What makes the Boykin Spaniel Unique?
With its cheerful disposition and friendly nature, the Boykin Spaniel makes a perfect hunting dog as well as a family pet. This modern, water loving breed is equally adroit at retrieving downed games and playing endless games of fetch with older children.
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Is the Boykin Spaniel Right For You?
Boykin Spaniels are generally docile, obedient pets but can get distracted by smells because they were bred to hunt. They are quite intelligent and enjoy spending time in the water. These dogs also possess enough stamina to spend all day working and all afternoon playing so these dogs are best for active families.
The Boykin Spaniel dog breed is known for his hunting skills, but he makes just as good a companion to a family as to a hunter, thanks to his smarts and his friendly confidence. The family should be an active one, however; this dog needs lots of exercise.
In 5 Words
- Energetic
- Friendly
- Companionable
- Eager
- Intelligent
Characteristics
Learn About the Boykin Spaniel
Description
General Description
These furry water spaniels were created specifically for hunting in the Southern portions of the United States. Their brown coats tend to vary in density and length because they claim dogs of many different breeds as recent ancestors. These dogs tend to be slightly longer than they are tall. Boykin Spaniels generally have a bright, engaging look in their gold to amber colored eyes. They have hanging ears and their tails are generally docked. Some members of this breed may also have white fur on their chest and also on their toes. The Boykin Spaniel Society limits admittance to those dogs with white markings that cover less than 60% of their chests. However, the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club will still allow Boykin Spaniels to be registered that do not meet breed standards.
Size
Somewhat larger than the English Cocker Spaniel, the Boykin Spaniel has a much heavier body structure. Males typically measure about 15.5 to 17 inches (39.4 to 43.18 centimeters) at the withers or the shoulder blades. They also weigh around 30 to 40 pounds (13.6 to 18.2 kilograms). The females of this breed are somewhat smaller. These dogs should stand between 14 and 16.5 inches (35 and 41.91 centimeters) at the withers and weigh between 25 and 35 pounds (11.4 and 15.9 kilograms). Some breeders have recently been trying to create a larger dog type but this is not currently sanctioned by breed standards and so prospective owners should be aware of this fact.
Coat
These dogs have coats in many different shades of brown, ranging from liver colored to chocolate in hue. All coat types are perfectly acceptable. Some Boykin Spaniels may have fur that is almost curly while others may have very straight coats. The coat thickness generally measures between 1 to 2 inches, but there are few bloodlines that have much shorter fur. There may be gold to tawny colored feathering on the chest, legs, and ears of these dogs. This is not considered a fault in the show ring.
Dogs that are kept groomed for the show ring are only allowed to be clipped in a minimalistic fashion. However, shaping is permissible around a dog’s head and it’s topline. Topknots are allowed as well. As long as their coats are long enough to protect their skin, working types should not be penalized for having a shaved coat. Owners should be aware that incorrect shaving can result in the discoloration of their pet’s fur.
Short History of the Boykin Spaniel
Over 100 years ago in South Carolina, Alexander White took home a stray spaniel dog that became a family pet. This dog, which he named Dumpy, had good hunting skills so Mr. White sent the dog to his friend Lemuel Boykin to be trained. Dumpy learned quickly and proved his worth as a retriever. He was bred to a small female spaniel with a reddish brown, curly coat. Their offspring were the favorite of wealthy northerners who traveled south for hunting season. These dogs had great personalities as well and many of these dogs went home with the hunters as family pets. These dogs have continued to serve their owners as hunting dogs and companions. The breed registry was started around the 1950s s but the breed was not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until 2009.
Temperament
Boykin Spaniels are generally docile, obedient pets but can get distracted by smells because they were bred to hunt. They are quite intelligent and enjoy spending time in the water. These dogs also possess enough stamina to spend all day working and all afternoon playing so these dogs are best for active families. These spaniels love company in the form of children, other dogs, or both. However, this breed has a low tolerance for roughhousing and is not suitable for families with toddlers.
Caring for Your Boykin Spaniel
General Health
Although Boykin Spaniels generally live about 12 years, health problems can occur in any breed. Some of the major concerns for this breed include patellar luxation, distichiasis, and hip dysplasia. These dogs are also prone to ear infections and should be dried completely after they have spent time in the water.
Care
Daily
As is the case with many sporting breeds, Boykin Spaniels require daily exercise. They like long walks and enjoy swimming. This breed is also good at various dog sports.
Weekly
These dogs should be brushed two or three times per week. Because Boykin Spaniels are prone to ear infections it is recommended that their owners also check their ears at least once a week for any signs of illness such as redness or swelling. It is also a good idea to regularly brush a dog’s teeth to prevent bad breath and the onset of periodontal disease.
Monthly
All dogs require flea, tick and heartworm medication on a monthly basis.
Grooming & Bathing
Working Boykin Spaniels may need to be shaved or clipped on a regular basis because their soft coat can otherwise collect all sorts of debris. This breed will also need to be bathed every few months or so. When grooming their pets, owners may want to use a detangling spray that is formulated for dogs as well as a slicker brush in order to keep mats from forming in their dog’s fur.
Exercise & Training
Most working breeds that are not given a task to perform require a great deal of exercise. and the Boykin Spaniel is no exception. There are also a few lines that have overly high energy levels and some with a tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs. Therefore, owners should start training their dogs early. This breed benefits from positive training methods that make learning fun. They also need calm, consistent leadership in order to do their best.
Boykin Spaniel Picture Gallery
