GROOMING YOUR BIEWER TERRIER

 

Daily Maintenance:

Biewer Terriers' coats are undeniably stunning and elegant! However, a long dropcoat requires daily care and, depending on the coat texture of each individual dog, it may form tangles or mats easily. It should be brushed & combed every day with a pin brush and metal comb to get through the hair right down to the skin. Brushing the coat when it is dry can cause breakage, so it is important to use a conditioning or detangling spray. Tangles & mats will not go away on their own and can become painful. They may be broken up by applying a little spray, conditioner or hair oil and gently teasing them apart with a finger or the end of a rat-tail comb.

 

Bath:

Biewer Terriers have hair rather than fur, so bathing weekly is recommended. More mats form on unclean hair and bathing also promotes healthy hair and growth. It is important to use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner formulated for long and/or drop coats. Massage shampoo gently in a downward motion, rinse, and then apply conditioner. Rinse out the conditioner and squeeze off excess water. Towel dry by blotting gently with a towel to remove moisture and lessen the drying time. Do not rub vigorously with the towel, as that creates mats and tangles.

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Blow-Dry:

Apply a conditioning spray or cream before drying. A high-velocity dryer is fast and effective on a long coat, but can be frightening for a young dog. Start with short sessions on a low speed and gradually increase the speed in subsequent sessions. Turn down the speed and heat on sensitive areas, such as the face and genitals. While blow-drying, brush the coat continuously to speed up the drying process, remove tangles, straighten, and reduce frizz. Check for mats and skin issues as you dry. Angle the dryer to blow the hair down and away from the tip of the nozzle, so that hair does not whip around and double back into "whipknots". You can also hold down long sections of hair as you dry with the brush or a free hand. When finished drying, brush and comb thoroughly to ensure all tangles and mats are gone.

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Eyes:

It is important to clean the eyes daily, as debris from tearing collects on the hairs below the eyes. It is best to remove the little 'uckies" with a fine-tooth comb first and then wipe the area with a soft tissue. You can dab with a tissue or soft washcloth periodically during the day to keep the area dry. If the area is particularly soiled, you can use a small amount of mild shampoo on a clean, wet washcloth, or a product designed for cleaning the eye area. However, be sure to dry the area with a towel or paper towel, as leaving the hair wet can encourage bacterial growth.

 

Shaving & Scissoring:   

To keep the ears erect, the tips of the ears should be shaved regularly on the front and back (approximately the top third). Otherwise, delicate cartilage can weaken from the hair's weight and cause the ears to flop. After shaving, carefully scissor the top third of the edge of the ears into a neat point, keeping away from the ear leather. Regularly shave the paw pads, including between the pads, and scissor the hair around the paws into a neat, rounded shape. Carefully shave around the anus and private area. Once the coat reaches floor length, it may be trimmed evenly at the floor for ease of movement. This is all the shaving and scissoring necessary for a Biewer Terrier in full coat. Some pet owners prefer to keep their dogs in a shorter "puppy" or "teddy" cut and often take their dog to a professional groomer for this.

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Nails

It is important to clip and/or grind nails often, so that the "quick" stays receded. It is best to get into the habit of doing nails weekly or bi-weekly. Since their nails are so tiny, you may find cat scissors the easiest. Clip as close to the quick as you can without causing the nail to bleed. You can see the pink quick on white nails, but it is a little harder on black ones. If you do clip a nail too short and it bleeds, dip it in styptic powder or cornstarch. A nail grinder shapes and smooths the nail, but requires desensitization to the noise. This can be done by turning on the grinder for a short time each day. Once the pup is used to the sound, try doing one or two nails the first time and then increase in subsequent sessions. The more expensive Diamagroove attachments are excellent, as they do not heat up the nail nor grab the hair.