Mrs. Biewer Answers Biewer Fanciers Questions - October 2007
This is a letter received from Mrs. Gertrude Biewer, wife of Werner Biewer. It was professionally translated from German to English. In it she graciously answered questions that were collected from Biewer fanciers and breeders. They were compiled and sent to her. She was not feeling well, so did not type her responses in a seperate letter, but she did answer the questions by hand in the margins of the letter in reply, with her appologies and her answers to the questions asked. The original letter in German with her handwriting is included below the English translation.
Translation: Questions in black and answers are in red.
Hallo Frau Biewer,
To begin with I would like to thank you for the nice conversation with you. The time you take to speak to people I appreciate very much, and shouldn’t be taken for granted. It made me very happy to speak with one of the people that brought this wonderful breed to life. Every moment I spend with out Biewers, I really have to thank you for.
Unfortunately, a lot of information was lost over the years on the history of the Biewer Yorkshire a la Pom Pon. Some information was passed on incorrectly; I don’t understand why, and think this should be corrected. I found it very interesting that you and your husband always were against inbreeding of Yorkshire Terries, since I have always been told that you had quite some problems with the Biewer/Biewer breeding. Often those breedings turned out way to bright.
Comment about the color: There should be no brown in the neck hair.
Comment about the bright fur: Older dogs can become brighter. There are was a mutation.
I would love to hear more on the beginning of Biewers. If you could provide more information, for example: Pictures, pedigree, I would be very thankful. I would send everything back, and would of course pay for all costs.
I believe we should save as many documents and information as possible for the people to come.
I had some pictures of our breeding printed for you, and I hope you will like them.
Maybe you could select a few on which you find the dog to have everything a Biewer should have. Maybe you would further rate those pictures by quality of the dog. Also please note the dogs that you don’t like, so that I can see what to improve.
Comment on pictures: All your pictures were beautiful.
Some American breeder had the following questions:
1. How old did the Biewer of your breeding get?
Many got old, oldest 16 years and 11 days.
2. How was the fur of the first Biewer? Was there a difference in texture with the black and white fur?
It has to be silky/flossy.
3. Did the first Biewer have more white or tan in the face?
They all were 3-colored.
4. Was the Biewer Standard developed according to your and your husband’s wishes? Was there a time where you and your husband wanted to change the standard? Would you still like to change it, now that you’ve seen how different Biewer can turn out?
I like them how they were and still are. If you breed correctly, the dogs don’t turn out that differently.
5. What mistakes did you and your husband make while breeding Biewer?
We don’t believe we made mistakes, for the dogs stayed healthy and got quite old.
6. How much black should be on the back?
The back should be separated by it.
7. How much did Darling and FruFru weigh?
1200 grams and 2.5 Kilograms.
8. What would you say is a weight limit? What are the minimum/maximum size and weight?
1200 grams to 2.5 Kilograms, very well fed 3Kilograms.
9. How small was the smallest Biewer you bred, how big the biggest?
The smallest was 1000 grams and still got 16 years old as well.
10. Did the Biewer lose beauty and health over the years?
Every dog will become sick if not held correctly.
11. Should the three colors in the face of the dog be present during youth only or also as the dog gets old?
Also as the dogs gets old.
12. Did you want the Biewer to be seen as an independent breed, or as a three-colored Yorkshire?
Well, it is a Yorky, only 3-colored.
13. When you compare Biewer and Yorkshire, it becomes apparent, that Biewer are usually much calmer. Were the first Biewer also very calm?
They are just as Terrier-Like, only more loving. All our dogs were very loving.
14. Did you and your husband ever go back to breed Yorkshire after getting enough genetic material to continue breeding Biewers? Did you stand for a pure breeding, or did you think a Yorkshire should be mixed in every now and then?
It’s a shame that people mix Yorkshires in. It is a fraud towards owner and other breeders.
We would be very happy if you could answer these questions, and want to thank already.
Translator's Comment: At the end Frau Biewer apologizes for replying so briefly on the letter, due to sickness.