Let's talk Drevers
One of Sweden’s most popular dogs, the Drever is a short-legged scent hound that has traditionally been used out in the field. Robust and strong, with bags of stamina, they were certainly made for the country’s tough terrain. Today, while it is still quite unusual for them to be kept just as pets in their native homeland, they nonetheless make a loyal and docile companion. They’re also surprisingly playful, too, and good with children when trained. What the Drever lacks in size or stature, they more than make up for in personality.Official name: Drever
Other names: Swedish Dachsbracke
Origins: Sweden
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Warm weather? |  |
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Suited to apartment living? |  |
| Energy level (high, low, medium) *: | Medium to high | Family pet? * |
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| Compatibility with other pets: | |
Can stay alone? * | |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed’s specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet as well as covering their basic welfare, social and behavioural needs.
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
| Baby age: | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age: | 2 to 12 months |
| Adult age: | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature age: | 7 to 10 years |
| Senior age: | From 10 years |
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Origins of the breed
For many enthusiasts, the Labrador Retriever remains one of the most popular all-round dogs worldwide. It’s thought that Labrador Retrievers originated from the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, where fishermen used dogs of this appearance to retrieve fish. The breed as we know it today, however, was established by the British in the early 1800’s.
The Labrador Retriever Club was founded in 1916 and the first standard followed soon after, predominantly tailored to working Labrador Retrievers who found early fame, having been originally introduced to the U.K. in the late 1800’s by Col Peter Hawker and the Earl of Malmesbury.
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2 facts about Drevers
1. What’s in a name?
When it came to choosing a name for this new breed, it was decided that a newspaper contest would be held. So, in 1947, scent-hound-loving Swedes got their thinking caps and put forward their ideas. In the end, the name Drever was chosen, from the word ‘drev’, which can mean various things but stems originally from the Swedish verb to ‘drive’.
2. Sounding the alarm
With an alert disposition, and being quite vocal barking-wise, the Drever also makes an excellent watchdog. They’ll be quick to sound the alarm if a stranger approaches or at the first sign of any trouble. This does mean the Drever can be a little bit barky at times, especially when they’re playing, but training can help with this.
History of the breed
To understand the history of the Drever, we need to go back to Sweden in the early 1900s. At that time, a breed called the Westphalian Dachsbracke began to be imported from Germany. These smallish scent hounds proved themselves early on as terrific trackers.
Within a few years, the Westphalian Dachsbracke had also been crossed with a local dog breed not unlike the Dachshund, and it all rolled out from there. Officially named in 1947, the Drever, which was slightly larger than the Westphalian Dachsbracke, was recognised as a Swedish breed in 1953.
Today, apart from in their native Sweden, the Drever is mainly found in Norway and Finland, as well as in the U.S. and Canada. The Drever was recognised by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1956, by the United Kennel Club in 1996 and by the American Kennel Club (AKC), as part of its Foundation Stock Service, in 2015.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Drevers
1. Head
Long, low-set ears, dark-brown eyes and elongated nose.
2. Body
Muscular back with strong, short loins and long tail.
3. Coat
Short, dense coat comes in various colours.
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Drever
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Caring for your Drever
Grooming, training and exercise tips
With their short, thick coats, and relatively small size, the Drever is fairly low-maintenance in terms of grooming. A weekly brush and the occasional bath should more than suffice. The Drever can shed quite a bit, however, so you may need to up the ante then. They will also want their teeth brushed daily, nails clipped as required and ears checked regularly for any debris, wax or sign of infection. In terms of how much exercise they need, the Drever is an energetic dog breed that is used to a busy and active lifestyle. As such, they will require at least one to three hours every day. They make great companions for outdoor pursuits, such as walking or hiking, and as they are quite playful, they will enjoy games in the garden. Training-wise, though Drevers are intelligent and resourceful, they can sometimes have a slight stubborn streak. Taking your Drever to puppy training classes should do the trick, along with plenty of encouragement and positive reinforcement. This should also be supported by early socialisation.
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All about Drevers
Although common in their native Sweden, and also known in Norway and Finland, the Drever breed is not often found elsewhere. As such, they are pretty hard to come by outside their homeland. While it’s true that they are present in the U.S. and Canada, the Drever is generally recognised there as a rare breed.
In short, yes, the Drever is regarded as being excellent with children once they’ve had some training. Playful, gentle and affectionate to all around them, they are ideally suited to family life. As always, just be careful with any very little ones, and children should also be taught how to play gently and respectfully with a dog.
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/