The biewer is a new and modern dog breed that has recently seen some recognition from the American Kennel Club in 2021. However, the breed has been around for at least a few decades with some of the first iterations being brought about in the 1980s. While these dogs are highly sought-after, it’s important to consider any health issues before you adopt.
The good news is that we’re here to help. This article covers some general information about the biewer breed, biewer health Issues, and how you can prevent them. Read on to learn more below.
What Is a Biewer?
The biewer, also referred to as a biewer terrier, has been around since the 1980s but didn’t get any official recognition by the American Kennel Club until 2021. That said, this breed is known for having a great temperament, a playful attitude, and enough intelligence to learn complex commands.
While they may look like a Yorkie, biewers have notable differences, mostly related to color. For this reason, most biewers are a combination of white, black, and blue. Some biewers may also have gold or fawn shades as well.
As for their general health and lifespan, they’re a healthy breed that lives for around 10-15 years. Still, there are some biewer health issues that you need to be aware of before adopting.
Biewer Health Issues
Some of the most common health issues that biewers may face include:
- Tracheal collapse
- Bladder stones and other uric acid problems
- Patellar luxation
- Hypoglycemia
- Allergies
- Digestive problems
- Dental health problems
- Eye conditions
- Distichiasis
These are only some of the health issues your biewer may face. We cover some rare and breed-specific biewer health issues below.
Legg-Calve Perthes Syndrome
Legg-Perthes syndrome is a dangerous condition that can impact all medium-sized dogs but it’s common in biewer terriers. It’s a condition that causes the hip joint to collapse and crumble, which can prevent a dog from walking.
Typically, it will happen when the dog is younger but this condition can occur later in life. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to stop its progression as it’s a degenerative condition.
Sensitive Digestive System
Biewers aren’t picky eaters by choice; it’s because their digestive system isn’t the best at handling some types of food. For this reason, they may have diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating when eating the wrong foods.
This is why it’s important to find a good that your biewer terrier can eat and keep them on that diet. Avoid feeding them people food and other foods that may bother their stomachs. Additionally, biewers may encounter problems with certain types of treats.
Portosystemic Shunt
A rare condition that can impact biewers, this condition develops when the dog is young and can cause several neurological and physical problems. At the start, you might not notice anything but if the condition gets worse it can lead to a biewer’s demise. A portosystemic shunt is a vein that bypasses the liver.
This is a problem because the circulatory system needs to pass through the liver to remove toxins from the blood. Unfortunately, this bypass results in elevated toxins in the blood that can lead to seizures and other health problems.
How to Prevent Biewer Health Issues
The best way to prevent biewer health issues is to remain vigilant in their healthcare, diet, and exercise routine. Most health issues that dogs deal with come later in life and they can be mitigated with proper dental care, exercise, and a nutritional diet.
Also, make sure you take your biewer to the vet frequently to catch any potential health issues before they turn into something worse. When it comes to biewer-specific health conditions, like their digestion issues, focus on choosing the right foods and limit their food intake to only things they can tolerate.
Manage Biewer Terrier Health Issues Today
Biewers are great canine companions but that doesn’t mean they have perfect health. It’s important to understand biewer health issues to avoid running into any problems. Take your biewer to the vet every year and do your best to keep their diet healthy.
We also recommend dental treats, regular grooming, and plenty of exercise to keep your biewer happy and healthy. Once you know health issues are possible, preventing them becomes a breeze