The thumbnail sketch of the Drever is of a short-legged scent hound from Sweden used for hunting deer and other game, but there’s more to the breed that that.
This most popular of deer hunting dogs of Sweden (actually, Drever’s are considered the first choice for deer tracking) is believed to be descended from the Westphalian Dachsbrackes imported from Germany into Denmark and Sweden where they were appreciated for their hunting prowess. Swiss hounds were bred with these dogs In Denmark to create a Danish dachsbracke, and when they were brought to Sweden, they were backcrossed again to Westphalian Dachsbrackes. This last cross created the Drever.
The end result was a courageous and superb scent detection dog that’s a furious chaser bred to catch and dispatch game. Because of its short legs, the Drever is slower than other hounds, but that makes the breed ideal for maneuvering game toward the hunter’s gun.
The Drever was recognized by the Swedish Kennel Club in 1949, and when Canada accepted the breed in 1956, it became the first English speaking country to do so. Recognition by the United Kennel Club came in 1996, and by the FCI in 2006. It’s currently an FSS breed with the AKC.
Drever by April Perrin, a Canadian “Haida” artist
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