The Drever is Sweden's most popular hunting breed, developed in the early twentieth century from the Westphalian Dachsbracke imported from Germany and refined for a very specific Swedish hunting technique. The Drever's job is to drive deer, to follow the scent trail slowly and relentlessly, pushing the deer at a steady, controllable pace toward a stationary hunter, while baying continuously so the hunter always knows where the dog and quarry are. That work demanded a particular combination of traits: a powerful nose, relentless stamina and persistence, a strong carrying voice, and the determination to keep working through difficult terrain and weather.
Weighing 14-16 kg, the Drever has a low, long, sturdy body, somewhat like a larger, longer-legged Dachshund, a tricolor or bicolor coat, and the deep chest of a working scent hound. It is recognized by the FCI and the Swedish Kennel Club, and it has topped public polls as Sweden's most popular breed multiple times, valued not only as a capable hunting dog but as a friendly, even-tempered family companion when its needs are met.
For an owner, the Drever is a friendly, devoted dog whose scent-hound working traits govern its training. Its relentless persistence on a scent makes recall in scent-rich environments a serious project; its powerful, hardwired bay needs active management in any residential setting; its stamina demands substantial daily exercise; and its nose-forward focus means training competes constantly with the environment. The breed's notably sociable, people-friendly nature is a genuine asset, giving it good food motivation and a positive training relationship. Given early bay management, patient recall work, vigorous exercise, and reward-based training, the Drever is a cheerful, capable, and wonderful companion.
What Makes Training a Drever Different
1. Relentless persistence on a scent. The Drever was bred for persistence above all, it follows a trail until the job is done, which translates into a dog that is not easily interrupted once it has a scent. Recall in scent-rich environments is a serious, long-term project.
2. A strong, carrying bay. The Drever bays continuously on the trail to guide the hunter, and that loud, persistent voice is hardwired. Managing it in a residential environment requires active, consistent training from puppyhood.
3. A friendly, people-oriented nature. Unlike some independent hunting breeds, the Drever is notably sociable and people-friendly, which gives it good food motivation and makes for a positive, reward-based training relationship, a real advantage.
4. A low-slung build with real stamina. Despite the long, low body, the Drever is energetic and capable of long working days, so it needs substantial daily exercise, with sensible attention to not over-stressing the long back with high jumping.
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 for 7 days, no card required.
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Related: Drever Training Mistakes · Recall Training · Barking Solutions · Puppy Training Basics