Drever
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Find Drever BreedersGet to Know Drevers
- Sweden's Favorite: The Drever is one of the most popular hunting breeds in Sweden, far more common there than internationally.
- Deer Driver: The breed specializes in 'driving' deer—slowly pursuing them at a pace that pushes the game toward waiting hunters.
- Short but Mighty: Their short legs allow them to work through dense undergrowth that would slow taller hounds.
- Vocal Tracker: Like all scenthounds, Drevers are vocal when tracking, allowing hunters to follow their progress through the forest.
Breed History
The Drever is a short-legged scenthound from Sweden, developed in the early 20th century from the Westphalian Dachsbracke imported from Germany. Swedish hunters refined the breed for tracking deer, fox, and hare in Swedish terrain. The name 'Drever' comes from the Swedish word 'drev' meaning to hunt or drive game. The breed became the most popular hunting dog in Sweden and was recognized by the Swedish Kennel Club in 1947. It remains rare outside Scandinavia.
Personality and Behaviour
- Determined Tracker: Drevers are focused, determined scenthounds that pursue their quarry with impressive tenacity.
- Friendly & Even-Tempered: Off the trail, they are friendly, good-natured dogs that get along well with families and other dogs.
- Alert & Watchful: They are naturally alert and make good watchdogs, barking to announce visitors.
- Independent on the Trail: When following a scent, they operate independently. Indoor obedience training requires patience and positive methods.
Care
- Exercise: About 45 to 60 minutes of daily exercise. Long, scent-rich walks, hiking, and tracking activities are ideal. They need to use their nose.
- Grooming: Their short, dense coat needs only weekly brushing. They are a low-maintenance breed in the grooming department.
- Diet: Feed a high-quality food for active medium-sized breeds. Monitor weight—they can gain if under-exercised.
- Health: Generally a robust, healthy breed. Watch for ear infections (floppy ears), obesity, and occasional back issues. Regular vet checkups maintain good health.
Drever Summary
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Drever Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Drever is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Drever
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Drever puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Drever, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Drever is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.







