Overview
The Drever is a Swedish scenthound built low to the ground, descended from the Westphalian Dachsbracke and used to drive deer and hare slowly towards waiting hunters. Short legs give it a deliberate pace that leaves game unhurried, and a loud voice tells the hunter where it is. In Sweden it is one of the most common hunting dogs; in Britain it is a rarity.
Temperament is even and friendly. Most are easy in a household, good with children and content with other dogs. The challenge is entirely about the nose.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day, split in two, is about right for a pet Drever. They are steady rather than fast and do not need a sprint; what they need is time to track.
Give the dog a route with cover and scent, then accept that a walk of two kilometres might take forty minutes. Hurrying a scenthound makes nobody happy.
On the walk
- Recall: Weak once the nose engages. A Drever on a line of deer scent is deaf and honest about it. Use a long line in open country.
- Voice: Expect baying when the dog hits a trail or spots something. Warn owners of other dogs and pick quieter routes near housing.
- Pulling: Low and steady rather than explosive. A harness with a front clip gives you more control when the dog leans into a scent.
- Other dogs: Pack-bred and generally relaxed. A good candidate for group walks with calm dogs.
Tips for professional walkers
- Walk with the wind in mind; a dog working into the breeze is busier and happier.
- Keep the long line short near roads. A scent can cross tarmac without warning.
- Carry a few high-value treats to interrupt the trail before the dog commits to it.
What to ask the owner
- Does the dog bay or howl on walks, and is there anywhere the owner has had complaints?
- Has the dog ever followed a scent out of sight, and how did it come back?
- Any back or spine concerns to keep in mind on steps, jumps and steep banks?