DreverCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says the Westfälische Dachsbracke, a small German hound, was brought to Sweden in 1910, and the first dogs were registered in 1913. From the 1930s, the breed made a name for itself as an excellent roe deer tracker. As roe deer increased in number and spread north, hunters learned of the advantages of this short-legged hound.

In 1947, the slightly taller Swedish variety (by 2 cm at the withers) was given the name Drever through a competition run by a newspaper. The name comes from the Swedish word “drev”, a type of hunt in which the dogs drive the game towards the hunter. In 1953 the Drever was recognised as a Swedish breed.

How the breed developed

• 1910 – The Westfälische Dachsbracke is brought to Sweden.
• 1913 – The first dogs are registered.
• 1930s – The breed becomes known as a roe deer tracker.
• 1947 – The Swedish variety is named Drever, through a competition.
• 1953 – The Drever is recognised as a Swedish breed.
• 4 January 1955 – The FCI recognises the breed.
• 27 July 2021 – The current FCI standard is published.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

The AKC describes it as sturdy and strong rather than elegant and fast, with a proud bearing and well-developed muscles. The long body and short legs come from the Dachsbracke, but in a working dog they are not exaggerated.

General appearance

The head is fairly large and long, with a black nose. The eyes are dark brown, lively and expressive. The ears, set fairly low, hang close to the cheeks and have rounded tips. The long tail, thick at the base, usually hangs down and is never carried over the back.

All colours with white markings are allowed, as long as they are clearly defined. The white should be visible from all angles, preferably as a blaze on the head, a full collar, on the legs and on the tail tip. Predominant white, merle or liver brown disqualifies. Wikipedia says predominant white has been linked to deafness.

The standard describes it as a keen and steady hound, never aggressive, nervous or shy. The AKC gives it top marks for trainability and says it gets along well with most dogs and works excellently in a group.

In Sweden it is kept almost only as a hunting dog, rarely “just” as a pet. Like any hound, it follows scent stubbornly, so recall must be practised a lot.

Tips for effective training

• Practise recall. On a fresh trail it may forget about you.
• Work with its nose. The AKC says it loves any scent activity.
• Work on barking. The AKC gives it a high score for barking.
• Protect its back. Avoid jumps off furniture.

The AKC says it is a very playful dog that happily stays on the sofa with the family as long as it has a stimulating activity every day. It is a good companion for walks, slow-paced bike rides and hikes.

Tips for a balanced life

• Keep it on a lead outside the yard.
• The fence must have no gaps: it follows any scent.
• It adapts well to family life.

Coat and skin care

The AKC says it is easy to groom: an occasional bath keeps it clean. The nails are trimmed if they do not wear down naturally, and the ears are checked for wax and dirt.

Common health problems

The AKC says most Drevers are healthy dogs. No breed-specific diseases are known. Because of the long body, it is worth watching for:

Other care

• Check the ears after every outing.
• Check for ticks after hunting or walks in the woods.
• Brush its teeth regularly.

An active hound needs good-quality food suited to its age. The right weight protects its long back.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Give it its food in two meals a day.
• Training treats count towards the daily portion.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• A name chosen through a competition. The name Drever was chosen in 1947, in a newspaper competition.
• Short legs for a reason. Roe deer are timid, and the dogs that drive them must move slowly.
• 2 cm taller. It is about 2 cm taller than its German ancestor.
• A hunters' dog. In Sweden it is kept almost only for hunting.
• Popular in the north. It is used by hunters in northern Norway, Sweden and Finland.

What does “Drever” mean?

It comes from the Swedish word “drev”, a type of hunt in which the dogs drive the game towards the hunter.

How big does it get?

Males measure 32–38 cm and females 30–36 cm; they weigh about 16–18 kg.

Is it a family dog?

Yes, it is affectionate, playful and very good with children, but it needs daily activity.

How long does it live?

The AKC gives about 15 years.