Drever

The Drever is a short-legged scenthound from Sweden. Hunters bred it to move deer and hare towards a waiting gun at a steady, walking pace rather than a run. Its low build keeps its nose close to the ground scent, and its deep, musical voice lets the hunter follow the chase from a distance. Away from fieldwork, the dog is even-tempered, sociable and settles well into ordinary family life.

A grown Drever stands low to the ground on a sturdy, rectangular frame built for stamina rather than speed. The breed gets on well with people of every age and rarely shows aggression. Its tracking instinct stays strong throughout life, so a scent on the ground can pull its attention away within seconds.

The Drever is a popular hunting companion in Sweden and its Nordic neighbours, but it remains a rare sight in Ireland, known mostly among enthusiasts of continental hunting breeds. Owners who can offer daily exercise and regular scent work tend to get the best from the breed.

Who the Drever suits

The Drever suits active owners who can offer long daily walks and a securely fenced garden. It thrives in households that hunt or take part in tracking trials, and it gets along well with children and other dogs. Its carrying voice and strong scent drive make it a poor match for apartment living with close neighbours, or for owners who cannot hold a determined nose in check on walks.

The Drever's roots lie in short-legged scenthounds brought into Sweden from continental Europe in the early 1900s. Hunters wanted a hound low enough to work deer and hare at a walking pace, moving the game steadily towards the gun rather than running it down. Crossing imported dachshund-type hounds with local scenthounds produced the foundation stock.

For several decades these dogs were classed together with other short-legged Swedish hounds under one broad label. As the type grew more distinct, Swedish breeders set about fixing its size, proportions and working style into a breed recognisable in its own right.

A public naming competition held in Sweden in 1947 settled on the name Drever. The word comes from the Swedish term for driving game, a fair description of the breed's central task in the field. Formal recognition in Sweden followed soon after.

The Drever is still widely used for hunting in Sweden, with smaller numbers found across the rest of the Nordic region and in North America. It has never caught on as a companion breed outside hunting circles, and that has kept its working character largely intact. The breed has yet to establish any real presence in Ireland.

The Drever has a long, low body set on short, strong legs. The build is rectangular rather than compact, built for reach and stamina at a steady working pace. The head is fairly long with a clear stop, and the ears sit moderately high, of medium length, hanging flat against the cheeks. The tail is fairly long and may be carried level or slightly raised while the dog is working. Where the breed is shown in Ireland, judges apply the same FCI-based standard used by the Irish Kennel Club for continental scenthounds.

Coat and colours

The coat lies short and dense against the body, with slightly longer hair on the neck, the backs of the thighs and the underside of the tail. The standard allows any colour, but white markings must always be present and clearly visible, so a hunter can spot the dog in cover. Common patterns include tricolour, and red or fawn with white. White usually shows on the muzzle, neck, chest, feet and tail tip. The short coat asks for very little upkeep to stay neat.

The Drever is known for a cheerful, even temper. It is affectionate with family members and usually welcoming towards strangers, showing little tendency towards shyness or aggression. Around children it is patient and tolerant, and it generally accepts other dogs without any bother, a trait rooted in its history of working in packs.

The breed is alert and quick to announce visitors or unusual sounds, so it makes a capable watchdog without being aggressive. Its hunting heritage shows in a powerful scent drive: a fresh trail can hold its full attention, and it may follow a scent with single-minded focus. The Drever also has a loud, carrying voice, used readily on a trail and now and then indoors.

Cats and small pets can trigger the chase instinct, so early introductions and supervision help matters. Given enough activity and company, the Drever settles into a calm, affectionate companion around the house.

Grooming

• Brush the short coat once a week to clear loose hair and keep it clean
• Bathe only when the dog is dirty, as frequent washing is not needed
• Check the hanging ears weekly and clean them to cut the risk of infection
• Trim nails every few weeks and check the paws after time out in the fields
• Brush the teeth several times a week to keep the gums and teeth healthy

Exercise

• Provide at least an hour of activity a day, split between walks and play
• Keep the dog on a lead or inside a fenced area, as a scent can pull it away in seconds
• Offer scent games, tracking work or hunting activity to put its nose to use
• Add mental tasks such as search games to stop boredom setting in

Environment

The Drever settles into most homes with a garden, provided it gets daily exercise. A secure fence matters, since the breed will follow a trail for a good distance if given the chance. Its loud voice carries well, so it suits a house with some space between neighbours better than a tightly packed apartment block. The short coat offers limited protection against Ireland's damp, changeable weather, so shelter and a towel by the door matter after wet walks.

The Drever does well on a complete, balanced dog food suited to its size, age and activity level. Working and hunting dogs need more calories during busy seasons, while a less active pet needs less to keep the weight off. The breed's long back and short legs mean excess weight adds real strain to the spine and joints, so portion control matters. Fresh water should be available at all times.

Treats and supplements

Use treats sparingly and count them towards the daily calorie total, since this breed puts on weight easily. Most Drevers on a complete diet need no extra supplements. A vet may suggest joint support for older dogs given the long-backed build, but any supplement should only go in on professional advice.

The Drever is a generally healthy, hardy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Its working background and modest popularity have helped keep the gene pool sound. The main concerns tie back to its body shape and ears rather than to any widespread inherited disease. Regular check-ups with the vet and sensible weight management support a long, active life.

Preventive care

• Keep up with routine vaccinations and parasite control
• Maintain a healthy weight to protect the back and joints
• Clean and check the ears weekly
• Brush the teeth regularly and book in for dental checks
• Book a yearly check-up with the vet, with more frequent visits for older dogs

The Drever is intelligent and keen to please, but its scenthound independence means it can tune out commands the moment it catches an interesting trail. Training works best when it starts early and stays consistent. Short, varied sessions hold the dog's interest far better than long, repetitive drills. A reliable recall is the hardest lesson and the most important one, since the breed will follow a scent for a good distance, so most off-lead work belongs in secure areas until recall is solid.

Basics

1. Start socialisation in puppyhood with people, dogs and everyday sights and sounds
2. Teach name response and attention before moving on to harder commands
3. Build sit, down and stay with food rewards and short repetitions
4. Work on recall daily, starting in a fenced area and using high-value treats
5. Introduce a release word and lead manners to manage pulling towards scents
6. Channel the nose into tracking or scent games as a structured outlet

Drevers generally reach sexual maturity between six and twelve months, though responsible breeders wait until a bitch is physically and mentally mature, usually around two years old, before breeding from her. Health screening before mating helps cut the risk of passing on problems, with particular attention to back and joint soundness given the breed's long build.

Gestation lasts about 63 days from conception. Litters typically run to four or six puppies, and most births go without complication, though a vet should be on call regardless. The mother raises the puppies, with weaning usually complete by four to seven weeks. Early handling and gentle exposure to household life help the puppies grow into the steady, friendly temperament the breed is known for. Puppies usually move to new homes from about eight weeks old.

How to register a Drever in Ireland

Irish law has required every dog to be chipped and registered since the 2015 Regulations came in, and it expects the details behind the chip to stay current, not gather dust. A free United Pet Club profile does that for your Drever, for life. Registering your dog is a few minutes' work and costs nothing at all.

Lodge your Drever's fifteen digit number with United Pet Club and the chip finally earns its keep: free registration for life, every brand accepted, and a record the ISPCA or any warden can turn into a phone call. Microchip registration takes minutes, and the free account covers the profile while you're at it.