The BTCA Breeders’ Education Committee will publish monthly information in the BTCA newsletter to educate both experienced and new Biewer Terrier breeders and exhibitors. Because our audience is wide, some information may be a review for some but new for others.

Our committee chair is Yolanda Cendejas-Gutierrez, with members Dianna Sparkowski and Michele Faxel. We welcome your feedback and questions. To participate, please email your questions or comments. We will respond to as many as possible in the next newsletter.

We look forward to this educational journey with all Biewer Terrier fanciers eager to learn more about our wonderful toy dogs. Our first topic will be an overview of dog anatomy, using a Biewer Terrier outline to apply terms to our breed. This anatomical overview provides a starting point, shared language, and reference for future discussions. Following this, upcoming topics will discuss how to interpret the newly revised standard.

The AKC has an enormous amount of educational material available; we will be pointing this out below. Hopefully anyone will be able to watch these educational videos provided for this particular purpose. Additionally, the AKC canine college provides presentations/videos which are highly recommended.

Genetic health testing through AKC DNA and Health is another very important part of a breeder’s journey.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) provides guidance in which health tests are recommended for our breed. The following exams are required for a CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) certification: ACVO Eye Exam (from a Veterinary Ophthalmologist), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (DNA based prcd-PRA Test), Primary Lens Luxation (DNA based) and Patellar Luxation. These additional tests are recommended but not required: Legg–Calvé–Perthes, Serum Bile Acid, Degenerative Myelopathy, Hyperuricosuria, and Basic Cardiac (auscultation). It is certainly encouraged to go above and beyond minimal recommendations.

There is a large amount of reading material/books out there from which to learn. For example, Maya Savant-Harris has written books which provide a wealth of information on breeding practices. In the coming months I will be compiling a list of many resources to share with the Club Members. If you have any favorites you would like to share as a resource, please send them my way via email.