Von Edelweiss Biewer Terriers is a preservation-focused breeding program based in San Diego, California, dedicated to a breed that most people still haven't heard of — the Biewer Terrier. If you're unfamiliar, think of it as a cousin to the Yorkshire Terrier, but with a distinctive tri-colored coat and its own AKC recognition since 2021. It's the 197th breed to earn that status, making it one of the newest additions to the AKC Toy Group. The program is run by Anita, a breeder, fancier, and AKC exhibitor whose journey with the breed began in 2020 and has moved quickly from newcomer to one of the leading names in the Biewer Terrier community across the United States.

The term "preservation breeder" gets thrown around a lot in dog circles, but at Von Edelweiss it carries specific weight. It means every breeding decision starts with health testing, structural evaluation, and adherence to the official Biewer Terrier breed standard — not trends, not coat color preferences, and not volume. Anita doesn't breed to fill a waiting list. She breeds with the goal of producing puppies that are better than the previous generation, addressing structural weaknesses and strengthening the lines over time. As a reviewer, I find this approach refreshing in an industry where "puppies available now!" is often the loudest message you'll see online.

Health testing is a central pillar of the program. All breeding adults undergo DNA health testing and are profiled through Embark, and the dogs carry CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) certification through the OFA. These aren't token checkboxes — CHIC certification requires that a dog has completed all breed-specific health tests recommended by the parent club, and the results are publicly available. For a toy breed where genetic conditions can be a real concern, that level of transparency matters. Von Edelweiss is also recognized as an AKC Breeder of Merit and participates in the AKC's Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program, both of which signal adherence to responsible breeding practices.

The show ring results back up the breeding philosophy. Anita's foundation male, Elvis, earned Reserve Winners Dog at the inaugural Biewer Terrier National Specialty in Orlando, Florida. Her female Nova won the Puppy Sweepstakes at the 2024 National Specialty at just nine months old, earning the Biewer Terrier Puppy of the Year award. The program has produced three champions in roughly three years of breeding, and the dogs compete regularly at AKC shows up and down the West Coast — from Santa Rosa and the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles, San Diego, and beyond into Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Florida. In my opinion, that kind of commitment to showing is one of the clearest indicators of a breeder who's truly invested in breed quality, not just producing pet puppies.

Puppies at Von Edelweiss are raised in the home, not in a kennel facility. Anita uses enhanced socialization protocols — sometimes called early neurological stimulation — to make sure puppies are confident and well-adjusted before they go to their new families. The placement process isn't a first-come, first-served sale. Prospective owners fill out an application, go through an interview, and have their references checked. The site actually has a dedicated page explaining why the breeder doesn't say "puppies for sale" — because to a preservation breeder, placement is about matching a puppy with the right family for its lifetime, not just completing a transaction. Every puppy comes with a standing commitment: if life circumstances change, Von Edelweiss will always take the dog back.

The website itself doubles as an educational resource for anyone interested in the breed. There are blog posts covering topics like how to pick a reputable Biewer breeder, why "teacup" Biewer Terriers should be avoided (spoiler: the term is a marketing gimmick that often masks health risks), grooming tips for the breed's long silky coat, and a detailed breakdown of why Biewer Terriers cost what they do. That last one is a question every breeder gets, and Anita addresses it head-on — health testing, quality food, show entries, stud fees, veterinary care, and the time invested in raising each litter properly all add up. It's the kind of honest explanation that helps potential owners understand what goes into producing a healthy, well-bred puppy.

For anyone not familiar with the Biewer Terrier temperament, these are companion dogs through and through. They were created with one job — to love and be loved. They're lively, adaptable, and eager to please, but they still need proper socialization and gentle guidance. They can do well in dog sports, earn Canine Good Citizen titles, and learn tricks, but their primary role is as a family companion. Von Edelweiss is upfront about the fact that this breed fits best in a home where the dog is treated as a real member of the family, not an accessory.

The program also maintains a Good Dog breeder profile, which is a third-party platform that verifies breeding practices and provides another layer of public accountability. Between the AKC credentials, the health certifications, the show ring results, and the educational content on the website, Von Edelweiss presents a clear picture of a breeder who takes the long view on what responsible dog breeding looks like. For anyone searching for a Biewer Terrier puppy in the United States, this is the type of program worth looking into — one where quality, health, and the breed's future come before everything else.

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