Schipperke vs Drever - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Drever dog hails from Sweden, being brought from Germany to the Scandinavian country in 1910. As a scenthound, in spite of his short legs, he was once used for hunting purposes, having a keen nose.

The dog was developed from the Westphalian Dachsbracke and then crossbred with other Swedish hounds.

By the 1940s there were two distinctive sizes of this Dachsbracke dog and the larger one was named Drever. It was in 1947 that the Drever was then recognized by the Swedish Kennel Club as a separate breed. It was also recognized by a number of other clubs and registries.

The Schipperke is a small dog which hails from Belguim and where he is known as a Spitz.

There are however different theories regarding the Schipperke’s origin. It was however during the late 1800s, that Belgian Schipperke fanciers set a standard for the breed.

It was in 1888 that the first Schipperke was imported to the United States and a specialty club for the breed founded in 1905.

Looking quite similar to the Beagle, the Drever is a medium sized dog which stands at about 32 – 38cm and weighing between 14 and 16kg.

He has a fairly long body but unlike the Dachshund his short legs are straight and aren’t bent. The nose of the dog is fairly large and black and the ears are quite long, much like a Beagle dog.

The eyes are bright, alert and dark and the expression on the dog’s face is amicable and gentle.

He has a short, dense coat and is looked upon as a moderate to heavy shedder. The coat can be in several colors such as brown or tan and black with white markings over the face, neck, chest and feet. He has floppy ears and a long tail carried downwards.

This little Belgian dog stands at between 25 and 33cm in height and weighs between 3 and 9kg.

The double coat of the dog is fairly short, but thick and it comes in a range of colors, but always solid, from chocolate to apricot to black.

A typical characteristic of his is the longer-haired ruff around his neck. He also has this longer hair around the hind legs. He has sharp, erect ears and the tail is a natural bobtail or long. Most people choose to have the tail docked.

Temperament:

These little dogs are no pushover. He is stubborn, strong-willed and confident. They are lively, intelligent, curious and energetic and will require plenty of exercise.

Small though he is, he will certainly need training and socialization, otherwise he just goes his own way. Training him will ensure he is obedient and not so strong-willed. They get on well with children, but they tend to be aggressive with other dogs that they haven’t grown up with.

Bring him up the right way and he makes a splendid pet.

The Drever dog is an easy dog to have around, not requiring any special treatment to keep him happy.

He gets on well with every member of the family as well as any pets in the home and fits easily into city- or country life.

He is an active dog however, and will require exercising to avoid him becoming frustrated.

Treat your amicable Drever with the attention he deserves and you’ll have a friendly, calm and devoted pet who wants to be your best friend.

With his bright little face, the Schipperke dog is a surprising dog, being fearless, confident, protective and devoted – everything people looking for in an excellent pet want.

His small size makes him able to slot into life in the city or the countryside. He is also looked upon as low maintenance. Add to this the fact that he is intelligent too. He is a feisty dog, and that’s why we say he is surprising because while he can be your sweet companion dog, he can turn into a robust, feisty, daring little panther. He’s got everything going for him to make you a splendid pet.

The Drever is a dog which enjoys good health generally, and with good care he can reach 12 to 15 years of age. The Drever, similar to other dogs, may be susceptible to some common health concerns that any healthy dog can experience such as back pain, hip dysplasia, eye diseases, obesity, diabetes and others.

Veterinary care is an important part of a dog’s health – from puppyhood to the senior years. However, the frequency of visits you make to your vet with your adult dog will depend on his health.

The Schipperke has no real health problems that he specifically gets, and he can live to be 13 years or older.

Over-feeding, bad food choices and lack of exercise are going to shorten the lifespan of this dog. Some dog illnesses to be aware of with the Schipperke is cancer, bloat, epilepsy, dental problems and luxating patella.

Luxating Patella:

This is a condition where the knee cap of the dog moves out of its natural position. The patella moving out of the normal groove of the thigh bone can be because of genetic or traumatic reasons.

The symptoms of luxating patella include limping, skipping along as well as an abnormal sitting posture. Arthritis can also set in. Strangely, many small dogs live all their lives with luxating patella and they live like that free of pain. However for many other dogs it can mean pain and it can require surgery.

Diet:

It is important to feed your dog food that will cater to his digestion. That is why some of the best commercially manufactured foods are so good – they cater specifically for a dog’s age, his size, his activity levels and for any illnesses he may have.

In terms of activity levels, the Drever is an active dog, quite capable of chasing prey for long distances without tiring. This is why some dog foods are breed- and activity specific.

A good brand of kibble mixed with some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken will be excellent for your pet. Remember, if at all possible, to include some raw meat into the diet from time to time. Cool, fresh water should be available at all times.

Grooming:

Maintaining your Drever’s short, coarse coat won’t be a hassle, and you can call him a low maintenance dog. All that is essentially required is for you to give his coat a good brush twice a week. Nails will also need to be checked as well as his ears. Ignoring his ears can lead to wax build up and dirt and this can result in infection.

Diet:

Dry kibble is always a good choice for dogs as its helps to keep the dog’s teeth clean. You want to make sure you buy one of the best quality foods, full of minerals and vitamins as opposed to fillers, colorants and preservatives. The food you give your Schipperke can have a huge impact on his health.

Your puppy will require 4 meals a day but later this becomes 2 bowls of food. To add some variety to your pet’s diet, feed him some home made food occasionally which can be added to his dry kibble twice a week.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your Schipperke.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet as this can help in fighting off horrible skin diseases. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

General care:

Ensure regular vet checks for your dog, particularly when he is showing signs of being sick.

Check your pet for ticks and fleas. Parasites can be very bad for your pet’s health. Your dog will need all his vaccines to stave off deadly canine illnesses.

Brush your Schipperke twice a week to make sure you get rid of loose hairs. A Schipperke doesn’t shed a lot.

Keep his nails trimmed. If you are unsure on how to do this, professional groomers can do this for you.

Ears and eyes should also be checked.

He’s an energetic little dog so make sure that he gets lot of excellent forms of exercise from walking to hikes to ball games, frisbee – you name it, you won’t tire him out easily.