Drever

Drever has a long body and short legs, the typical drop ears of a hound, and a long tail. They are elegant and speedy, affectionate, playful.

Daily Care

Grooming Tips

A Drever’s short, coarse hair is easily maintained. Though they do shed some, this dog is truly a “wash-n-wear” breed. The occasional bath will keep them clean and looking their best. If necessary, nails can be trimmed with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking.
Their ears should be checked to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth can be brushed.

Exercise Tips

As a hunting breed, the Drever has fairly high needs for exercise. Despite their short stature, Drever dogs have excellent stamina and they love having a job to do. This breed requires a long daily walk and will also appreciate having a fenced yard in which to play.

Feeding Tips

As a small to medium-breed dog, the Drever should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for dogs of its size. This is a hunting breed, so he may respond well to an active or working breed formula. You still need to be careful about overfeeding, however, to prevent obesity.

Health Tips

Some dogs may be faced with health challenges in their lives, but the majority of Drevers are healthy, sound dogs. Working with a responsible breeder, prospective owners can gain the education they need to learn about specific health concerns within the breed.

Trainability

The Drever is a highly skilled hunting breed, known for its aptitude in tracking hares and roe deer. It has also been used to track fox and larger red deer.
This dog is a talented scenthound and has a great deal of stamina – it also has a strong work ethic. This breed is almost exclusively kept as a working dog, though it may adapt to family life in some cases as long as its need for exercise is met.
These dogs are intelligent and respond well to training, though they do require a firm hand in leadership. This breed can do well as a watchdog, though their short stature is not particularly threatening.

History

Small sized German hounds were imported to Sweden in 1910. These dogs gained a reputation as very good deer trackers. In 1947, the larger variety of these dogs was given the name Drever, and it was soon recognized as a Swedish breed. They are considered the first choice breed for deer tracks but are also used for hunting hare and fox. The Drever was recognized by the United Kennel Club January 1, 1996.