Boykin Spaniel

Canis lupus

Last updated: February 3, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Cynthia Davison/Shutterstock.com

Enthusiastic working dog!


Advertisement


Boykin Spaniel Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Boykin Spaniel Conservation Status

Boykin Spaniel Locations

Boykin Spaniel Locations

Boykin Spaniel Facts

Temperament
Eager to please, friendly, loving
Training
Should be trained from an early in obedience
Diet
Omnivore
Average Litter Size
6
Common Name
Boykin Spaniel
Slogan
Enthusiastic working dog!
Group
Gun Dog

Boykin Spaniel Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Dark Brown
  • Chocolate
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
10 to 15 years

Boykin Spaniel as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Low
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
High
Pure bred cost to own
$800 to $4,000
Dog group
Sporting
Male weight
30-40 lbs
Female weight
25-35 lbs

This post may contain affiliate links to our partners like Chewy, Amazon, and others. Purchasing through these helps us further the A-Z Animals mission to educate about the world's species.

View all of the Boykin Spaniel images!



Share on:

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.

The Boykin Spaniel was bred in the early 1900s in South Carolina. Whit Boykin, a local expert on dogs and breeding, modeled the breed after a small brown spaniel that had been found in Spartanburg, South Carolina. When creating this Spaniel, Whit Boykin crossed a variety of breeds, including Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, American Water Spaniels, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

See all of our expert product reviews.

Boykin Spaniels are hunting dogs that are used for flushing out or retrieving waterfowl. They are very strong swimmers. Their coat is typically one of two colors: dark chocolate brown or reddish brown.

Boykin Spaniel infographic

Owning a Boykin Spaniel: 3 Pros and Cons

Pros!Cons!
Easy to train: These Spaniels are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train.Shedding: Boykin Spaniels are relatively heavy shedders and will leave a good amount of hair around your home if they aren’t brushed regularly.
Family-friendly: This breed is a very family-friendly dog. Boykin Spaniels can make good companions for children.High energy: Boykin Spaniels have a lot of energy and will need a good amount of exercise every day.
Social: Boykin Spaniels are social and are generally friendly with strangers.Not a good watchdog: If you are looking for a watchdog, a Boykin Spaniel will not be a good choice. They are too friendly with strangers to make a good watchdog.
Boykin Spaniel retrieving

©Boykinspanieling / CC BY-SA 4.0 – License

History and Origins

The Boykin Spaniel is a breed of dog that was developed during the 20th century. It is named after a small town in South Carolina, which had a population of about 100 people, and was called Boykin after one of its founders, Lemuel Whitaker “Whit” Boykin. 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 centerpiece of his breeding program, adding in other breeds of retrievers and spaniels. This eventually led to the creation of the Boykin Spaniel, an energetic gun dog.

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.

Health and Entertainment for your Boykin Spaniel

See all of our expert product reviews.

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

Boykin Spaniel Looking in Green Grass

The Boykin spaniel was bred in South Carolina and is the official state dog of the state.

©Cynthia Davison/Shutterstock.com

Size and Weight

Boykin Spaniels are a medium-sized dog breed. 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.

MaleFemale
Height15.5 inches to 18 inches14 inches to 16.5 inches
Weight30 pounds to 40 pounds25 to 35 pounds
Mature Boykin Spaniel

Boykin spaniels weigh between 25 and 40 pounds.

©Flatscaster – Public Domain

Common Health Issues

Before bringing home one of these spaniels, there are a few health concerns you should be aware of. Not all Boykin Spaniels will develop these problems, but being aware of them will help you to properly care for your dog and seek help from a veterinarian when needed. Many of the health conditions that affect these Spaniels are inherited, so it is important to purchase a Boykin Spaniel from a reputable breeder.

Hip dysplasia is one common concern with these Spaniels. This is an inherited condition in which the thighbone does not connect properly with the hip bone. This causes the two bones to rub together, which can be painful and may cause a dog to begin limping.

Another health concern to be aware is degenerative myelopathy. This is a progressive disease in a Boykin Spaniel’s spinal cord that is comparable to ALS. Dogs typically aren’t affected until they are over seven years old. However, you can determine whether your dog will develop degenerative myelopathy when they get older by having a DNA swab done.

Some of these Spaniels may also suffer from exercise-induced collapse. This condition can cause Boykin Spaniels to suffer from a life-threatening collapse of their muscles when they are engaged in strenuous exercise. Dogs that are affected by this condition should not take place in more intense training but should be able to live a happy life as a pet. There is also a DNA test that can be performed to see if your dog is affected by this disorder.

To sum up, here are three main health concerns that may impact these Spaniels:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • Exercise-induced collapse
Boykin Spaniel Happy Face

Boykin spaniels suffer from very few health problems but can develop hip dysplasia.

©Cynthia Davison/Shutterstock.com

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 and affectionate. They are also very easy to please. Boykin Spaniels love getting attention from their family members.

However, these Spaniels have a high need for activity and mental stimulation. If you aren’t able to meet these needs, they may engage in less-than-desirable behaviors.

How to Take Care of a Boykin Spaniel

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.

The Best Dog Food

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.

At A-Z Animals, our choice of the best dog food for Boykin Spaniels is Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food.

Made with hearty chicken plus prebiotics, probiotics, fiber, and digestive enzymes, this food is made to care for your dog’s gut to ensure maximum nutrient absorption and immunity. Plus, it contains crucial glucosamine to promote the formation and maintenance of strong, since Boykin Spaniels can have hip dysplasia.

You can get Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food on Chewy or Amazon.

Best for Digestion and Gut Health
Holistic Select Adult Health Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe
  • Chicken and brown rice recipe
  • Promotes balanced nutrition, immune health, and regularity
  • Contains probiotics, prebiotics, antioxidants, and dietary fiber
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance and 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.

Training

These Spaniels are easy to train. They are an eager-to-please dog breed and are very intelligent. These two trails 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.

boykin spaniel puppy

Boykin spaniel puppies are a joy to train and can learn many tricks.

©Zadranka/Shutterstock.com

Exercise

These Spaniels are best suited for active owners. They were bred as hunting dogs but also enjoy activities such as running or hiking. Boykin Spaniels will also enjoy playing in a large fenced-in backyard with their family. Since they are active and so easy to train, this breed also does well in tracking, agility, and field events.

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.

Boykin Spaniel puppy lying in grass

Boykin spaniel puppies are easy to train and eager to please.

©Zadranka/Shutterstock.com

Boykin Spaniels and Children

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.

Dogs similar to Boykin Spaniel

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 all have brown coats.
  • 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

There aren’t too many recorded famous Boykin Spaniels. However, famous actor Tom Selleck has one of these Spaniels.

These Spaniels are great pets. Finding the right name for your dog is also important. Read through the list below to find some inspiration for your special pup.

  • Jake
  • Max
  • Buddy
  • Nipper
  • Cody
  • Jett
  • Foxy
  • Sassy
  • Sheba
  • Princess

View all 285 animals that start with B

Share on:
What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?
About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

Boykin Spaniel FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is a Boykin Spaniel?

Boykin spaniels are a relatively new dog breed that was bred in the early 1900s in South Carolina. Whit Boykin crossed Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, and American Water Spaniels to create this breed. They were bred to flush out and retrieve ducks, turkeys, and other birds. Boykin Spaniels are a medium-sized dog breed. Boykin Spaniels are typically one of two colors: reddish-brown or dark chocolate brown. They also have a white spot on their chest.

How much does Boykin Spaniel cost to own?

Buying a Boykin Spaniel from a breeder may cost anywhere between $800 and $4,000. The puppy’s pedigree as well as the breeder’s reputation can have a huge impact on the cost. Adopting a Boykin Spaniel from a rescue organization or a shelter should only cost about $300 to cover the cost for the application and vaccinations.

You will also need to think about how much it will cost to own a Boykin Spaniel. They will need veterinary care, food, a crate, dog beds, toys, leashes, collars, and many other supplies. Since you will need to purchase all of these supplies, the first year of owning a Boykin Spaniel will typically be the most expensive. You should expect to spend at least $1,000. For subsequent years, you should budget between $500 and $1,000 to cover food and other expenses.

Are Boykin Spaniels good with kids?

Yes, Boykin Spaniels are generally good with kids. This breed is loving and social. They enjoy interacting with children and are generally stable around them.

Do Boykin Spaniels shed a lot?

Boykin Spaniels shed a moderate amount. Brushing their coat about once a week can help remove loose hairs and reduce the amount of hair that will be left around your home.

Are Boykin Spaniels good house dogs?

Yes, Boykin Spaniels can make a good house dog, as long as there is sufficient space for them to run off their energy. Since they are a higher-energy breed, they are not well-suited to living in an apartment.

Are Boykin Spaniels easy to potty-train?

Boykin Spaniels are very eager to please, which can make them easier to train. When potty training your new dog, be very consistent. Having a consistent routine will help your dog learn when it is time to use the bathroom and can help speed up the potty-training process.

What is the life expectancy of a Boykin Spaniel?

The life expectancy of a Boykin Spaniel is between 10 and 15 years.

Are Boykin Spaniels herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Boykin Spaniels are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Boykin Spaniels belong to?

Boykin Spaniels belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Boykin Spaniels belong to?

Boykin Spaniels belong to the class Mammalia.

What phylum to Boykin Spaniels belong to?

Boykin Spaniels belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Boykin Spaniels belong to?

Boykin Spaniels belong to the family Canidae.

What order do Boykin Spaniels belong to?

Boykin Spaniels belong to the order Carnivora.

What genus do Boykin Spaniels belong to?

Boykin Spaniels belong to the genus Canis.

What type of covering do Boykin Spaniels have?

Boykin Spaniels are covered in Hair.

How many babies do Boykin Spaniels have?

The average number of babies a Boykin Spaniel has is 6.

What is an interesting fact about Boykin Spaniels?

Boykin Spaniels are enthusiastic working dogs!

What is the scientific name for the Boykin Spaniel?

The scientific name for the Boykin Spaniel is Canis lupus.

What are the differences between American Water Spaniel and Boykin Spaniel?

The greatest differences between an American Water Spaniel and a Boykin Spaniel lie in their appearance, color, temperament, and lifespan.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. American kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boykin-spaniel/
  2. The Boykin Spaniel Society, Available here: https://boykinspaniel.org/pages/puppy-wellness-guide-grooming--training-tips/puppy-buyers-questions
  3. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boykin_Spaniel#Appearance
  4. Animal Care Tips, Available here: https://animalcaretip.com/how-to-potty-train-the-boykin-spaniel/#:~:text=Feeding%2C%20watering%20and%20walking%20your,to%20adapt%20their%20physical%20functions.
  5. Adopt A Pet, Available here: https://www.adoptapet.com/s/adopt-a-boykin-spaniel#:~:text=The%20cost%20to%20adopt%20a,anywhere%20from%20%24800%2D%244%2C000.
  6. The Happy Puppy Site, Available here: https://thehappypuppysite.com/boykin-spaniel/

Newly Added Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.

Most Recently Updated Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.