Biewer vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Biewer vs American Water Spaniel - Breed ComparisonAmerican Water Spaniel is originated from United States but Biewer is originated from Germany. American Water Spaniel may grow 24 cm / 10 inches higher than Biewer. American Water Spaniel may weigh 16 kg / 36 pounds more than Biewer. Both American Water Spaniel and Biewer has almost same life span. Both American Water Spaniel and Biewer has almost same litter size. American Water Spaniel requires Moderate Maintenance. But Biewer requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Terrier dog
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United States
Germany
Height Male:
36 - 46 cm
14 - 19 inches
20 - 22 cm
7 - 9 inches
Height Female:
34 - 44 cm
13 - 18 inches
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 20 kg
24 - 45 pounds
3 - 4 kg
6 - 9 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 18 kg
24 - 40 pounds
2 - 3 kg
4 - 7 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
2 - 5
Size:
Medium
Toy
Other Names:
Amerikanischer Wasserspaniel • AWS • AM Water Spaniel
Biewer • Biewer à la Pom Pon • Biewer Yorkie • Biewer Yorkshire • Biewer Yorkie Terrier • Biewer Yorkshire Terrier • Biro Yorkshire Terrier
Colors Available:
Liver, Brown, Dark Chocolate
blue,black, tan, white piebald
Coat:
DOuble, Wavy and Curly, thick
straight, shiny and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Alert, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Social
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

american water spanielThe American Water Spaniel was developed in the United States. He is the state dog of Wisconsin and was developed there in the 19th century. The bloodlines of this spaniel are varied but certainly include the English Water Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel. Even though they are the state dog of Wisconsin they were almost extinct when Dr. Fred J. Pfeifer rescued the breed. The numbers had fallen after World War II because hunting was now a recreational sport and not needed to provide food for the family. He then started a breed club and wrote a breed standard, both of which were recognized by the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. When first developed the American Water Spaniel was known as the American Brown Spaniel. It was bred with a curly, thick coat so that it cold be sustained in Wisconsin winters and cold water. It was bred to hunt grouse, water fowl and prairie chickens as well as furry land animals. Pfeifer advertised his dogs for sale everywhere using a mailer that read: “, "The American Brown Spaniel is distinctively an American production. Hunters have known this type for years and it was through their efforts that this dog was propagated.... For years we have bred only selective stock, breeding for gameness, stability, courage, intelligence, and beauty. They are dogs to admire and trust under all conditions whether in the home circle or in the field with the outdoor man."[2]

In Wisconsin, around the wolf River and the Fox River, hunters were looking for a water dog that could also hunt on land. They needed a dog that could work a variety of fowl and game but who was small enough for a skiff and strong enough for the artic water temperatures of Wisconsin in the Winter. So, in addition to the spaniels named above, other breeds such as the Curly Coated Retriever, the Poodle, Native Indian dogs and the Sussex Spaniel were intermixed. When first developed the American Water Spaniel was known as the American Brown Spaniel. It was bred with a curly, thick coat so that it cold be sustained in Wisconsin winters and cold water. It was bred to hunt grouse, water fowl and prairie chickens as well as furry land animals. The American Water Spaniel was then itself used to develop another new breed, the Boykin Spaniel. In 1985 Wisconsin declared the American Water Spaniel to be the official state dog. Even so there remain only a few thousand dogs in existence. Though recognized by the AKC, they are neither spaniels nor retrievers and remain unclassified. Because of this they cannot compete in AKC field trials, but they do compete in AKC hunt tests. Though rare, the American Water Spaniel is a great hunting dog, retriever and companion.

biewerThe Biewer is, or was, a piebald Yorkie caused by a recessive gene in a breeding of two Yorkshire Terriers. On Jan 20, 1984 a piebald Yorkshire puppy was born in Hunsruck, Germany to Gertrud and Werner Biewer. The puppy was considered beautiful and the Biewer’s fell in love with it and began a process od selective breeding in an effort to breed piebald Yorkies. Based on a friend’s suggestion, they named this group of puppies, “Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom Pon”. By 1989 the Allgemeiner Club der Hundefreunde Deurschland (ACH) officially recognized the Biewer Yorkie as a separate breed. Today they are recognized world wide as two separate breeds.

Today there have been genetic studies done that have declared the Biewer Terrier to be a separate and distinct breed from the Yorkshire Terrier, not simply tricolored Yorkies. The BTCA (Biewer Terrier Club of America) changed the name and standard to an original one for the Biewer Terrier. Mrs. Biewer has accepted and signed this revised standard and it is the only one she has accepted. This new standard allows the Biewer Terrier to have a black coat and an undocked tail. In 2014 with the new standard the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service (ACK/FSS) accepted the Biewer Terrier. Some breeders still want the breed called the Biewer Yorkshire a la Pom Pon, but Mrs. Biewer has objected to this, insisting the dog is a terrier. The Biewer Breed Club of America (BBCA) insists on the breeding of Biewers only to other Biewers. This is opposed by others who are importing Biewers and breeding them with Yorkies. The result is not recognized as a purebred dog. BBCA breeders do not engage in this type of cross breeding or condone them. The BBCA breeds only dogs that meet the standard set by the BTCA.

The first two Biewers were imported to the States in 2003 by Donna Hall. They made history in 2003, when they were accepted by the IABCA (International All Breed Canine Association) and entered their first dog show. Today they are shown in rare breed dog shows around the world. Today there are two standards in operation for the Biewer as the American Biewer and the North American Kennel Club continue to follow the German standard while the BBCA follow the revised standard approved by Mrs. Biewer.

Description

american water spaniel puppy - descriptionThe American Water spaniel is a midsized, muscular dog. There is nothing flashy about his looks or his work performance. He is however a consistent, competent swimmer and hunter. His brown coat is wavy or tightly curled, waterproof and dense. His feet have thick pads and webbed toes. The AWS is intelligent, happy, and easy going. He is a very versatile hunting dog on land and in water. The breed has not changed much since it originated in the 19th century. They can be liver, chocolate or brown. The eyes should be the same as the color of the coat. They have broad skulls with wide, long ears and an undocked tail.

They have a square, medium sized muzzle and wide nose. They have a bite that is level or scissors. The legs of the muscular American Water Spaniel are medium in length and the tail is full, with a medium length, curved and feathered. The dewclaws might or might not be removed.

biewer puppy - descriptionThis long-haired terrier is a neat and compact toy dog. Their hair should be as long as their body is high and hang straight from the bottom of his skull to the end of his tail which is carried upward. He is a well proportioned and powerful little dog. He has no undercoat, but his overcoat is very much like human hair and should be combed. The head is a signature of the Biewer, covered with symmetrical gold, white and blue/black hair. They have flat, small heads and a black nose with an average muzzle. They have intelligent, dark, medium sized eyes and small ears shaped as a V and standing erect. All four legs are straight, and the hips are well formed. They have round feet and an undocked tail.

Characteristics

american water spaniel dog - characteristicsBred to work the American Water Spaniels are loyal to their people, want to please them, but are not so great with strangers. They are stubborn and love to be the center of attention. They are often one person or one family dogs. They need an owner who is the pack leader and willing to put in the time to train them. However, they are a versatile breed and need variety in training and activities rather than repetitive activities. They are prone to resource guarding, slow maturation and dominance. These negative traits are dissipated with a strong leader, good training and a lot of daily activity. They are sensitive as well as stubborn. Do not use a punishment-oriented training with them. They will respond out of love and loyalty or not at all. This is a breed that wants to be the alpha over the people and will do so if you let him. Keep them fenced as being hunters they love to wander and will leave home whenever they can.

biewer dog - characteristicsThe Biewer Terrier loves to be loved and he returns it in volumes. This is a dedicated, fun loving and charming little dog that you can carry around. They are loyal and friendly, athletic and alert. They are barkers when they need to be, but they are not “yappy dogs”. They love toys so make sure they have plenty. They will carry them wherever they go.

Health Problems

american water spaniel puppies - health problemsThe American Water Spaniel is a hardy, healthy breed without a lot of the genetic concerns of other breeds. Some of the concerns of this breed include vision, cardiac, hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy. They might also have skin issues and metabolic disorders.

biewer puppies - health problemsThe Biewer Terrier is not a cross breed or hybrid and so does have some of the very serious health issues of the Yorkshire Terrier including the bane of small dogs with liver shunts. Liver shunts are fatal if they are not treated. The breed does have sensitive stomach issues as well. They face other small dog issues like floating patella’s, ear and skin infections. Other than this the Biewer Terrier is a very healthy breed.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

american water spaniel dogs - caringFeeding the American Water Spaniel is no mystery. They need a high quality dry dog food with an eye toward calorie consumption. Some AWS have a tendency to become obese. Treats are important to the AWS in training but can add to the obesity concerns.

Health

Like other isolated breeds that were bred true, the genetic issues we see in many other popular breeds are not seen as much in the American Water Spaniel. They do however have a few issues to contend with.

Eyes: These issues appear to be inherited with progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Many AWS that develop cataracts do so at a very young age, usually under a year. Metabolic: Diabetes, hypothyroidism, glandular disorders and epilepsy. Baldness and Cardiac Issues. Orthopedic: Hip dysplasia. There is no evidence to suggest any elbow dysplasia. Additional concerns are hypothyroidism, allergies, epilepsy, diabetes and glandular disorders which Of course, the American Water Spaniel is an athlete who loves to be outdoors. He loves to swim, run and hunt. He needs daily exercise, or he can become loud and destructive. They thrive on having a job and they are not happy if they don’t have one. They are good at agility, obedience, dock diving and field trials. They also enjoy flyball and barn hunt.

Feeding

biewer dogs - caringAs previously mentioned the Biewer Terrier has a very sensitive stomach and intestinal system. He should be fed low protein dry dog food. Watch for signs of food allergies such as scratching or chewing on his feet. Feed 2-3 times a day but the Biewer Terrier is one of the few dogs that you can safely free feed unless you notice substantial gaining of weight.

Health issues

Health issues are few as mentioned previously. However, make sure your Briewer’s ears are free of debris and wax, make sure their teeth are brushed and they show no signs of allergies. Along with liver shunts, sensitive intestinal and stomach issues and floating patellas, these are the other minor issues that might occur. Watch for diarrhea and off colored stools.

Exercise and games

The Biewer Terrier is an active dog that needs regular exercise and walks. He is a speed demon as his ancestor the Yorkie is and needs an outlet for running as well as daily walks. They love to run, and they love to play. They do great in agility but love adventures. They are smart and love to learn tricks. Since they love hunting vermin they would also excel at Barn Hunt.

Comparison with other breeds

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  5. Biewer vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Biewer vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Biewer vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Biewer vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Biewer vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Biewer vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Biewer vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Biewer vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Biewer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Biewer vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  16. Biewer vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Biewer vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Biewer vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Biewer vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
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  25. Biewer vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. American Water Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. American Water Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. American Water Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. American Water Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. American Water Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. American Water Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. American Water Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. American Water Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. American Water Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. American Water Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. American Water Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. American Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. American Water Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. American Water Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. American Water Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. American Water Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. American Water Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. American Water Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. American Water Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. American Water Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. American Water Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. American Water Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. American Water Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. American Water Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. American Water Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison