Scenthound Small size 14-16 kg

Drever

A short-legged Swedish scenthound bred to track - friendly and even-tempered, but a determined nose that needs secure walking.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Small
Size
14-16 kg, 30-38 cm
Moderate
Activity
Steady tracking stamina
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles normal work days
Moderate
Trainability
Trainable but nose-driven
Low
Coat care
Short coat, minimal grooming
Good
Fit with kids
Good with children
Moderate
Other pets
Generally sociable pack hound
Light
Health burden
Intervertebral disc issues, Chronic ear infections

The Drever typically weighs 14-16 kg, stands 30-38 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a sturdy, even-tempered small hound rather than a fragile toy dog,
you enjoy long, sniffy walks and can accept leash-first outings,
you like scent games, tracking, or hunting with a dog,
a moderate, steady exercise routine fits your life better than dog sports.

Do not consider this breed if…

you expect off-leash obedience - a hot trail beats your recall,
your yard fencing is casual; a scenthound follows its nose under and through,
frequent baying or trail-voice would be a problem with your neighbors,
you have free-roaming rabbits or rodents at home.

A typical day with a Drever

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Unhurried sniff-heavy walk, 40-60 minutes
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Settles into a nap; an easy house dog
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Short garden patrol, nose to the ground
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Scent game or tracking line - the day's highlight
  5. 19:00 · Evening
    Content family time, food-focused negotiation
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Sleeps deeply; not a restless breed

Temperament and training

Scent drive Very high
Even temper High
Persistence Very high
Trainability Moderate
Vocality High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Trusting recall around wildlife and losing the dog to a trail · Letting a long-backed dog get fat and jump off furniture · Underestimating the hunting voice - Drevers are loud on scent

Family and environment

Kids Good
Patient, sturdy and even-keeled with children.
Dogs Good
Pack hound roots - generally easy with other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Household cats can work if raised together; outdoor cats get chased.
Apartment Conditional
Size fits; the baying and daily walk budget are the constraints.
House with a yard Suitable
Fence low gaps - short legs still dig and squeeze.
City Manages
Calm on leash; endless smells keep walks slow.
Countryside Ideal
Trails and fields are its element - on a line or in a fence.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Intervertebral disc issues Long back; limit jumping
Chronic ear infections Check drop ears regularly
Obesity Watch food and treats
Hip dysplasia Occasional, screen stock

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The Drever's direct ancestor, even rarer
Westphalian Dachsbracke
A short-legged German scenthound that is friendly and hardy - the nose and stamina still need daily outlets.
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Familiar low-slung scenthound, more laid-back
Basset Hound
A gentle, low-slung scenthound that is wonderful with kids but stubborn on the trail and prone to ear, back, and weight issues.
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Easier to find, similar nose-first lifestyle
Beagle
A merry, kid-proof scent hound that follows its nose over your commands - and tells the whole street when left alone.
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Frequently asked questions

How much does a Drever cost?
The Drever is common in Sweden but genuinely rare in the US - breeders are few, so expect roughly $1,000-$2,000 when a litter exists, plus possible import costs from Scandinavia and a wait measured in months. Over a 12-15 year life, food and routine vet care for a small hound typically add $12,000-$18,000+.
Is a Drever basically a Dachshund?
No, though the silhouette rhymes. The Drever descends from the German Westphalian Dachsbracke and is a taller, heavier, more moderate dog bred as a serious driving hound for deer and hare. It shares the long-backed caution with Dachshunds, but it is a working scenthound first, companion second.
Can a Drever be let off leash?
Rarely and only in safe, enclosed areas. This breed was bred to follow a scent trail for hours while ignoring everything else - including you. A Drever on a hot trail is deaf to recall by design. Long lines, tracking sports and secure fields are the honest compromise.
Do Drevers bark a lot?
On scent, yes - the breed hunts with a loud, carrying trail voice, and that instinct does not vanish in a backyard. Day to day at home they are fairly quiet and mellow, but if a rabbit crosses the garden, the neighbors will know. Thin-walled apartments should think twice.