Drever

The Drever's short, coarse coat is easy to look after. This is a wash-and-wear breed: it sheds some, but a weekly brushing session keeps shedding in check and the coat looking good. An occasional bath is all most Drevers need to stay clean.

Round out grooming with the basics every dog needs. Trim the nails with a clipper or grinder when they get long to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. Check the ears regularly to keep wax and debris from building up, and brush the teeth as part of the routine.

The Drever is an active, energetic breed that needs stimulating activity and exercise every day to stay healthy and happy. Give it a balanced routine and it is just as content to settle on the couch with you afterward. These dogs love time with their people, so walking, biking, and hiking together are good options.

Drevers may be smaller than traditional hunting dogs, but they match them in stamina, and they thrive on work that taps their scenting and hunting instincts. Canine sports are a great outlet too, including barn hunting, shed hunting, lure coursing, rally, and agility.

Drevers are hunters, and they will follow their nose, so teaching them to listen to commands is a must. A strong prey drive can get the better of them, which makes proper training from an early age essential.

Gentle and loving as they are, a hound can still be stubborn, and that streak can make training take real commitment. Reward-based techniques work best for strong results.

Remember that all dogs need socialization to become safe, well-adjusted companions, and that is especially true for hunting breeds.