The Drever is Sweden's most popular hunting breed. It was bred in the early 1900s from the Westphalian Dachsbracke, a German dog, for a special Swedish hunting job. The Drever's job is to drive deer. It follows the scent trail slowly and never lets up, pushing the deer at a steady pace toward a hunter who waits in one spot. The dog bays the whole time, so the hunter always knows where the dog and deer are. This work needed a strong nose, great stamina, a loud voice, and the will to keep working through rough ground and bad weather.
The Drever weighs 14-16 kg. It has a low, long, sturdy body, a bit like a bigger, longer-legged Dachshund, plus a tricolor or bicolor coat and a deep chest built for scent work. The FCI and the Swedish Kennel Club both recognize the breed. It has topped Sweden's popularity polls many times, prized both as a skilled hunting dog and as a friendly family companion once its needs are met.
For an owner, the Drever is a friendly, loyal dog, but its hunting instincts shape how you train it. Once it locks onto a scent, recall gets hard in areas full of smells. Its loud, built-in bay needs steady management in any home. Its stamina means it needs a lot of exercise every day. And its nose often pulls its focus away from you. The good news: this breed is unusually social and food-driven, which makes training easier and builds a strong bond. With early bay training, patient recall work, plenty of exercise, and reward-based methods, the Drever makes a cheerful, capable companion.
At a glance:
- Trainability: 6/10, social and food-motivated but the nose overrides most cues on a trail
- Biggest risk factor: scent persistence, once locked on, the dog follows the trail until the job is done
- Voice note: a strong, hardwired bay used to guide hunters, needs active management
- Example: a Drever that picks up a scent mid-walk can bay and follow it for a long stretch, oblivious to your calls
- Not for: apartment living or owners expecting a quiet, hands-off breed
What Makes Training a Drever Different
1. It won't let go of a scent. The Drever was bred to stick with a trail until the job is done. Once it catches a scent, it is hard to interrupt. Recall in smell-rich places takes real, long-term work.
2. It has a loud, carrying bay. The Drever bays the whole time it tracks, to guide the hunter. That loud voice is built in, not a bad habit. You need steady, active training from puppyhood to manage it at home.
3. It is friendly and people-focused. Unlike many independent hunting breeds, the Drever loves people. That makes it food-motivated and easy to build a good, reward-based training bond with. This is a real plus.
4. It has a low body but real stamina. Despite its long, low shape, the Drever is full of energy and can work long days. It needs a lot of daily exercise. Just watch high jumps, since they strain its long back.
Week-by-Week Training Plan for Your Drever
Weeks 1 and 2 : Foundation and Bay Priority
Install a "quiet" cue early; the bay habit forms fast and is among the strongest of hunting breeds. Our puppy basics guide covers the mechanics.
- Begin a "quiet" cue in week one before the bay becomes a fixed habit.
- Socialize broadly with people, dogs, surfaces, and sounds.
- Pair short, upbeat sessions with high-value food.
- Manage stairs and high jumps to protect the long back.
Weeks 3 and 4 : Core Commands
Sit, down, and stay come readily, helped by the breed's social, food-motivated nature.
- Teach the core cues with luring, fading to hand signals.
- Add a leave it cue for managing scent distractions.
- Keep sessions short, varied, and rewarding.
Weeks 5 and 6 : Recall, Essential Investment
Build recall against the relentless scent persistence.
- Train recall on a long line in a fenced area with high-value rewards.
- Never let the dog practice self-directed roaming on a trail.
- Reserve off-leash freedom for secure areas near scent.
Weeks 7 and 8 : Loose Leash and Bay Management
Install leash manners and proof the "quiet" cue.
- Use a front-clip harness and the stop-and-stand method for loose-leash walking.
- Apply "quiet" at windows, doors, and on walks.
- Reward calm, settled behavior over baying.
Weeks 9 and 10 : Nose Work
Give the powerful nose its natural outlet.
- Introduce nose work, the breed's defining feature and a satisfying outlet.
- Reward controlled, focused scenting work.
- Continue proofing the "quiet" cue alongside.
Weeks 11 and 12 : Proofing
Consolidate the foundations with ongoing challenge.
- Proof recall in progressively distracting, scent-rich environments.
- Proof "quiet" and other cues in distracting settings.
- Establish a sustainable rhythm of vigorous exercise, nose work, and training.
Common Drever Training Mistakes
Mistake 1 : Allowing the bay without management. The bay is among the strongest of hunting breeds and forms a habit within weeks. Install a "quiet" cue from day one.
Mistake 2 : Off-leash in unfenced areas. The scent persistence means the Drever follows a trail indefinitely. Use fenced areas only.
Mistake 3 : Under-exercising. The working hound needs vigorous daily activity to stay manageable.
Mistake 4 : Boring, repetitive drilling. Keep sessions short and rewarding; the nose-forward hound bores fast. Full breakdown : Drever training mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Drevers friendly ? Very, among the more sociable and people-friendly of hunting breeds, which is a large part of why they are so popular in Sweden as both hunting dogs and family companions. That friendliness gives them good food motivation and makes reward-based training effective.
Are Drevers easy to train ? Basic obedience, yes, helped by the breed's social, food-motivated nature. Off-leash reliability near scent trails, however, is a long-term investment, because the relentless scent persistence overrides most cues once a trail is active, so success comes from patient recall work rather than quick obedience.
How much exercise does a Drever need ? Sixty minutes of vigorous activity daily, plus nose work. Despite the short legs, the Drever is an energetic working hound with real stamina, and it needs a genuine outlet to stay settled.
Are Drevers good family dogs ? Excellent, they are social, friendly, even-tempered, and good with children, which is why they are a beloved family breed in Scandinavia. Their bay and exercise needs mean an active home and bay management are important.
Are Drevers good apartment dogs ? The strong, carrying bay makes apartments a significant challenge unless the barking is actively managed and the dog is thoroughly exercised. A home with a securely fenced yard suits the breed far better.
Are Drevers rare outside Scandinavia ? Yes, very, the breed is almost exclusively Scandinavian, hugely popular in Sweden but uncommon elsewhere. Finding one outside the region usually requires significant research and often importing.
How long do Drevers live ? Typically twelve to fifteen years, a generally healthy, hardy breed. Responsible breeders screen for the back and joint conditions associated with the long body, and keeping the Drever lean and protecting its back from high jumps supports a long, comfortable old age.
Why TailorPup Was Built for Drevers
A generic companion plan does not address the Drever's relentless scent persistence, its powerful bay, or the specific approach a hunting hound needs. TailorPup's Drever plan installs bay management from week one, builds recall against the nose, and channels the scent drive into nose work, while leaning on the breed's friendly, food-motivated nature.
Daily 12-minute training sessions plus weekly adjustments. Free 7-day trial, cancel anytime.
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Related: Drever Training Mistakes · Recall Training · Barking Solutions · Puppy Training Basics