DREVER
The Drever , or as the breed was previously called "dachsbrachen", originated in around 1850 in Germany . A translation of the german name reveals the breeds origins , namely "dachs" from Dachshund and "brache" which is the german term for a hound in the same sort of style as a foxhound. This unlikely mix was brought about indirectly by the revolutionary changes in Prussia in the year 1848 , which among many other things , allowed common people to hunt . Previously the right to hunt had been a priviledge of the ruling classes , and when small landowners started hunting they had to have hounds which were slower and didn't need huge areas to hunt on .
As late as 1893 , Dachsbrachen hounds were a very mixed bunch , being sometimes able to win prizes in several different breed classes in the same dog show! The type however became more consolidated after 1896 when the german Dachsbrachen club was formed.
These hounds , or rather descendants of these hounds came to Sweden by way of Denmark, the first litter being registered in 1913 . The breeds popularity grew very slowly to start with , and numbers didn't increase until the late 30's when hunting in Sweden changed due to the enormous growth of the roe-deer population. ( this is in my opinion the single worst thing that could have happened to Swedish hunting , but not many swedes would agree with me on that !). From this point on , the breed grew enourmously in popularity, as these hounds are eminently suited to roe-deer hunting.Hunting trials were introduced for this breed in about 1935 , which not only proved their worth as good hounds , but also laid the foundation of one of the most successful breeding programs ever, resulting in a near perfect hunting dog ( in the category hounds which pursue their prey whilst giving tounge). In 1947 the breeds name was changed to DREVER in the postwar anti german atmosphere that prevailed then , but the breed remains the same, albeit much improved by the methodical swedish breeding programme.
The modern Drever is a complete allround hound, which can be used for fox,hare and roe-deer with equal success.
