (20.5 cm) tall.

These popular dogs not only look adorable but are also known for their human-like hair, which sheds minimally. This makes them a great choice for people suffering from pet allergies.

The AKC recognizes only 5 color pairings in the Yorkshire Terrier breed: black and tan, black and gold, blue and tan, particolored, and blue and gold. Ideally, the colors should show in the right areas.

The body must be blue or black and the head should have a golden hue or gold-tan on the fall. The color should be richer on the ears and the muzzle.

Here are some fun facts about Yorkshire Terriers:

• When the breed first came into existence, it was known as the Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier. Their name was changed to Yorkshire Terriers in 1870.
• A Yorkie named Smoky became the first therapy dog. She helped immensely in the Second World War.
• Yorkshire Terrier hair can grow up to 2 feet.
• They consistently rank in the AKC’s top dog breeds.

 

Differences Between Biewer Terriers And Yorkies

Many people confuse the Biewer Terrier for a Yorkie. After all, the Biewer Terrier was developed from Yorkshire Terriers, so there are bound to be many similarities.

However, there are also a number of key differences, which is why the AKC recognizes the Biewer as a distinct breed. Here are the main differences between the two.

 

Breed, Country Of Origin, And Numbers

The Biewer Terrier is a separate breed that is also very new. They are also quite rare in the USA, certainly not as common as Yorkshire Terriers. Presently, there are only 1,400 or so Biewers registered with the AKC.

The exact number of Yorkies registered in the USA is presently unknown, but they consistently rank among the most popular dog breeds in the country. Yorkies are also an old breed and have existed since the 1800s.

Biewer Terriers were developed in Germany, whereas Yorkies were developed in the Yorkshire region of England.

 

Coat Colors

Another major difference between Biewer Terriers and Yorkies is in their coat colors. Accepted coat colors in Yorkies are black, tan, blue, and gold.

The particolored Yorkie is also accepted by the AKC. Purebred Yorkies are always bi-colored.

Biewer Terriers, on the other hand, are tri colored. They have banding (or belting) of white, usually present on the belly and legs as well as parts of the face.

Therefore, if you see a dog that looks like a Yorkie but has distinct white belts or bands, then it is most likely a Biewer Terrier.

 

Size

Another difference between the two breeds is their size. Biewer Terriers are slightly heavier and taller. Note that this is not a significant difference. You generally have to rely on other differences to confirm whether a dog is a Biewer Terrier or a Yorkie.

 

Tail

In Europe, where Biewer Terriers are most popular, the tail is not docked, because tail docking is illegal on the continent. In the USA, most Yorkie owners dock their dogs’ tails.

 

Similarities Between Biewer And Yorkshire Terriers

In addition to remarkably similar looks, there are several other similarities between the two breeds.

 

Hypoallergenic Coats

Both breeds have human-like hair (instead of dog fur) and they also shed minimally. This makes them a good choice for people with pet allergies. Naturally, no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic. People with allergies could still develop symptoms due to the dog’s saliva or urine.

 

Compact Size

Both Biewer Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs. They belong to the AKC’s toy dog category. Their compact size makes them suitable for apartment dwellers. They are also easy to travel with.

 

Similar Personality Traits

Biewer and Yorkshire Terriers are both wonderful companion pets. With proper training and socialization from a young age, both dogs can get along well with other dogs and even with cats. Both also make great watchdogs, but they can be quite barky.

They are tenacious, feisty, bold, independent, and can be very bossy. They also need plenty of firm handling and training. Their stubborn streaks tend to make housebreaking a challenge.

Both Biewers and Yorkies make excellent pets for people with limited mobility (if they have someone to exercise them). They can be wonderful therapy dogs for people with anxiety, depression, etc.

Both Terrier breeds usually get along well with children if the kids are well-behaved, and the dogs are socialized to kids from puppyhood.

 

Similar Lifespan And Health Issues

According to the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association), common health issues seen in Biewer Terriers are luxating patella, bladder stones, tracheal collapse, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and diabetes. Many also have sensitive digestion and need special food.

Yorkies suffer from the same health issues, in addition to dental issues and eye problems. Both dog breeds live for an average of 12 to 15 years.

 

Advantages Of Biewer Terriers

Biewer Terriers are ideal for homes with younger kids, because, despite their small size, they are quite strong. They also are not as jealous and over-protective as Yorkies tend to be.

 

Advantages Of Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkies are slightly cheaper than Biewer Terriers in the US. Since Biewers are a rare breed in the United States, the few breeders that keep them tend to charge almost $1500 to $3000 per puppy.

Yorkie puppies are available for a lot less ($500 to $1000). Of course, the puppy price depends on several factors. This article on Yorkie costs explains it all.

 

Why To Get A Biewer Terrier

Biewer Terriers make excellent pets for families with kids. After proper socialization. They are also generally peaceful with other house pets.

Biewers are ideal for apartment dwellers and moderately active individuals. They are excellent pets for people with dog allergies.

 

Why To Get A Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies are great pets for families with slightly older kids. They are also good for first-time dog owners, but do need firm handling and training from the start.

Yorkies make excellent therapy dogs for people with anxiety. After all, the first therapy dog was a Yorkie named Smoky who comforted many war-traumatized soldiers.

 

Yorkshire Terrier Vs Biewer Terrier: Final Thoughts

Biewer terriers resulted from Yorkshire terriers with the piebald gene. As such, there are a lot of similarities between the two, especially when compared to the Particolored variant of the Yorkie.

However, there are also a number of key differences, which is why the AKC recognized the Biewer Terrier as its own distinct breed. Hopefully this comparison of the Biewer terrier vs Yorkie has helped you decide which one would make the better pet for you.