The Drever is a short-legged scent hound from Sweden, used for hunting deer and other game. Descended from the German Westphalian Dachsbracke, this robust, low-built dog was refined in Swedish terrain to become one of the country's most beloved hunting dogs — so much so that no other hunting scent hound rivals its popularity in numbers among Swedish hunters.
Keen, even-tempered, and with a very strong hunting instinct, the Drever has earned the nickname "hunting machine." It's a dog that lives for the chase, but it's also a calm, harmonious family companion when the hunting gear is put away.
From German Bracke to Swedish Drever
The small-sized German hound, the Westphalian Dachsbracke, was imported to Sweden in 1910. The first dogs were registered in 1913, but little is known about the breed before 1930. It was from then on that it gained a reputation as a very good tracker of deer. Deer had been sparse until then, but as they grew stronger in numbers and spread further north, hunters got to hear about the advantages of the short-legged deer-tracking hound.
The Drever was crossbred with other hounds to adjust "to Swedish terrain and game." By the 1940s, there were two distinctive sizes of the Dachsbracke, and a newspaper contest was held in 1947 to choose the new name for the slightly larger variety. "Drever" was chosen, from the Swedish word drev, referring to a type of hunt where the dogs drive the game toward the hunter. The Drever was then recognized by the Swedish Kennel Club as a separate breed in 1947, and in 1953 it was recognized as a Swedish breed. The breed is recognized internationally by the FCI in Group 6, Scenthounds, Section 1.3, Small-sized Hounds.
A Long Body on Short Legs
The Drever's most noticeable characteristics are its long body and short legs, inherited from the Westphalian Dachsbracke, but as a working dog, these features are not exaggerated. Rather long in body and fairly short on legs, the appearance should be robust and strong rather than elegant and speedy, with a proud carriage, well-developed muscles, and an agile appearance. The head is rather large in proportion to the body, longish and tapering toward the nose.
The Drever stands 12.5 to 16 inches at the withers — about 15 centimeters shorter than a long-legged hunting hound with the same size body — and weighs 35 to 40 pounds. It has short fur in any color with white markings (but not all white, which has been linked to deafness), the typical drop (hanging) ears of a hound, and a long tail. The maximum height of a Drever is 38 cm (15 inches), roughly 2 cm shorter than the Drever's relative the Westphalian Dachsbracke. At the withers, males ideally measure 35 cm with an allowance of 32–38 cm; females ideally 33 cm with 30–36 cm allowed.
The Hunting Machine
The Drever is considered the first choice for roe and deer hunting, but it is also a very reliable hound for hunting both hare and fox. What makes hunting with a Drever so exciting is its fine, dense, long-sounding bark, which gives the hunter great guidance in the forest. The breed is suited for hunting in smaller areas and is much appreciated for hunting hare. Before the 1980s, the Drever was also used for fox hunting; when the fox population was reduced so dramatically by the disease mange, fox hunting decreased.
The short legs are no accident — roe deer are nervous quarry, and the hounds used to hunt them must move slowly, especially in areas where heavy snow can be expected in late autumn. This is given as the reason for breeding a dog with a medium-sized body but short legs. The breed has a lot of stamina, and has become a popular hunting hound for deer hunters in northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Keen, Even-Tempered, and Family-Friendly
The Drever is a keen and even-tempered hound — never aggressive, nervous, or shy. Today's Drever is a perfect family dog with a calm, harmonious temperament. The breed is considered mentally stable with a very strong hunting instinct. The breed is mainly kept by hunters and is rarely "just" a companion dog, yet its easygoing, gentle nature makes it a wonderful family member too.
Drevers are very loving, gentle, and generally easygoing, getting along well with other animals and people. They're determined, loyal, and playful. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for keeping an active hound satisfied.
Exercise and Activity
Not surprisingly given his background as a zealous hunter, this breed needs plenty of outdoor exercise — the Drever has stamina to spare. Drevers love to run and play and are great companions for any outdoor activity, from hiking and biking to long walks. They love to hang out with their people, content to be a couch potato as long as they have some stimulating daily activity. Happiest with a good balanced routine, any activity that stimulates their hunting abilities and scent work is greatly enjoyed by the Drever.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
Training a Drever
Because they are hunters, Drevers are not "off-leash" dogs — they will follow their nose! Diligent obedience training is a must since they love to hunt. Drevers are very loving, gentle, and generally easygoing, but they are still a hound, which can be stubborn and tenacious, requiring dedicated training.
Positive, patient methods work best with this sensitive and willing scent hound. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Drever
The Drever's short, coarse hair is easily maintained — truly a "wash-and-wear" breed. It does shed some, so regular brushing keeps the coat healthy and reduces loose hair around the home.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 1–2 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning (important for hanging ears), and tooth brushing. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a short-coated hound.
Feeding a Drever
A Drever should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level. As an active hunting hound, it needs sound nutrition to support stamina and regular exercise.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1/2–1 cup | Use a good-quality puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1–1.25 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Drever is an extremely healthy and sound breed, with an average life expectancy of 15 years. There are no real health issues that plague the Drever — they are very sturdy, agile dogs. As with any breed, responsible breeders screen their stock, and keeping a healthy weight supports joint and overall health.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Eye and ear health checks | Discuss with your vet | Part of the annual vet review |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Drever makes a wonderful family dog. With its calm, harmonious temperament and gentle, easygoing nature, it gets along well with children, other animals, and people. It's a great companion for any outdoor activity, yet content to relax at home after a good run.
Some Drevers like to dig, and as a hunter it's not an "off-leash" dog — a secure yard and leash manners are important. If you're weighing whether a Drever fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Drever means committing to a dedicated scent hound with a very strong hunting instinct. They need plenty of daily exercise, can be stubborn and tenacious, and should never be trusted off-leash in open country — they will follow their nose. Some like to dig. As a breed mainly kept by hunters, the Drever is rare outside Scandinavia, so finding one can take patience.
Yet for the right owner, the Drever is incomparable — a healthy, loyal, and gentle hunting partner that's equally at home on the family couch.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Calm, gentle, and easygoing temperament
- Excellent hunter of deer, hare, and fox
- Extremely healthy and sturdy breed
- Great with children and other pets
- Low-maintenance wash-and-wear coat
- Wonderful family companion
Disadvantages
- Very strong hunting instinct
- Never trustworthy off-leash
- Needs plenty of outdoor exercise
- Stubborn and tenacious (hound)
- Some like to dig
- Rare outside Scandinavia
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Drevers get? The Drever stands 12.5–16 inches and weighs 35–40 pounds.
How long do Drevers live? Typically 12 to 15 years.
Are Drevers good family dogs? Yes — calm, gentle, and great with kids and other pets.
Are Drevers good hunters? Excellent — considered the first choice for roe and deer hunting.
Are Drevers easy to train? They're intelligent but stubborn hounds — dedicated, patient training needed.
Are Drevers good for first-time owners? Their hunting drive suits experienced, active owners.
Are Drevers rare? Yes, rare outside Scandinavia.
Why does the Drever bark? Its fine, long-sounding bark guides the hunter through the forest.
Are Drevers good off-leash? No — they will follow their nose.
What were Drevers bred to hunt? Roe deer, hare, fox, and red deer.
Are Drevers good apartment dogs? They need plenty of exercise — a home with outdoor space is best.
What health problems do Drevers have? Few — it's an extremely healthy, sound breed.