Drever

31-35 lbs

12-14"

Sweden

Swedish Dachsbracke

The Drever is a typical hound, he likes to dig and hunt. In general, he is stubborn and tenacious. However, he is also loving, gentle and easygoing. To many, that makes him the perfect companion. The Drever needs lots of activity to keep him happy and fit, although if allowed to, he will become a couch potato. He does need activities that keep him thinking and provide plenty of fun play time. Many compare the Drever to the Dachshund in both looks and personality. While not as popular as the Dachshund, the Drever has many endearing qualities that make him an excellent family companion.

Purpose
scent hound


Date of Origin
1900s


Ancestry
hound

Drever Health

Average Size

Height: 13-15 inches Weight: 31-35 lbs

Height: 12-14 inches Weight: 31-35 lbs

Major Concerns

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Minor Concerns

Otitis Externa
Demodectic Mange

Occasional Tests

Skin Scraping
X-Rays
Physical Examination
Ear Examination

Drever Breed History

The Drever is a short-legged, long backed hound used to drive game towards the gun, mainly deer. He was developed in the early 1900s from the Westpalian Dachsbracke and local hounds. The Drever has become more popular than the Westpalian Dachsbracke, causing the Westpalian Dachsbracke to become a very rare breed within Sweden and his homeland of Germany. He was bred specifically to be able to adjust to different terrains and game. The Drever is short enough to be able to move through thick undergrowth with ease and flush out game. He can also go into tight spaces and retrieve game. The Drever is rarely seen outside of his native Sweden. However, he is a very popular dog in Sweden as a beloved companion and hunting dog. In 1947, the Drever was officially named. He was accepted into the Swedish Kennelklubben in 1949. Since becoming recognized by the Swedish Kennelklubben, the Drever has become one of the most popular breeds in Sweden. The Drever was officially recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) in 1956 as a member of the Hound Group. He was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1996 as a member of the Scenthound Group. While not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), he is being promoted within the United States as a rare breed companion and is likened to the popular Dachshund. The Kennel Club in the UK, the Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club also do not recognize the Drever as a breed.

Drever Breed Appearance

The Drever is an elongated dog with short legs and a long back. His legs are straight, never bent. His head is large and long. He has clear, dark and alert eyes. His expression should be quizzical and somewhat bored. The Drever has a thick coat that is flat and close fitting to the body. His coat is harsh and straight. It is short and should never be long. He does have slightly longer hair on his neck, back of thighs and back, however it should never appear long. The underside of his tail should be bushy but there should never be any fringe or feathering. He can be found in several coat colors including tri-color, black and white, red and white, fawn and white and solid of any of these colors except white. He almost always has white markings on his face, chest, neck and feet. Symmetrical markings, especially on his face, are preferred.

Drever Breed Maintenance

The Drever has a harsh coat that is dense and generally easy to groom. His coat does not mat or tangle easily, however it will shed seasonally. He should be brushed once a week using a stiff bristle brush. Weekly brushing removes any dead or loose hairs and keeps the coat clean. When he is not shedding excessively he can simply have a rub down with a damp cloth after being brushed. Baths are required only when he gets into smelly situations and a mild shampoo should be used. Generally he will need a bath when he is shedding excessively to help loosen the undercoat and quickly strip the loose hair. His nails should be trimmed when necessary, generally every 2-3 weeks. Trimming should be done around the ears and eyes to keep hairs from aggravating his ears and eyes. Check his ears once a week for dirt and clean them as needed. A dental routine should be established to ensure he has healthy teeth and gums.

Drever Temperament

The Drever is calm and friendly with an easygoing temperament. He is not immediately accepting of strangers and will sound the alarm when strangers approach. The Drever is an exceptional hunter and tracker. He is enthusiastic about his work and will hunt for hours. When the Drever is away from his home and not hunting, he needs to remain leashed since he has such a strong tracking instinct. Because of his stubborn hound personality, he must have rules in the home that are consistently reinforced. He will try to get away with not following the rules and he does need continual training. The Drever is great with children and loves playing games with them in the yard. A sturdy fenced yard is required to keep him safe. The Drever is a digger and can become mischievous when he is left alone for too long. Expect to have your yard excavated if you leave him alone in the yard for the day. He does require plenty of physical activity to keep him happy and healthy.

Written by Darlene Stott

Published: 10/04/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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