[Verbena]

Originally Posted by Marilize

Well done to your son for rescuing the little Biewer! Biewers are really loving little companion dogs who just want to be with you forever. The behaviour that the rescue is displaying will get better if you establish a firm and stable routine for the puppy, so that he doesn't have to be afraid of the world anymore.

Give him plenty of time and space to adjust to his new home, and create a quiet little space for him where he can be alone. Something with three walls and a roof works perfectly, like a travel crate, because dogs are most comfortable in a den with only one entrance. Plenty of exercise and training will help him to develop into a well-rounded dog.

As for his breeding, the piebald gene doesn't have a known association with health issues unless it is expressed excessively. The genes determines that the white colour usually starts on the feet and the more the gene is expressed, the higher up the white colour moves. With Biewers, we want their faces and backs to retain other colours. If they don't, they run the increased risk of developing hereditary deafness.

Retained teeth and undescended testicles is a common problem in small dogs and don't necessarily reflect bad breeding like a bad coat does. To improve his coat, you can feed him a high quality species appropriate diet and supplement with fish oil for added assurance. He won't develop his mature adult coat until about two to three years old.

Great advice. I am so glad that your son rescued him.