Boykin Spaniel

The Boykin Spaniel was bred in the early 1900s in South Carolina. Boykin Spaniels are gun dogs that are used for flushing out or retrieving waterfowl and wild turkeys from the state’s swampy terrain. They are very strong swimmers. In addition to making a great companion as a hunting dog, the Boykin Spaniel can also make an excellent family pet. They are very eager to please and loving. Their coat is typically one of two colors: dark chocolate brown or reddish brown. Boykin Spaniels are also the official state dog of South Carolina.

Quick Facts

Origin and History

The Boykin Spaniel is a breed of dog that was developed during the 20th century. It is named after the small community of Boykin in South Carolina, which was named after the Boykin family, early settlers in the area. Whit Boykin, a member of this family, played a key role in developing the breed. According to the origin story of the Boykin Spaniel, around 1900, a man named Alexander White found a small brown spaniel outside a church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and named him Dumpy. White took Dumpy hunting with his other retrievers and was pleased to find that Dumpy had excellent instincts for water retrieves and was able to compete with the pedigreed bird dogs.

White took Dumpy to be trained by local expert Whit Boykin, who was well-renowned for his work with dogs. Dumpy proved to be a competent hunter for both ducks and turkeys. Boykin then used Dumpy as the foundation of his breeding program, reportedly crossing him with other retrievers and spaniels such as American Water Spaniels, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, English Springer Spaniels, and Cocker Spaniels, though the exact breeds used are not definitively documented. The result was the Boykin Spaniel, a compact retriever with webbed feet, stamina in water, and a gentle disposition at home.

Sportsmen in the swampy areas of Carolina were captivated by the breed’s enthusiasm, adaptability, and smooth movement. For a long time, the Boykin was only known in the area in which it was bred. Finally, however, bird hunters across the nation began to recognize the breed’s potential, particularly in East Coast locations. This success was due to the breed’s high energy when hunting, its capacity to operate on land or water, and its gentle and loving temperament at home.

South Carolinians proudly recognize the Boykin Spaniel as their official state dog, and they celebrate September 1st as Boykin Spaniel Day. The AKC officially recognized this breed in 2009, making it one of the few “all-American” dog breeds.

Size and Appearance

Boykin Spaniels are a medium-sized, athletic dog breed with a sturdy build. Males typically weigh between 30 and 40 pounds and are between 15.5 and 18 inches tall. Females are just a little smaller than males. They weigh between 25 and 35 pounds and are between 14 and 16.5 inches tall.

They excel in wet environments, with their wavy, medium-length double coat that is water-resistant. The coat are typically dark chocolate brown or reddish brown. Furthermore, they have a distinctly spaniel-like charm with their floppy ears, feathered legs, and soulful eyes.

Temperament and Behavior

These Spaniels were bred for hunting, so they are very active dogs. However, in addition to making a great companion out in the field for a hunt, this breed has many personality traits that can also make it a great family dog. They are very friendly, affectionate, and have a social nature. They are also very easy to please. They love being part of the family and typically do well with children, strangers, and other dogs

However, these Spaniels have a high need for activity, mental stimulation and strong prey drive. If you aren’t able to meet these needs, they may engage in less-than-desirable behaviors. Boykin Spaniels are not ideal watchdogs — they are too friendly with strangers to be intimidating.

Lifespan and Health

On average, Boykin Spaniels live for 10 to 15 years. Many of the health conditions that affect these Spaniels are inherited, so it is important to purchase a Boykin Spaniel from a reputable breeder that test for these issues before breeding.

Common Health Issues

Care and Maintenance

Keep in mind that every dog breed is unique, so caring for these Spaniels will be different from caring for another breed. When planning to care for this breed, keep in mind their health concerns, temperament, nutritional needs, and other unique and important characteristics.

Grooming

These Spaniels are relatively easy to groom and maintain. They have wavy coats with medium-length hairs that are reddish brown or dark brown colors. If you keep up with brushing their coat about once a week, it will keep the shedding at bay and reduce the amount of hair that they leave around your home. Brushing your Spaniel regularly will also help keep him cleaner by removing dirt from his coat.

In addition to brushing a Boykin Spaniel to control their shedding, you will also need to brush his teeth to prevent plaque and tartar from building up. This dog’s nails should also be trimmed regularly to keep them from getting too long and hurting the dog when he walks.

Exercise Needs

These Spaniels are best suited for active owners. They were bred as hunting dogs but also enjoy activities such as running or hiking. They need at least 1–2 hours of daily exercise. Boykin Spaniels will also enjoy playing in a large fenced-in backyard with their family. They also need some mental stimulation through training, hunting, agility, or tracking activities. They may become bored and destructive without enough activity.

Training

These Spaniels are easy to train. They are an eager-to-please dog breed and are very intelligent. These two traits will help you teach your dog to follow commands and act appropriately. It is best to begin training them as early as possible. Socializing them from an early age can also help them learn how to interact with other dogs and people. Since they are active and so easy to train, this breed also does well in tracking, agility, and field events.

Diet and Nutrition

Whether you are selecting food for an adult Spaniel or a puppy, you should always look for a high-quality and nutritious option from a reputable manufacturer. Making sure your Spaniel receives the nutrients he needs is essential for long-term health. These Spaniels should eat food that contains sufficient quantities of fat and protein. Opt for foods that have higher percentages of meat protein rather than plant proteins since these will be easier to digest.

When choosing a food for a puppy, look for options that include DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid. This can help foster healthy brain and eye development in the puppies.

Most Boykin Spaniels do best when they are fed about two times each day. You should portion the total recommended amount of food into two equal portions. Puppies have a smaller stomach and should eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. If you are unsure how much food your dog should be eating, you can look at the feeding guidelines on the bag or check with their veterinarian. The correct amount of food will be different for each dog based on their age, health, activity level, and other factors.

Boykin Spaniels and Families

Overall, these Spaniels can make excellent family dogs. This breed is very friendly and loving. They also can adapt well to different environments. For best results, socializing them and training them from an early age will help ensure they engage in appropriate interactions with children.

Even though these Spaniels are good with kids, it is always a good idea to supervise any dog around children to prevent anything from happening to the dog or child. Their friendly nature means they are not protective guard dogs, but they make excellent playmates and loyal family pets.

Puppies

Before buying a Boykin Spaniel from a breeder, it will be important to talk to the breeder to learn more about the puppy. You should ask to see the health histories of the parents to make sure they didn’t have any inheritable conditions that could be passed onto your dog.

Different Boykin Spaniels can have very different personalities. If possible, try to spend some time with some different puppies to see which one seems like the best fit for your family.

Before bringing home your new puppy, be sure to puppy-proof your home. You will also want to purchase puppy food, a crate, a dog bed, a leash and collar, toys, and other supplies your new dog will need. This will make sure you’re completely prepared for their arrival and will help you enjoy your time together.

Similar Breeds

English Cocker Spaniels, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and American Water Spaniels are three dog breeds that are similar to these Spaniels.

• English Cocker Spaniel: English Cocker Spaniels are one of the breeds that were mixed to create these Spaniels. Both of these dogs are gun dogs with feathered coats. They are both around the same size, too, with the average weight of a male English Cocker Spaniel being 31 pounds and the average weight of a male Boykin being 32.5 pounds. An English Cocker Spaniel’s coat can be a variety of colors, including roan, tan, black, or golden. Boykin Spaniels have coats that are solid liver (dark brown) or rich chocolate, though some may have small white markings on the chest or toes.
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever: Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Boykin Spaniels are both known for their swimming abilities and for being able to flush out waterfowl when hunting. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are larger than Boykin Spaniels, though. The average weight of a male Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 72.5 pounds compared to the 32.5 pounds that male Boykin weighs on average.
• American Water Spaniel: American Water Spaniels and Boykin Spaniels are both affectionate and social dogs. They both are friendly, even with strangers. Both dogs have a brown coat, but an American Water Spaniel’s coat is curly, whereas a Boykin has a feathered coat.

Famous Boykin Spaniels

The breed remains most famous for being South Carolina’s state dog and its role as a beloved hunting companion.