Beagle vs Drever
Compare two breeds
Pick two breeds to see them compared side by side.
Beagle
The Beagle is one of the oldest and most popular hound breeds in the world, tracing back to England, where small hunting dogs used for hare were already documented at Queen Elizabeth I's court in the sixteenth century. Its nose ranks among the strongest of any breed, which is why Beagles are widely used at airports to detect food or contraband. An adult male weighs around 11 kilograms, compact yet tireless, built to follow a scent for hours on end. The short, dense coat needs little more than regular brushing. Its baying voice is among the loudest of any small breed and can go on at length once it catches an interesting scent. Once locked onto a smell, a Beagle often tunes out its owner entirely, making off-leash walks risky. Temperament is friendly and sociable with other dogs, a legacy of working in packs. A tendency to overeat is a well-known trait in the breed. Life expectancy runs 12 to 15 years.
Drever
The Drever was developed in Sweden in the early twentieth century by crossing local hounds with the German Dachsbracke, aiming for a short-legged dog that could trail game slowly but relentlessly until the hunter caught up. Those short, sturdy legs let it push through dense undergrowth where a taller hound would tire faster. An adult male weighs around 16 kilograms, making it one of the more compact Swedish hounds. The short, dense coat needs little more than regular brushing during shedding season. In Sweden it remains one of the most popular hunting breeds, though it is rarely seen elsewhere. It tends to bay loudly on a trail, which can make apartment life a challenge. Nose and stamina matter more than speed here, and its exercise needs follow accordingly. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.
At a glance
| Beagle | Drever | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 36.0–41.0 cm | 32.0–38.0 cm |
| Weight (male) | 10.0–11.0 kg | 14.0–16.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 yrs | 12–14 yrs |
| Coat | short, dense, weatherproof | short, dense |
Temperament & Family Life
| Beagle | Drever | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| Beagle | Drever | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| Beagle | Drever | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| Beagle | Drever | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Drooling | ||
| Grooming need |
Temperament and care scores (1-5) are a general guide based on the breed standard — every individual dog is different.