Biewer Terrier Club
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Biewer Terrier Club of America, Inc.
Why The Different Names for the Biewer Terrier
The ACH, where Mr. Biewer was a member and registered his dogs, called it a "Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom Pon". Just about every club in Germany calls it a "Biewer Yorkshire Terrier" or "Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom Pon". The decision to call it a Biewer Terrier came about in Aug of 2006, with the reorganization of the BTCA. The club incorporated its name “The Biewer Terrier Club of America" in 2007. Due to its classification and keeping with the breed it was decided that the most fitting name is Biewer Terrier.
The BTCA, Inc. is active in various research programs in order to better understand the Biewer Terrier. This invaluable information will be utilized in putting together responsible breeding programs. We believe in the use of science as an aide in our breeding programs and feel it will cut off years of trial and error. In order to improve on and put together a first rate breeding program, you need to have an informed understanding of the make up of your dog. The club members have done extensive DNA testing on their dogs to prove what is in their genetic make up. Coat coloring is another important test that they are in the process of covering. We back up our theories and dreams with research and scientific information.
The BTCA, Inc. only allows Biewer to Biewer breeding, a decision that was made in Dec. of 2007, after the test results came back on our dogs. Prior to the December decision only selective mating between Biewer and Yorkie were allowed. The tests have proven that there is no such thing as a purebred Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom Pon, or Biewer Yorkshire a la Pom Pon. Our club has dogs from every line in Germany and so far all the dogs are testing in the same realm.
The BTCA, Inc. knows that the Biewer is not a purebred Yorkie and finds it insubstantial to attempt breeding to a Yorkie standard. There are only a few lines that the parents and grandparents can be positively confirmed, the rest you have to rely on what appears on the pedigree. We believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that quite a few of those pedigrees are falsified. So, if you have not been privy to the mating of dogs you cannot affirm that the pedigrees are genuine.
We feel honored that with the other clubs petitioning ARBA for acceptance the BTCA, Inc. was awarded acceptance of the "Biewer Terrier" as a breed. ARBA uses the standard submitted by the BTCA, Inc. which is the standard that best describes this breed.
We feel the shows are important for exposure and we have a lot of fun at them. We have numerous champions, issued by different venues. Zora was the Number 1 Biewer Terrier bitch for 2005 and 2006, but that did not make her a perfect Biewer Terrier. With dedicated breeders paying close attention to what the dog is and with the aide of science, we will be able to attain the goal much sooner.
The BTCA, Inc. is comprised of experienced breeders and dedicated dog fanciers whose common goal is the preservation and betterment of the breed.
The purebred Biewer Terrier Registry
As we continue our research to better our programs, we would like to invite you to the second genetic seminar sponsored by the BTCA, Inc.. It will be held after the ARBA show Sat. May 17th, in Claremont, Ca. Please visit the ARBA calendar for details of the show. http://www.arba.org/2005ShowCalendar.htm
The Biewer Terrier
Using Molecular Genetics as a Tool to Identify a New Dog Breed
Presented by:
Cynthia S. Fuller, Ph.D.
It is generally agreed that multiple distinct wolf domestication events led to the evolution of the dog, known today as Canis familiaris. Certainly, man has played the major role in generating the current diversity of breeds. It is fascinating to realize that no other species, including others domesticated by man, such as cattle or sheep, demonstrates the tremendous phenotypic diversity of the modern dog. What is the explanation for this remarkable variability in size, appearance and behavior?
Although there are roughly 200 distinct dog breeds, they are all one species, and thus, share over 99% of their DNA in common. For the most part, tiny, single point changes in that remaining ~1% of dog DNA explains such anomalies as the size difference between a Chihuahua and a Great Dane. Other sections of dog DNA contain stretches of tandem repeats, which may contribute to the extreme morphological variation between the jaw and skull structure of a Bulldog and a Bull Terrier.
In the case of the Biewer terrier, its resemblance to the Yorkshire terrier might suggest it is a color variant of the Yorkie. However, analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotype analysis of DNA samples from approximately 50 Biewer Terriers indicates these animals are genetically distinct from Yorkies and may be considered a separate breed.
This talk will include introductory background in genetics, including molecular genetics, and presentation of Biewer terrier data generated by Dr. Paul Jones of Mars Veterinary in collaboration with BTCA. There will be ample time for questions and discussion.
Biography of the Speaker
Dr. Fuller received her doctorate in molecular genetics from the University of Maryland and performed basic research at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, where she completed her post-doctoral education. Dr. Fuller then pursued a long career in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, where she worked for Life Technologies, Genentech and Amgen. She has led teams for diagnostic and therapeutic product development and has coordinated in-depth analyses of numerous product development programs.
Dr. Fuller’s training and experience provide the skill set necessary to evaluate and interpret the growing body of molecular genetics data supporting the Biewer terrier as a distinct breed. A life-long dog lover, she has participated in the growth of her sister’s kennel, Absolutely Adorable Biewers, and has worked with BTCA (Biewer Terrier Club of America) since 01/08. Dr. Fuller currently resides in Southern California with her husband, teenage children, four dogs and a cat.
