Is the Biewer recognized by the AKC? Should I register my Biewer with BTRA in order to be ready for AKC registration? If AKC chooses not to accept BBIR, what will the registry do? What breeds are similar to the Biewer and what are the differences? What is genetic drift and how is it related to the Biewer? Do Biewers participate in dog shows? Is the BBCA affiliated with other dog clubs? How can you determine breed purity? Will you use the Mars Wisdom Panel test for the Biewer?
Is the Biewer recognized by the AKC?
In May of 2014, the AKC’s FSS division provisionally accepted the "Biewer Terrier" as a new breed. Here is the statement AKC provided about the “Biewer Terrier” on their website.
"The Biewer Terrier is being recorded in the AKC Foundation Stock Service® -
The AKC provides this service to allow purebred breeds to continue to develop
while providing them with the security of a reliable and reputable avenue to
maintain their records. FSS® breeds are not eligible for AKC registration."
The BBCA has petitioned the AKC for several years for the sole purpose of monitoring our developing breed; however, FSS has chosen BTRA as the sole registry for which Biewers can be accepted at present date, even though the BBIR shares many of the same bloodlines. This raises many questions that remain unanswered for the time being; but rest assured, we will continue to take an active role in the future of our breed. The process of full acceptance with AKC will take time and careful consideration. The BBIR is an honorable registry (with the same German ancestry) and is an essential part of the gene pool needed to further the breed. We will continue to make our case to FSS for the BBIR to be included in this process, but not at the cost of weakening our standard. We must not lose sight of what's most important, protecting the beautiful breed Mr. and Mrs. Biewer worked so hard to develop. We must remain vigilant as the way is paved for their future.
Should I register my Biewer with BTRA in order to be ready for AKC registration?
At this time, we are encouraging our members and those who believe in our philosophy of protecting the original German heritage to hold off on registering with any other registry than BBIR; however, this is ultimately a personal decision. The process with FSS is in the very first stages of acceptance and there is much to be sorted out before we can support this move. We believe those who have registered with BBIR should stand united, continue to make our case to AKC, and see how acceptance with FSS affects our breed. We must wait and see what bloodlines are accepted and make sure our standard is protected.
If AKC chooses not to accept BBIR, what will the registry do?
Again, it is much too early to say definitively what the registry will do; however, BBIR will remain strong and continue registering deserving Biewers as they always have. If our philosophy concerning the development of the breed does not ultimately align with the standards approved by AKC, we do have other options. Many developing breeds have chosen to remain true to their original breed standard and heritage. The Coton de Tulear Club of America chose to remain true to their breed, even though they were the oldest breed club. The Jack Russell Terrier also decided not to follow their counter-parts, the Parson Russell Terrier and Russell Terrier, to AKC acceptance. The Havana Silk Dog is another breed that is not affiliated with AKC, while the Havanese is AKC accepted. For years, breed clubs and registries have had the same growing pains we are experiencing today. In time, we will see the appropriate course of action for the betterment of our breed.
What are the differences between the Biewer, Biewer Terrier, Biewer a’ la Pom Pon, and Parti-Yorkshire Terrier?
Sorting out the differences between breeds can be trying to say the least. As the Biewer has grown in acceptance in the states, several beliefs have separated one from the other. We will attempt to take them one by one and explain the differences.
Each of these breeds have Yorkshire Terrier in their linage. The Biewer, Biewer Terrier, and Biewer a’ la Pom Pon all began when Mr. and Mrs. Biewer took two Yorkshire Terriers with a pie-bald gene, bred them and produced a tri-colored Yorkie. They are also sometimes referred to as Biewer Yorkie or Biewer Yorkshire a' la Pom Pon; however, the three names listed previously are the official names recognized by clubs and registries in the United States. If the name contains the word "Biewer" the dog should originate with Mr. and Mrs. Biewer's German bloodlines on the pedigree.
As we recognize Mr. and Mrs. Biewer for the breed's beginnings, there is no way we can know for absolute certainty that breeds (such as Maltese) have not been mixed in by dishonest breeders prior to their arrival from Germany. Through the gradual development of the breed, there are many characteristics that have separated the Biewer breed from the Standard Yorkie. We know, as far as the BBIR is concerned, that the registry has meticulously evaluated pedigrees for lines that originate from Mr. and Mrs. Biewer’s foundation stock and have never allowed registrations from any other origin.
The Terrier group of dogs has very specific traits. Wikipedia defines a terrier as “a dog … which is typically small, wiry, very active and fearless. ….They were used to control rats, rabbits, and foxes both over and under the ground.” The Biewer is a companion dog and tends to be more mild mannered than a Terrier and would never be expected to control vermin. Though the Biewer originated from the Terrier linage, the breed does not share many common Terrier traits.
Biewer Terriers appear to be a breed of dog originating from Mr. and Mrs. Biewer’s foundation stock, acknowledging different breeds mixed in their linage. To prove this theory, some clubs have focused on MARS testing to weed out Biewers that don’t fit a specific genetic profile. The problem is the MARS test was developed to give owners a clue as to what breeds might be in their mixed breed dog and hasn’t always been accurate. The minutes from the AKC Board of Directors Meeting on July 9-10, 2012 said this, regarding using MARS for solving disputes on impure breeding with the Norwich Terrier.
“Both Mars and the AKC Advisory Panel communicated that the test is fallible. In fact the only conclusive parentage test would involve the evaluation of the DNA of the sire and dam as well as the get. Given that the Mars Wisdom Panel® test is not something that can be relied upon with complete consistency for judgments and it could even identify a purebred dog as impure, which would not be fair, AKC would not use it as the final determinant in these cases.”
Biewer Terriers are registered in the United States with the BTRA. Not knowing all of the criteria for reviewing pedigrees that are accepted by the BTRA, we are not in a position to say what history is acceptable for registry or what breeds are shared in their linage.
The Biewer Terrier a la Pom Pon is sponsored by a club that believes the breed is a variant of the Yorkshire Terrier. As a result, they believe it is acceptable for breeders to frequently introduce Yorkshire Terriers into their breeding program. Continuing this process will never truly establish the Biewer as a breed of its own. The BBCA does not support this belief and remains steadfast to breeding Biewer to Biewer only.
The BBIR Registry represents the Biewer. The BBIR believes the Biewer originated from the German foundation stock that Mr. and Mrs. Biewer established with the development of their breed. The BBIR evaluates their dogs with DNA profiles and a thorough review of their pedigrees. The chosen name acknowledges the hard work of their founders and yet separates them as their own breed. The word “Terrier” wasn’t selected because the Biewer does not share many of the behavioral characteristics of the Terrier breed. "Terrier" was never even a part of the original German name.
The Parti-Yorkie is a Yorkshire Terrier that typically sports a tri-colored coat, with no regard to color placement. Many of their lines were established in the United States and do not share the German Biewer heritage. As of May 2014, the Parti-Yorkie can be registered with AKC but is not allowed to participate in AKC shows. The BBCA does NOT agree with mixing our breeding pool with the Parti-Yorkie for the protection of the standards set forth by Mr. and Mrs. Biewer in keeping with their German ancestry.
What is genetic drift and how is it related to the Biewer?
According to Wikipedia genetic drift “is the change in the frequency of a gene variant in a population due to random sampling.” What this really means is that over time, an isolated population will change. This is the reason that dogs in different countries exhibit different traits. It is because of genetic drift, the dogs are actually different.
The Biewer Breed Club of America is employing genetic drift to establish a new breed of dog. The purpose behind this is to honor the heritage of these lovely dogs while developing a small, companion dog which is hypo-allergenic, non-shedding, and requires very little exercise outside the home. The Biewer Breed Club of America works with Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, Doctors of Genetics, and others to pursue our goal.
We believe that there are many people who wish to have a dog but are discouraged by a multitude of issues. The Biewer could be a great fit for those who have allergies, don’t have access to large outdoor spaces, or may live in small apartments, condominiums, or small houses. One of the many reasons the Biewer Breed Club of America has never allowed the introduction of outside breeds into the breeding program is in order to protect the hypoallergenic nature of the breed.
Is the Biewer Club of America affiliated with any other dog clubs?
We are affiliated with RVD/UCI, our counterpart in Germany, and with the Russian Biewer Club, the Western Province Biewer Club of South Africa and theBiewer Club Canada.
How can you determine breed purity?
Traditionally the method used by dog breeders to enforce breed purity was the pedigree along with the statements made by the breeder. The Biewer Breed Club of America has used DNA testing for parentage since its inception. Every puppy that is chosen for breeding is tested to confirm that it is the offspring of a pedigreed Biewer Sire and Dam related to the German foundation stock of Mr. and Mrs. Biewer, ensuring the pedigree is totally accurate.
Will you use the Mars Wisdom Panel tests for the Biewer?
At this time, the BBCA will not use the Mars Wisdom Panel test for conformation of parentage. We agree whole-heartedly with the statement made in the AKC minutes on July 9-10, 2012 regarding the use of this test for solving disputes concerning parentage. (Read the quote by the AKC under question #4 of the FAQ.) Evaluating the DNA of the sire, dam, and offspring is sufficient evidence of parentage and will continue to be the standard for BBCA.
Functions of the Biewer Breed
In the short time the Biewer has been in United States, still considered a young breed, it has demonstrated natural traits and abilities that make it an excellent, versatile breed for all ages and environments.
a. - The terrier in the Biewer affords it a natural instinct to explore, hunt, and capture its prey.
b. - That same terrier instinct produces an excellent investigative guard dog by being constantly aware of its surroundings.
c. -The bonding function produces a dog that attaches to one person but not to the detriment of others. This is a good trait for Certified Therapy Dogs and Certified Service Dogs.
d. -The mild temperament bred into the Biewer allows it to be easily trained, a personable and portable companion for owners of all ages in any environments and under all conditions.