Drever

Temperament:

Perceptive, Balanced, Focused
Size: Small
Height: 32-36 cm
Weight: 13-16 kg
Lifespan: 11-13 years
Coat: Shorthair
Colors: Black and white, fawn and white
FCI Group: Scent hounds and related breeds

The small, agile Swede is often used as a hunting dog. The breed was only recognized in 1953 and has made hunters' hearts beat faster ever since.

Drever
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Characteristics

The Drever, also known as the Swedish Dachsbracke, is a running and welding dog. It was first bred in Sweden and is originally descended from the Westphalian Dachsbracke. It is the smallest of the Swedish hunting dogs.

The small running dog is between 32 and 36 centimeters tall. It weighs around 13 kilograms. Its physique is probably the dog's most striking feature. Its body is elongated. The limbs are set low. Because of its short legs, the Drever is often slower than other running dogs.

The coat lies close to the body. There are different coat colors with white markings. The Drever has medium-length floppy ears that are rounded at the tip.

The Drever is an ideal companion for hunters. It is not usually kept as a pure family dog. It has a fine nose, which is very useful for hunting. It is often used to hunt deer, hares, rabbits and foxes. The small Drever is a balanced and attentive dog. He is never aggressive or nervous.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

The Drever is a hunting dog and therefore has special dietary requirements. As it is often on the move much more than a pure family dog, it also needs a higher-calorie diet.

Therefore, when choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role here. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.

If your dog also hunts, it is important that he gets the nutrients that an active dog needs during this active time.

Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.

Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.

Health & Care

The Drever is one of the low-maintenance dogs. Its short, hard coat in particular requires very little grooming. It should be brushed from time to time. It can also be washed after long hunts. However, the motto here is: less is more.

Make sure that the floppy ears are cleaned regularly. Otherwise inflammation may occur in the ear. The paws should also be groomed from time to time.

Suitable accessories

When purchasing a Drever, you should of course also think about the necessary accessories. Basic equipment such as a lead, collar or harness, water and food bowl and basket or cushion is required.

If the Drever is used for hunting, some hunting-specific items must also be purchased. For example, scent and fur dummies are suitable for hunting training. Tracking tape and dog vests can be purchased for the actual hunt.

Other accessories that your dog needs are: Tick tweezers, claw clippers, transport box for transportation in the car.

Drever history

Origin & History

The Drever originally comes from Sweden. There it was bred by hunters from the Westphalian Dachsbracke. The aim of the breed was to create a particularly good stalking dog. It should be able to hunt successfully under the climatic conditions of Sweden.

The Westphalian Dachsbracke was introduced to Sweden in 1910. Before 1930, however, the breed was hardly known in Sweden. Only then did it gain popularity. The short-legged hunting dog became increasingly popular with Swedish hunters due to its excellent sense of smell. It soon became one of the most suitable dogs for hunting roe deer and red deer.

In 1947, the larger variation was christened Drever. In 1953, it was finally recognized by the FCI as a separate Swedish breed.