Finding a reputable Biewer breeder can be challenging but worth
the effort!!

The Biewer is an absolutely beautiful animal.  They are an important long-
term commitment, a member of your family.  Choosing the right breeder is
an important step but not the first step.  

•  Your first step should be making sure that a Biewer is the breed for you.

Biewer Breed Description:

Biewers often range in size and weight and can be as small as 2 pounds up
to 7 pounds (some times over) and they can easily be stepped on and
injured.  Therefore a home with very young or overly rambunctious children
is not advised.

As a Toy Dog /Companion breed the Biewers have a truly unique
disposition. They are inquisitive little dogs that possess a lively spirit.
Biewers are known to be loving and trusting and are very eager to please.

Even though they are small in size their personality has great magnitude.
The Biewer is often referred to a energetic, assertive little clowns and this
tiny dog comes packed with personality.

The Biewer's tail is left undocked -( tail natural ) and is presented/exhibited
in its natural state.

Please review the full Standard for the Biewer.

What should you be looking for in a responsible Biewer breeder?

  • Responsible Biewer breeders are knowledgeable about the breed
    standard and will strive to conform as closely to the Biewer breed
    standard as possible to help ensure that their progeny will reduce
    inherited health problems as well as reduce faults to a minimum.

  • They welcome your questions and are willing to discuss the
    socialization of the puppies.  They can make recommendations for
    continued socialization and training.  They are willing to provide you with
    support during the life of the dog.

  • The environment that the Biewers and puppies are kept in should be
    open for your inspection and should be kept in a sanitary condition.
    They should welcome you to visit the Biewer puppies.  Biewers that are
    raised in the breeders home are better socialized and on their way to
    piddle pad training.

  • At least the dam of the litter should be on the premises and available
    for your inspection.  If they do not own the sire, pictures and information
    about how to contact the owner of the sire should be available to you.  
    If the breeder that you contact has no puppies available at that time,
    they may be able to recommend another reputable breeder in their
    Breed Club.

  • The breeder will have provided proper medical care and nutrition to all
    their pups and will provide you with medical records as well as proof of
    DNA testing, blood panel including liver/ (random bile acid test) and will
    provide a genetic disease guarantee.

  • Responsible Biewer breeders will have DNA tested the parents for the
    sake of their progeny.  The breeder will be willing and able to discuss
    whatever faults his/her dogs have (and all dogs have faults... no dog is
    perfect). They will have a written contract and bill of sale, which you
    should read very carefully and ask appropriate questions if you have
    them.

  • A reputable breeder will offer a health guarantee of at least one year.  
    Sires and Dames should be free of any serious congenital or hereditary
    defects.  The contract should stipulate if the breeder will pay any
    veterinarian costs or if puppies will be replaced if they are proven to
    have congenital defects.

So you ask – where do I find a Biewer Breeder with all these
qualities?

  • The Internet is a great place to search for Biewer breeders. Many
    breeders use websites to educate the public and educate you about the
    breed and their dogs. Beware of sites where the sale of puppies is the
    primary focus or where you can order a puppy through a feedback form.

  • Breed Clubs like the Biewer Breed Club International (BBCI) can be
    found through search engines or through breeder sites.  The Breed
    Clubs can give you information regarding the breed, what to expect
    from your Biewer and links to breeders who adhere to a certain Code
    of Ethics.  All breed clubs that pertain to the Biewer are not for the
    betterment of the breed.  If breeders mix the Biewer with the Yorkshire
    Terrier they are not striving for the perfection that the BBCI has made
    such a high priority as the BBCI will never advocate the mixing of any
    breeds.

  • Internet chat forums like Biewer Fanciers or Biewer Talk are a great
    ways to communicate with other Biewer owners both pet Biewers and
    Show Biewers alike.  These people have a greater insight as to whom
    the good breeders and the bad breeders are.

  • Reputable breeders usually don't advertise in the local classified
    newspaper ads, glitzy dog magazines, or on a poster taped to a wall in
    the laundromat -- the places that the average person might look.

  • Responsible breeders do not sell to pet stores.   Most importantly,
    they will not sell their litters in lots. And while some will say it's because
    the breeders are being snobby, the real reason is quite simple these
    venues encourage impulse buying and their pups may end up in less
    than stellar atmospheres like puppy mills.

  • Specialty Dog Shows – take some time to visit a specialty dog show.  
    See the Biewers in action, talk to Biewer breeders who spend their time
    showing their dogs, talk to the handlers – not all owners show their own
    Biewers... some use handlers.  Most dog people would love to bend
    your ear telling you about their dogs but the dog show environment
    sometimes isn't conducive from the breeder’s standpoint for them to
    spend the time they need to get to know you. Shows can be hectic and
    nerve-wracking for exhibitors, and it probably would be a good idea not
    to waylay someone on their way into a ring.  Take their contact
    information and contact them privately.

  • If you find it impossible to find the perfect Biewer or reputable breeder
    in your area, you may need to consider shipping a dog in from another
    part of the country or another country for that matter.  Videotapes,
    email and shipping by airplanes might make it possible for you to have
    the Biewer you want.
  • Purchasing long distance from a responsible breeder can be a
    rewarding experience, or it may be more of an experience than you
    bargained for. Other countries have different laws and standards so
    you must be exceptionally vigilant about checking out any breeders you
    are considering that cannot be easily visited or communicated with.  
    Don't forget the language barrier!  Contact former buyers for
    references to see what difficulties if any they experienced.


It’s a two way street between you and your chosen responsible
breeder...

  • A responsible breeder will want to interview you.  

  • Biewer breeders work very hard to breed quality well adjusted Biewers.
His or her heart and soul goes into each puppy and they want to ensure  
that their puppies will go to forever loving homes.  

Are you are right for the Biewer breed?  

They want you to enjoy every aspect of owning a Biewer!  Much like a
godparent, the breeder will contact you from time to time as to how the
puppy is progressing. And like a godparent, they will look forward to the
buyer sending them pictures and keeping them appraised of the puppy’s
progress.

In other words... when you buy a puppy from a responsible breeder you are  
buying a part of that breeder as much as you are buying that puppy.  They
come as a package deal!


Thanks to Helen Curran for this wonderful article!
Finding A Reputable Biewer
Breeder