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Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound vs Drever

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

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The bottom line

Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound vs Drever

You’re probably looking at these two because they’re both rare, both scent hounds, and both built for serious work in rugged terrain. But here’s the thing: they’re built for different kinds of grit. The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound was forged in the steep, rocky peaks of the Alps, tracking wounded game with a quiet intensity. The Drever? That’s a Swedish forest dog, shorter and longer, designed to stir up deer and move them toward hunters at a steady, unstoppable pace. So what does that mean for you? If you’re an experienced owner with acres of land and a need for a dog that can work all day without barking much, the Bavarian might be your match. He’s reserved with strangers, focused, and needs a job that challenges his mind. not just his legs. He’s not the kind of dog who’ll bark at every squirrel, but he also won’t be best friends with your visiting nephew. Kids aren’t his favorite, and he won’t adapt well to city life or flimsy rules. The Drever, though, is more of a team player. He’s eager to please, trains like a dream, and gets along great with kids. But. and this is a big one. he will bark. He was bred to vocalize during the hunt, so if you live near neighbors or want a quiet household, you’ll be frustrated. He’s also prone to back issues, so you can’t just let him jump in and out of the truck all day. Here’s the insight no breeder will lead with: both dogs need purpose. But the Bavarian needs silence and precision, the Drever needs rhythm and routine. Pick the Bavarian if you want a quiet partner in solitude. Pick the Drever if you want a loyal, goofy, barking shadow in a family that’s always on the move.

Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound
Drever
17–20.5 in
Height
12–15 in
37–66 lb
Weight
35–40 lb
12–15 yr
Lifespan
15–15 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.0–2.5k
AKC popularity

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound Drever
Overlay

Where they diverge

Good with Young Children
Drever is better with kids (2-point difference)
Drever
Good with Other Dogs
Drever is better with other dogs (2-point difference)
Drever
Barking Level
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound barks less (2-point difference)
Bavarian
Coat Grooming
Drever needs less grooming (1-point difference)
Drever
Good with Strangers
Drever is friendlier with strangers (1-point difference)
Drever
The verdict

Choose the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound if…

  • Active people
  • Hunters
  • Rural homes
  • You value coat groomingBavarian Mountain Scent Hound scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Drever if…

  • hunters
  • active families in cold climates
  • outdoor adventurers
  • You value good with young childrenDrever scores higher here.
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Drever Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Drever home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

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