Drever vs Harrier
Compare two breeds
Pick two breeds to see them compared side by side.
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.
Harrier
The Harrier was used in England to hunt hare for hunters following on foot, smaller than a Foxhound but fast and tireless enough to run quarry down across open fields for hours. The name comes from an old French word for hare, which describes its sole historic purpose precisely. The short, dense coat needs minimal grooming. A male weighs up to 27 kilograms, muscular and high-energy, at its best with a job or at least a long daily run. The breed tends to hunt by scent even in a domestic setting, so a leash outdoors is close to essential. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.
At a glance
| Drever | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 32.0–38.0 cm | 48.0–55.0 cm |
| Weight (male) | 14.0–16.0 kg | 20.0–27.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 yrs | 10–12 yrs |
| Coat | short, dense | short, dense |
Temperament & Family Life
| Drever | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| Drever | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| Drever | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| Drever | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Drooling | ||
| Grooming need |
Temperament and care scores (1-5) are a general guide based on the breed standard — every individual dog is different.