Grooming Your Biewer Terrier: A Bonding Experience
One of the most distinctive things about the Biewer Terrier is their beautiful, silk-like hair. Since they have hair rather than fur, they are hypoallergenic and don’t shed—which is great for your allergies, but it does mean they need a little extra TLC from you!
Choosing the Right Style
The Full Coat: If you love the “glam” look and enjoy the process of hair care and styling, keeping your Biewer in a full coat is a beautiful project.
The “Puppy Cut”: This is my top recommendation for families. It’s a shorter, manageable length that keeps your pup looking adorable while making your daily maintenance much easier.
Bathing 101: Keeping Your “Babe” Clean
Depending on your lifestyle, a bath is usually a weekly event. If your pups share your bed, you’ll likely want to bathe them more often. Puppies, in particular, can get a bit messy during potty training, so it’s a good habit to check their “back-end” every evening. Trust me, it’s much better than discovering a mess at 11:30 PM when you’re ready for sleep.
Setting Up for Success
Before you start the water, have everything within arm’s reach: a face comb, shampoo, conditioner, and a big fluffy towel.
Safety First: Never leave your puppy alone in the sink to go grab a forgotten towel.
The Sink Setup: If you’re using the kitchen sink, make sure the disposal is covered. I also recommend putting a washcloth on the bottom of the sink so your pup feels steady and doesn’t slip around.
The “No-Squirm” Bath
Get your puppy nice and soaked (just avoid the nostrils!). It’s normal for them to wiggle at first, but try to stay calm and firm. If you let them climb out or “win” the squirming match now, it’ll be a struggle every time. Hold them safely, speak softly, and they’ll soon realize it’s just warm water. Eventually, many Biewers actually find this relaxing and may even fall asleep during their spa day.
Shampooing & Massaging
Once they’ve settled, massage in the shampoo with lots of love. Use a small comb or a soft sponge to gently clear away any eye “boogers.” If they start to shiver when the water is off, your massage will help keep them warm and relaxed. Pay extra attention to the paws and the tail area. Rinse until the hair feels squeaky clean. Any leftover soap will make their hair look greasy once it’s dry.
Drying & Finishing Touches
Wrap your pup in a towel and give them a good snuggle to soak up the water. I like to wrap them up and let them “pre-dry” in a crate for a few minutes with a blow dryer (on a safe, warm setting) nearby. They’ll usually rub themselves all over the towel and do half the work for you. Then, move to a table or your lap. Always keep one hand on your puppy so they don’t take a tumble. Dry them in sections, starting with the back and belly, and finishing with the face. Make sure they are 100% dry, especially in “hidden” spots like behind the ears and under the front legs where mats love to hide.
Don’t Forget the Nails. Tidying up the paws is much easier if the nails are trimmed first. It’s best to do this while they are still damp and tucked into their towel. If the nails get too long, the “quick” (the pink vein) grows out too, making it impossible to get them short again without hurting the pup.
A Little Trick: Use your hair dryer to blow the hair away from the paw. It acts like a spotlight so you can see exactly where the nail ends.
