Many people may not be aware of the Boykin Spaniel, which originated in the early 1900’s in South Carolina in the United States, but those that do only have wonderful things to say about these amber eyed dogs.
The Boykin Spaniel is an intelligent and eager to please gundog that has just recently been accepted by the AKC in the Miscellaneous Class. It is a versatile breed that is good natured and makes a wonderful family dog. In addition, the breed has shown that it can be utilized in the field in many ways.
A born swimmer, the Boykin Spaniel can retrieve both on land and in the water and is quite happy to do both. IT is also a breed that does exceptionally well flushing quarry and can be used in both dove fields and upland hunting.
The Boykin Spaniel, while still relatively unknown, is sure to delight many sportsmen and hunters in the years to come.
Pro’s and con’s of owning a Boykin Spaniel
It may be surprising that a relatively new breed that originated in the United States could possibly the next best thing when it comes to hunting dogs. The Boykin Spaniel is a versatile hunting dog that is intelligent, docile and can be used for both flushing and retrieving on both land and water. This versatility has made it apparent that the breed is definitely an active benefit to many sportsmen.
The Pro’s
One only has to see the Boykin Spaniel in the field to truly understand what a remarkable breed this is but besides its versatility with hunting, the Boykin Spaniel has a number of traits that make them a desirable dog for many.
• They are eager to please, making them easier than some breeds to train.
• Although they have high energy levels, they do well in an apartment if their exercise requirements are met.
• They do well with other animals and pets in the home with proper socialization.
• They have a pleasant and docile nature that makes them an ideal dog for families with children.
The Con’s
Like all breeds, there are a number of cons that should be taken into consideration before you purchase one.
• They have high energy and require at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day.
• They are intelligent dogs that need to be working. Without proper stimulation, a Boykin Spaniel can become bored and destructive.
• Boykin Spaniels can have a number of serious health problems such as heart and skin problems.
• They will wander away if they are allowed to.
• Although they are eager to please, they do require an owner that has clear and consistent rules.
Health Issues:
The Boykin Spaniel has a number of hereditary disorders and diseases that can affect it but like many other purebred breeds, there are clearances that should be done before a dog is bred. This ensures the longevity of the breed and keeping it as free from potential illnesses.
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Patellar Luxation
• Hypothyroidism
• Under Bites
• Cardiac and Heart Problems
• Eye Problems
• Seizures
Height & Weight:
The Boykin Spaniel is a medium sized dog that has good bone but is neither too heavy nor too light. The breed should be sturdy, sound in appearance and should have the medium build of an athletic breed. Its length should be equal to its height.
The size of the Boykin Spaniel is:
Males: 15.5 to 18.5 inches (39 to 47 cm) tall and 30 to 40 pounds (14 to 18 kg.)
Females: 14.5 to 16.5 inches (37 to 42 cm) tall and 25 to 35 pounds (11 to 16 kg.)
Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog.
Grooming:
The Boykin Spaniel has a long dense coat that can be cared for in a variety of ways and there is actually no breed standard to how you keep your dog’s coat. Generally, if you are using your dog for anything other than hunting, you can keep the coat long but if you are using your dog as a gundog, especially for dove fields, it is recommended that you clip the dog’s coat close to skin.
If you choose to keep clipping to a minimum, you should maintain your dog’s coat whenever you use them for hunting. Because they have a soft coat, they tend to pick up a lot of debris when they are in the field so after hunting, you should brush out your dog to remove all of the dirt and debris. If you are not hunting, or if you clip your dog’s coat, you should brush your dog once a week to remove any mats.
Boykin Spaniels do not need to be bathed on a regular basis and they should not be bathed more than once a month and it is important that you use quality pet shampoos when you do. Nails should be kept trimmed and ears should be check regularly and removed of any debris and wax.
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
History:
The Boykin Spaniel actually has a very short history and it can trace its lineage back to one specific dog that was discovered in the early 1900’s in South Carolina by Alexander L. White (1860-1942) on his way home from church. The dog, known as Dumpy, was a small spaniel of unknown origins but that obscurity didn’t stop Alexander L. White from seeing the potential as a retriever that the dog had.
During that time, many hunters were facing a problem with traditional retrievers since the marshes in the area only afforded hunters to navigate them with wooden boats. Large retrievers were much too big for the boats alongside all the additional gear and men that would go out to hunt. This lead many hunters towards trying to produce a lighter and smaller retriever that could produce the same results that their larger counterparts could.
A main breeder in this effort was L. W. “Whit” Boykin (1861-1932), to whom Dumpy was given after Alexander L. White realized the ability the dog had. From there, Dumpy became the foundation dog for the Boykin Spaniel. Other breeds, including the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Cocker Spaniel, American Water Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel were introduced into Dumpy’s line to produce a small versatile gundog that performed well both on land and in the water.
The Boykin Spaniel Society was founded in 1977 and the official registry began in 1979 to maintain the pedigree of the Boykin Spaniel. Today, efforts are being made to see the Boykin Spaniel be officially recognized by the AKC in the Sporting group. It has been a part of the Foundation Stock Service with the American Kennel Club since 1997 and has been accepted into the Miscellaneous Class since 2008.
Grouping:
Gun Dog, Miscellaneous Class
Recognition:
BSCBAA, FCI, UKC, NKC, CKC, APRI, BSS, ACR
For more info on the Boykin Spaniel