Drever

Overview

The Drever is a short-legged Swedish scenthound bred to drive deer, hare, and fox toward standing hunters at a walking pace slow enough that game doesn't panic. It's the most popular hunting dog in Sweden, out-registering all the taller Swedish hounds combined.

As a companion it's friendly, calm indoors, and unusually adaptable for a working scenthound. It fits homes that want a moderately sized dog with hunting-hound character, a strong nose, and enough biddability to live comfortably in a family setting. Outside Scandinavia the breed is rare.

History & origin

The Drever developed in Sweden during the early 1900s when Swedish hunters began importing the Westphalian Dachsbracke from Germany. The German short-legged scenthound suited Swedish conditions well because it could drive game slowly through dense forest without spooking deer into wild flight. Swedish hunters selectively bred a slightly longer-legged, larger version.

By the 1940s the Swedish type had diverged clearly from the German original, and Swedish Kennel Club members held a public naming competition in 1947 to give the new breed a distinct identity. The winning entry, 'Drever,' comes from the Swedish verb for driving game.

The FCI recognized the Drever under Standard No. 130. The AKC does not recognize the breed. Swedish hunters register roughly three thousand Drever puppies each year, more than any other Swedish hunting breed. The Drever also appears in Finland, Norway, and increasingly in Canada, where hunters value it for deer and small game work.

Appearance

The Drever stands 12 to 16 inches at the shoulder and weighs 32 to 40 pounds. The build is long, low, and rectangular, notably longer than tall but with more leg proportion than a Dachshund. The chest is deep and reaches close to the elbow, ribs are well sprung, and the topline is level. Legs are short but straight and well-boned, and feet are compact and cat-like.

The head is long and clean with a moderate stop and a straight strong muzzle. Ears are set high, of medium length, and hang flat against the head. Eyes are dark and mild. The coat is short, hard, and close-lying with a dense undercoat. Color is any color with distinct white markings on the face, neck, chest, feet, and tail tip; red, fawn, black, or tricolor patterning is typical.

Temperament

The Drever is friendly, gentle, and calm indoors. It bonds well with family, tolerates strangers, and gets along with other dogs, especially those it hunts with. It's less vocal at home than many scenthounds and settles quietly when properly exercised.

The working drive is strong but measured. Drevers hunt at a walking pace or slow trot rather than a full run, bay steadily on scent, and drive game toward hunters without pressing it into flight. Recall in the presence of scent is unreliable, and the breed follows a trail with dedication.

Living with one

Drevers suit rural or semi-rural homes with secure fencing and daily outdoor exercise. Apartments are workable if the owner commits to long daily walks and mental work. A fenced yard is helpful because the breed follows its nose over low barriers.

Weather tolerance is broad. The double coat handles cold and wet weather well, and the breed enjoys Swedish winters. In hot weather it needs shade, water, and exercise scheduled for cooler hours, though the compact size and short coat let it manage heat better than most double-coated scenthounds.

Exercise needs are moderate to high. An adult wants 60 to 90 minutes of daily activity, ideally including scent-driven walks, off-lead running in fenced areas, and mental work. The breed excels at tracking and hunting sports. Under-exercised individuals become vocal and destructive.

Alone-time tolerance is fair. Drevers are companion-oriented but less needy than some hounds. A well-adjusted adult can manage six to eight hours if properly exercised. Chronic isolation produces baying and destruction.

Noise level is moderate at home and high on scent. The breed uses its voice freely when tracking or driving game and bays at unusual sounds around the house. Well-exercised adults settle quietly.

Training & exercise

Drevers are more biddable than many scenthounds but still fundamentally hunting dogs. Basic obedience is achievable with reward-based methods, and the breed responds well to gentle handling. Off-lead reliability on scent is limited, and most owners rely on long lines and secure fencing.

Socialization from puppyhood is important. Early exposure to people, other dogs, livestock, and household environments builds the confident adult the breed can be. Puppy classes and controlled meetings before four months of age matter.

Common training mistakes are heavy corrections and expecting biddability comparable to a retriever. Compulsion shuts scenthounds down. Reward-based methods with patience and consistent structure produce a Drever that responds reliably to household cues even when scent is not present.

In sport the breed competes in tracking, blood tracking for wounded game, and hunting trials. In the field it works deer, hare, fox, and wild boar, driving game toward standing hunters. It's rarely seen at conformation shows outside Scandinavia.

Grooming & care

The Drever coat is easy to maintain. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry or bristle brush removes loose hair and keeps the coat glossy. Shedding is moderate year-round with heavier seasonal drops.

Bathing every two to three months, or after muddy hunts, is enough. Ears need weekly checks because the drop leather traps moisture and debris. Nails need trimming every three to four weeks unless worn on rough ground. Dental care with regular brushing supports lifelong tooth health.

Health & lifespan

Drevers typically live 12 to 14 years. The breed is generally healthy, and the large Swedish working population supports careful breed management.

The most watched concerns are intervertebral disc disease (from the long back), hip dysplasia at low rates, and ear infections from the drop leather. Owners should minimize jumping from heights and steep stairs to protect the back.

Other reported problems include patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, and eye conditions at low frequency. Responsible Swedish breeders test hips, patellas, and eyes.

Weight management matters because the long back is stressed by extra weight. Regular hands-on body condition checks and consistent portioning keep the dog lean. Older Drevers benefit from joint supplements, ramps for furniture, and shorter more frequent outings.

With kids & pets

Drevers are excellent with children. They're patient, gentle, playful, and tolerant of normal kid handling. The compact size suits family life better than larger hounds. Older kids who enjoy outdoor time find the breed a rewarding companion.

First-time owner note

A workable first breed for active households willing to accept scenthound realities. Rare outside Scandinavia and Canada, and hard to source in most of the world. Better matched with hunters or active families than with hands-off households.

Fun facts

• The Drever is Sweden's most popular hunting dog, registered more often than any other Swedish hunting breed.
• The breed name was chosen in a public naming competition run by the Swedish Kennel Club in 1947.
• The word 'drever' comes from the Swedish verb meaning to drive game.
• Drevers hunt at a walking pace slow enough that deer don't panic and can be driven toward standing hunters.

Famous & in culture

• The breed has no widely famous individual dogs, reflecting its hunter-owned working status.
• Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf has been photographed hunting with Drevers at royal reserves.