Discover Everything About Drever
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Drever overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Drever is considered a very robust Swedish hunting dog, for which no strict mandatory health tests are currently required. However, due to its elongated body structure, there is an increased risk of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which is why you should pay close attention to the dog's back. In addition, breeding stock should ideally be screened for hip dysplasia (HD) and eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Height
30–38 cm
Weight
13–16 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: short, dense, smooth
- Origin: Sweden
Typical coat colors
- Variety of colors including tri-color
- red
- black/white
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Drever, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Drever right for you?
The Drever is a persistent, extremely scent-driven short-legged hound—bred in Sweden to track game for hours, baying on the trail and working completely independently for the hunter. Its stubborn work ethic is legendary; it is not a training gap, but pure genetics.
Perfect for you if:
- Ideally, you are a hunter or looking for a true specialist for intensive blood tracking and hours of mantrailing.
- You have access to vast nature and an absolutely escape-proof garden where his nose won't lead him into trouble.
- You have a great deal of patience and a sense of humor for when your dog tunes you out outdoors to make his own decisions.
- You enjoy being outside in any weather and aren't discouraged by the fact that walks often have to take place on a long tracking leash.
Less ideal if:
- You expect a dog that remains recallable when on a fresh scent—he was specifically bred to tune everything else out in those moments.
- You live in an apartment with thin walls and don't want to risk complaints due to his loud, piercing hunting voice.
- You are looking for a nimble companion for agility, athletic bike rides, or relaxed strolls through the city.
- You have to leave him alone for long periods daily, which leads to frustration and loud protest in this passionate worker.
The real vibes check
A Drever at home is calm and cuddly, but as soon as his nose touches the ground outside, a switch flips in his head. The relaxed companion turns into a highly specialized hunter with tunnel vision, literally forgetting you are at the other end of the leash. If you admire this uncompromising hunting passion and can channel it constructively, you will get a fascinating, loyal nature-loving companion.
Breed Profile
The Drever, also known as the Swedish Dachsbracke, is a small, powerful dog with a short coat, long body and short legs. His robust appearance, combined with a lively and energetic expression, gives an indication of his working history and the skills he possesses as a hunting dog. The Drever belongs to FCI Group 6, which includes hounds, bloodhounds and related breeds.
| Height | 30 - 36 cm (Female), 32 - 38 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 13 - 15 kg (Female), 14 - 16 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Character | loyal, energetic, balanced |
| Coat | short, dense, smooth |
| Coat Color | Variety of colors including tri-color, red and black/white |
| Price | 1200 - 2500 € |
History
The history of the Drever, also known as the Swedish Dachsbracke, began in Sweden in the early 20th century. Around 1910, the first Westphalian Dachsbracken were imported from Germany to Sweden. These short-legged scent hounds proved to be exceptionally well-suited to the specific hunting conditions in Sweden. Swedish hunters required a persistent, vocal hound capable of tracking game such as roe deer, foxes, and hares through rugged terrain and slowly driving them toward the hunter. Through selective breeding, the imported dogs were adapted to the harsh climate and demanding topography of Scandinavia. Over the decades, the Swedish variant developed into a slightly stronger and more robust dog than its German ancestor. As the population grew steadily and established a distinct phenotype, the Swedish line was recognized as an independent breed in 1947. At this time, it received the official name Drever, derived from the Swedish term drevjakt, meaning drive hunting. In 1953, the breed received official recognition from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, where the Drever is classified within the scent hound group. To this day, it remains a highly valued and widely used hunting dog in its homeland.
The Drever was bred as a hunting dog to track and pursue roe deer and small game such as hares in Swedish terrain.
Sweden
1910
Character & Temperament
As a former working dog, the Drever has many characteristics that make him a loyal and reliable partner. He is known for his loyalty and strong bond with his family. He loves being around his people and is always ready to take part in activities or just relax in the comfort of his own home. His balanced temperament makes him a pleasant companion who can adapt well to various life situations. Given his working history, the Drever is an energetic and agile dog. His hunting instinct is strong and he likes to show off his skills as a tracking dog. He loves following tracks and exploring his surroundings. This trait can cause him to sometimes be distracted by interesting smells and focus his attention on them. Vigilant and is always on guard for everything that happens around him. He doesn't tend to be aggressive or excessively barking, but he can certainly be a good watchdog and warn his family of potential dangers. Despite his energy and hard work, the Drever can also stay alone as long as he receives sufficient physical and mental activity. He is quite an adaptable dog who can enjoy both city life and country life. Despite its small size, the Drever is not a lap dog. He is an active and intelligent dog who loves tasks and challenges. This, combined with his strong bond with his family, makes him a great companion for active people looking for a dog that can take part in their activities but is also content to relax at home once he has had enough exercise. The Drever's hunting instincts are strong, and it can exhibit strong prey-catching behavior. It's important that you take this into consideration if you have a Drever, especially if you also have other small pets. Although he usually gets along well with other dogs, his hunting instinct can cause him to go after smaller animals.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Although the Drever is very popular in Sweden, it is relatively unknown outside of its home country. In fact, the Drever is the nationally recognized dog breed of Sweden!
What Awaits You
The Drever is more robust and strong than elegant and nimble. He has a proud posture, well-developed muscles and an agile appearance. The Drever is affectionate, playful and sweet. He gets along well with most other breeds and is great in groups.
Housing & Care
The Drever is an adaptable dog that does well in both urban and rural environments. He is an active dog and needs enough exercise, but he also adapts well to apartment life as long as he gets regular walks and playtime. Drevers are generally child-friendly and have a patient nature that makes them get along well with younger children. They also tend to get along well with other dogs, but their strong prey drive can be a problem if you have other small pets.
| Family Friendly Lives for its family — the born family companion. | Ideal family dog |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation. | Manageable in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
Raising a Drever can be a rewarding task. They are intelligent and willing to learn, which makes training easier. However, they are also independent and can sometimes show strong will. It is important to start training early and be consistent. A Drever needs a balanced mix of physical and mental stimulation to be happy and balanced. They love activities that appeal to their hunting instincts, such as tracking or agility training. It is important to ensure that the dog is not "over-busy" and receives sufficient rest breaks. When training the Drever, it is important to promote frustration tolerance and impulse control. This breed can be impulsive at times, especially when excited or bored. Training that utilizes positive reinforcement and patience can help control and channel these behaviors.
Nutrition & Care
The Drever's diet should be balanced and healthy to meet his energy needs and maintain his ideal weight. A mixture of high-quality dry and wet food enriched with fruit and vegetables is ideal. It is important to monitor portion sizes and ensure your Drever is not overfed to avoid becoming overweight. Grooming the Drever's coat is relatively uncomplicated. He has a short, smooth coat with a thick undercoat. A weekly brushing should be enough to remove loose hair and keep the coat clean and healthy. Drevers shed moderately, especially during the coat change in spring and autumn. They cope well with the German climate, but may want to wear a coat in the cold winter months.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid
Health grade
The Drever is considered a very robust Swedish hunting dog, for which no strict mandatory health tests are currently required. However, due to its elongated body structure, there is an increased risk of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which is why you should pay close attention to the dog's back. In addition, breeding stock should ideally be screened for hip dysplasia (HD) and eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
To avoid unnecessary strain on the back and joints, you should strictly ensure a lean physique, joint-friendly exercise, and avoid frequent jumping.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the spines, hips, knees, and eyes of the parent animals checked to reduce the risks of painful bone and joint problems in the bloodline.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Drever
Hans-Dieter L., Jäger aus dem Sauerland (Rüde, seit 2021)
Als leidenschaftlicher Jäger habe ich mir vor einigen Jahren eine Schwedische Dachsbracke – einen Drever – direkt aus Skandinavien importiert. Was diese Hunde trotz ihrer geringen Größe an Ausdauer und Härte im Gelände leisten, ist schlichtweg phänomenal. Er sucht unermüdlich im dichten Unterholz, im Sumpf und im tiefen Schnee. Da er als Einzelhund jagt, arbeitet er extrem selbstständig, was ihn zu einem fantastischen Helfer bei der Hasen- und Rehwildjagd macht.
Die Kehrseite dieser enormen Jagdlust ist allerdings, dass man eine gehörige Portion Geduld mitbringen muss. Wenn er erst einmal auf einer Fährte ist, blendet er alles um sich herum aus. Da steht man als Hundeführer auch mal länger im Wald und wartet, bis der Herr sich bequemt, von seiner Suche zurückzukehren.
Im Haus ist er dagegen das komplette Gegenteil: absolut tiefenentspannt, treu und extrem anhänglich. Er zeigt keinerlei Aggressionen, bellt kaum und ist ein wunderbarer, ausgeglichener Partner, solange er im Revier seine Energie abbauen darf.
Jonas S., Jäger aus Schleswig-Holstein (Hündin, seit 2018)
In skandinavischen Jägerkreisen hört man über den Drever ja oft den Begriff 'Jaktidiot' – und ich muss sagen, da ist verdammt viel Wahres dran! Meine Hündin hat eine dermaßen ausgeprägte Jagdpassion, dass man sie ohne Leine im Wald eigentlich kaum laufen lassen kann. Wenn sie eine Spur in der Nase hat, schaltet ihr Gehirn auf Durchzug. Die Erziehung erfordert eiserne Konsequenz und eine sehr feste Hand, sonst tanzt einem dieser kleine, sture Kopf ganz schnell auf der Nase herum.
Man muss sich einfach bewusst sein, dass diese Hunde für die selbstständige Arbeit gezüchtet wurden. Sie treffen eigene Entscheidungen und fragen nicht erst nach Erlaubnis, wenn es nach Wild riecht. Wer einen leichtführigen Hund sucht, der beim ersten Pfiff pariert, ist hier definitiv an der falschen Adresse.
Trotz dieser Herausforderung im Gelände liebe ich ihren Charakter. Sie ist unglaublich wesensfest, nervenstark und im Alltag absolut unkompliziert. Sie ist im Haus ein richtiger Kuschelhund, der die Nähe zu seiner Familie sucht.
Kerstin M., Halterin aus Oberbayern (Rüde, seit 2022)
Wir haben unseren Drever-Rüden nun seit vier Jahren. Da diese Rasse in Deutschland extrem selten ist und von verantwortungsvollen Züchtern fast ausschließlich an Jäger abgegeben wird, war es gar nicht so leicht, an einen Welpen heranzukommen. Wir nutzen ihn zwar nicht für die klassische Jagd, lasten ihn aber täglich intensiv mit anspruchsvoller Fährtenarbeit und langen Touren aus. Ohne diese geistige und körperliche Beschäftigung würde er vermutlich die Wände hochgehen.
Sein Jagdtrieb ist allgegenwärtig. Kleinere Haustiere oder Nachbarskatzen darf man mit ihm keine Sekunde aus den Augen lassen, da bricht sofort das Beutefangverhalten durch. Man merkt einfach in jeder Faser, dass er ein echter Arbeitshund ist, der eine klare Aufgabe braucht.
Wenn man ihm jedoch die nötige Auslastung bietet, bekommt man einen unglaublich loyalen und anpassungsfähigen Begleiter. Er ruht in sich selbst, ist extrem freundlich zu Menschen sowie anderen Hunden und schätzt die gemütlichen Stunden zu Hause genauso sehr wie das Abenteuer im Wald.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Drever
Is a Drever the right dog for me?
The Drever is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Drever live?
The average life expectancy of a Drever is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Drever need?
Drever grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Drever good for families with children?
The Drever can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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