If you want to adopt a Biewer Terrier, you will meet a dog with a past. Precisely because this breed is so affectionate, many dogs in shelters suffer from the loss of their person. At first they often seem unsure of themselves or especially clingy. With your patience and his great willingness to learn, though, the little terrier quickly blossoms again.
It is important to take an open-eyed look at his health. Because of their delicate build, Biewer Terriers are prone to breed-typical problems with their knees, teeth and eyes. Known risks in the breed include patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps), lens luxation, progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), chondrodystrophy and subacute necrotising encephalopathy (Leigh syndrome). Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease of the hip joint, hyperuricosuria, degenerative myelopathy and a portosystemic shunt (a malformation of the liver’s blood vessels) also occur in the breed.
A health-focused breeder in the Verband Deutscher Kleinhundezüchter e.V. has the parent dogs clinically examined for knee and eye conditions, pays attention to correct teeth and liver-healthy lines, and uses established DNA tests (for prcd-PRA, for example) to see whether a dog is clear, a carrier or affected, so reducing the risk for the offspring. With rescue dogs, by contrast, the genetic background is often unknown. Some surrendered dogs come from disreputable breeders who mate dogs without such screening. Shelters usually cover vaccinations, microchip and an admission health check; ask to be shown the relevant paperwork in detail. From the start, plan consistent dental care for your new charge, keep his weight down to protect his knees, and see a vet promptly if you notice anything unusual about his eyes or the way he walks.
