Drever Dog Breed

The Drever is a member of the Hound group in most clubs (though it is still only part of the Foundation Stock Service in the American Kennel Club). This scenthound is one of the most popular breeds in its native country of Sweden; as such, a Drever will make an excellent companion for hunters of deer, foxes, and other larger game--though the breed will make a friendly, energetic pet for active families as well.

A few Drever dog facts: they're medium-sized, averaging 14 inches at the shoulders in height and 40 pounds in weight; they have short, thick, harsh coats that shed moderately; and as hunting dogs they're very active, and will need a good bit of daily exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning these scenthounds:

The word "drev" is Swedish for "drive" or "hunt"--and these dogs are aptly named: like Beagles, they scent game and drive them in packs toward hunters. Even so, a Drever is contrary to pack mentality, and often enjoys being the only pet in a household.

This breed has sort of a "Jekyll and Hyde" temperament. The dog will be easygoing, friendly, and playful around the house--but get a Drever in the woods and it becomes laser-focused and task-oriented, especially when it picks up a scent. Whether indoors or out, these dogs can have minds of their own, and will need firm, consistent training methods, especially regarding barking. Drevers are quite vocal, and will need to be taught the "Quiet!" command starting at a young age.

And as hunting dogs, Drevers are very energetic. Their short legs mean they're not the most agile breed, but their boldness and enthusiasm make up for any lack of physical skill, Owners who don't use Drevers for hunting will need to provide their dogs with some physical activity on a daily basis.

The medium-sized Drever dog is pretty consistent in its physical makeup. Individual features like head size and leg length may vary a bit from dog to dog, but don't constitute specific sub-types.

Coat length and texture is uniform as well: short (but longer than a lot of hound breeds), harsh, and thick.

Drever size can vary a little from the average of 14 inches and 40 pounds, but again, there are no "Mini" or "Giant" breed varieties. Even so, some dishonest breeders may advertise a "Miniature Drever" or "Giant Drever" for sale--but those dogs are either products of unethical breeding practices, or simply crossbreeds.

This breed is very healthy overall, but is known to inherit a condition called entropion, an eyelid disorder which causes blurred vision and pain. Owners are urged to ask their breeders if the dog (and/or its parents) have been screened for the condition--or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Other naturally occurring issues might include ear infections, hip dysplasia, and various back problems.

Life expectancy for this breed is 12-15 years.