Biewer Terrier Faults & Disqualifications

Article by Biewer Terrier Club of Canada, Inc.

🔥With winter weather settling in, it’s time for a Biewer Fever Hot Topic (BFHT) to warm everyone up!🔥

Our last BFHT discussed how trends that deviate from the breed standard can, over time, become a “silent breed killer”. Although the written standard is really a “standard of perfection”, there is no such thing as a perfect dog. Therefore, reputable breeders strive to produce puppies who align with the standard as closely as possible. Although we believe judges should first look for virtues rather than faults, it is critical to breed preservation that we know what traits are considered incorrect for the Biewer Terrier. To that end, today’s BFHT is “Faults & Disqualifications”🔥

Anything that deviates from the desired characteristics articulated in the breed standard is considered a fault. In the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Biewer Terrier breed standard, distinct deviations are separated into two categories: “Faults” and Disqualifications”. A dog with faults is permitted to be shown because, as aforementioned, all dogs have faults. However, disqualifications (DQ) are more severe and judges should disqualify a dog with a DQ from exhibiting in a conformation show. Where necessary, we have added short explanations to the faults and disqualifications from the breed standard listed below:

FAULTS

• Over 3.7 kg (8.2lbs); under 1.8 kg (4lbs) as an adult.

• Over or undershot bite:

◦ A level or scissor bite is desirable.

• Incomplete pigment on the eye rims, nose, and lips:

◦ Eye rims, nose, and lips should be completely black.

• Roach or rounded back; high in front or rear; hackneyed gait in adults:

◦ Proper structure makes a dog aesthetically pleasing and enables it to move gracefully. They also have less issues with arthritis, pain, etc.

• Incorrect placement of ponytail:

◦ Head fall is tied up into a single ponytail on top of the head, hanging loose.

◦ Puppy ponytails may be placed a little lower on the forehead to gather the short hairs.

◦ A bow is used for adornment.

• Small amount of tan on the upper legs:

◦ Although undesirable, it is important not to eliminate dogs with a very small amount of gold/tan hair where the legs meet the body, so as not to bottleneck the breed’s genetic pool.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

• Head falls that display topknots or roll overs common to other breeds:

◦ The waterfall pony is a breed signature that sets the Biewer Terrier apart from other breeds who have topknots.

• Ears not erect or held erect by tying the hair into the ponytail:

◦ Erect ears is integral to the look of the breed. Tying them into the ponytail to keep them erect is an act of deception.

◦ Dogs with erect ears have less issues with infections.

• Blue eye(s):

◦ Blue eyes are not natural to the breed. A dog with blue eyes is not a purebred Biewer Terrier and should not be bred.

• Brown or liver pigmentation of the eye rims, nose, lips, and pads:

◦ Dogs with brown/liver pigmentation may DNA test as purebred Biewer Terriers, but brown/liver pigmentation is considered a non-standard colour. They cannot be shown in conformation and should not be bred.

• Head colouring that is blue/black & white or only one colour:

◦ The Biewer Terrier is revered as a tri-coloured dog. Because the body only has black & white, a dog would be bi-coloured with no tan/gold on the head.

◦ Head colouring may be any of the following in good symmetry: (a) blue/black, gold/tan, and white; (b) blue/black & gold/tan; or (c) gold/tan & white.

• Body that is all blue/black or all white:

◦ Hair on the back must include blue/black & white.

◦ Amounts of blue/black & white are of personal preference.

• Any other colour or combination of colours that deviate from the following:

◦ The chest, stomach, and tip of the tail are white.

◦ The white from the chest comes up the neck to cover the chin. The beard may stay white or darken as the dog matures.

◦ No amount of tan hair may be found on the back, belly, or chest.

◦ A small amount of gold/tan hair may be found around the anus.

◦ Legs are white from the elbows and stifles down to the feet.

• Any adulteration in the colour of the coat by artificial means:

◦ Altering the colour with dyes, chalks, etc. is an act of deception.

🔥Why should pet owners care about the breed standard as much as breeders, show dog owners, and judges? Breed standards paint a picture of how an ideal example of the breed should look, act, and move. When a Biewer Terrier is well bred—not just purebred—someone meeting one on the street will instantly recognize that they are indeed a Biewer Terrier by their (a) beautiful appearance, (b) graceful and athletic movement, and (c) charming, playful temperament. It is critical to preservation of our breed that we support reputable, ethical breeders who pour their blood, sweat, and tears into producing progeny that align with the breed standard and are of sound health and temperament. If we really care about our beloved breed, we need to stop supporting all the “greeders” out there, i.e. unethical breeders, backyard breeders, puppy millers, puppy flippers, high-volume breeders, scammers, etc. who only care about one thing: money.🔥