Daily Maintenance:
While a Biewer Terrier’s coat is stunning and elegant, a long dropcoat easily forms tangles/mats and should be brushed AND combed daily. A pin brush and a metal comb in necessary to get right down to the skin. Brushing the coat when it is dry can cause breakage, so use a conditioning or brushing spray. Tangles/mats will not go away on their own and can become painful. A mat can be broken up by applying a little spray, conditioner or hair oil and gently teasing it apart with a finger or the end of a rat-tail comb.
Bath:
Biewer Terriers have hair rather than fur, so bathing on a weekly basis is recommended. More mats form on unclean hair and bathing also promotes healthy hair and growth. Before the bath, make sure the coat is tangle and mat-free. It is important to use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner formulated for long and/or drop coats. Massage diluted shampoo gently in a downward motion, rinse, and apply diluted conditioner. Rinse well 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.
Blow-Dry:
Apply a conditioning spray or cream before drying. A high-velocity dryer is fast and effective for a long coat. It can be frightening for a young dog, so 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 through the coat continuously to speed up the drying process, remove tangles, straighten, and reduce frizz. Check for mats and skin issues while you dry. Be careful not to dry at an angle that allows the hair to whip around and double back into "whipknots". Adjust your angle so that the hair blows away from the tip of your dryer. You can also use the brush or your free hand to hold down long sections of hair as you dry. When finished drying, brush and comb thoroughly to ensure all tangles and mats are gone.
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 'yuckies" with a fine-tooth comb first and then wipe the area with a soft, moistened facecloth. You also can use a dab of a mild shampoo on a soft washcloth if the area is particularly soiled. Be sure to dry the area with a towel or paper towels, as leaving the hair wet can cause infections. You can also dab with a tissue or soft washcloth periodically during the day to keep the area dry.
Shaving & Scissoring:
The top third (1/3) of the ears should be shaved regularly to keep the weight off the ears. Otherwise, delicate cartilage may weaken causing the ears to flop. After shaving, carefully scissor the top third (1/3) of the edge of the ears into a neat point. Shave in between the paw 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. 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 groomer for this.
Nails
It is important to clip and/or grind nails often, so that the "quick" recedes. It is best to get in the habit of doing nails weekly after a bath. Since their nails are so tiny, you may find cat scissors the easiest. You can see the pink quick on white nails, but it is a little harder on black ones. Clip as close to the quick as you can without causing the nail to bleed. If you do clip the nail too short and it bleeds, dip it in styptic powder or cornstarch. A nail grinder shapes and smooths the nail, but requires desensitizing to the noise. The more expensive Diamagroove attachments are excellent, as they do not heat up the nail as much nor catch the hair.