The history of the Biewer Terrier does not begin with the deliberate crossing of breeds, but with a remarkable twist of nature and the vision of two German breeders. At my kennel, Little Shining Angels, I am one of the few breeders in Slovenia to breed and show Biewer Terriers under the Kennel Club of Slovenia (KZS), so this story is especially dear to me.
The visionaries Werner and Gertrud Biewer
In the 1980s, the couple Werner and Gertrud Biewer ran a successful kennel of classic Terriers in Germany, known for excellent anatomy and coat quality. On 20 January 1984 came a historic turning point. In a litter from two classically coloured champions, a female was born with striking, symmetrical white markings across her body. They named her Schneeflöckchen, meaning "little snowflake".
Instead of removing this unusual colour variant, the couple recognised a special beauty in her. With disciplined, strict selective breeding they stabilised this tricolour heritage over the following years. The name "à la Pom Pon" was given to the variant by their friend, the well-known singer Margo Eskens, who compared the dog to a charming woollen pom-pom.
The genetics of the white markings
Science later explained the origin of the tricolour coat. According to the renowned canine genetics expert Dr Sheila Schmutz, white in dogs results from the so-called piebald gene on the S locus. This gene is inherited recessively: for a puppy to be born a Biewer, it must inherit one copy from each parent. When two copies combine, pigment is prevented from forming in certain areas, creating the characteristic snow-white patches on the chest, belly and paws.
A genetic marvel: proof by DNA analysis
For a long time sceptics claimed the Biewer was merely a random mixed breed. But science proved otherwise. In 2007 the Biewer Terrier Club of America (BTCA) began cooperation with the respected genetics laboratory Mars Veterinary, led by the geneticist Dr Paul Jones. By 2009, after testing more than a hundred dogs and dozens of lines, they identified genetic markers distinguishing the Biewer Terrier from the Terrier.
The result was groundbreaking: although the Biewer shares most of its genetic characteristics with the Terrier, a unique pattern appeared on one chromosome, present in a large share of Biewers and absent in classic Terriers. The Biewer Terrier thus became one of the first breeds in history whose status as an independent breed was supported by DNA analysis. On that basis, the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted it into its programme in 2014, and granted it full recognition in 2021.
Today, Biewer Terriers are proudly shown under the KZS and FCI across Europe. At my kennel I continue this heritage with responsibility and respect for the vision of the Biewer couple.
Literature and sources
Biewer Terrier Club of America (BTCA) & Mars Veterinary (2007–2009): genetic study (Data Analysis Project) led by Dr Paul Jones, which confirmed the breed's independence.
American Kennel Club (AKC): history of Biewer Terrier recognition (Foundation Stock Service 2014, full recognition 2021).
Schmutz, S. M., & Berryere, T. G. (2007). Genes affecting coat colour and pattern in domestic dogs (MITF gene and the S locus). Animal Genetics, 38(6), 539–549.
Biewer, W. (1989). Original Biewer Yorkshire à la Pom Pon standard, ACH e.V.
This text is based on current professional knowledge and on our kennel's experience. It does not replace consultation with a veterinarian or cynologist.
