Are Drevers Safe Around Small Pets? | Owner Guide

If you're considering bringing a Drever into a home with small pets, you might wonder if this breed can coexist peacefully with them. Drevers are known for their strong prey drive, which means they have a natural instinct to chase smaller animals. However, with proper training and supervision, it is possible to manage their behavior around small pets. In this guide, we'll explore the Drever's tendencies, offer practical advice for owners, and share training strategies to help ensure safety and harmony.

Understanding the Drever's Tendencies Around Small Pets

The Drever is a scenthound bred for tracking game, which gives it a fairly high prey drive. This means they may naturally want to chase or investigate small animals like rabbits, rodents, or birds. While Drevers are generally friendly and good with other dogs and children, their hunting instincts can make cohabitation with small pets challenging. Cats and larger small pets, such as guinea pigs or rabbits, may be at risk without proper introductions and boundaries.

Practical Advice for Drever Owners

When living with small pets, it's important to:

• Supervise all interactions carefully, especially in the beginning.
• Provide a safe, secure space for your small pets where the Drever cannot reach.
• Understand that some small pets, like hamsters or birds, are least compatible due to their size and vulnerability.
• Recognize that cats may be somewhat compatible if introduced slowly and monitored closely.

Training and Management Strategies

To help your Drever coexist safely with small pets, follow these steps:

1. Start early: Introduce your Drever to small pets at a young age if possible, under controlled conditions.
2. Use positive reinforcement: Reward calm behavior around small animals.
3. Teach reliable recall and impulse control: Commands like "leave it" or "stay" are essential.
4. Gradually increase exposure: Allow the Drever to observe small pets from a distance before closer interactions.
5. Never leave them unsupervised: Even well-trained dogs can act on instinct unexpectedly.

Common Scenarios and Solutions

• Scenario: Drever chasing a pet rabbit.

  • Solution: Use a leash during introductions and redirect attention with treats.

• Scenario: Small bird in the same room.

  • Solution: Keep the bird in a secure cage and place it out of the Drever's reach.

• Scenario: Introducing Drever to a family cat.

  • Solution: Use controlled meetings and positive reinforcement to build tolerance.

Conclusion

Drevers have a strong prey drive that can make living with small pets challenging but not impossible. With consistent training, careful supervision, and proper management, many Drever owners successfully maintain peaceful homes with cats and some small animals. However, extremely small or fragile pets are generally not recommended in Drever households.

By understanding your Drever’s instincts and applying these strategies, you can create a safe and happy environment for all your pets.