Many people have trained dogs to be their hunting partners. Various types of spaniels have trudged through muddy banks to flush out ducks and other waterfowl for their owners. The American water spaniel and the Boykin spaniel are two of these types of dogs that have been used as gun dogs in the U.S. However, they tend to look a bit alike. For that reason, we’re going to spend some time telling you all about the differences between an American water spaniel vs. Boykin spaniel. We’ll provide you with five different points of comparison between these animals. When we’re finished, you’ll know several ways that they differ from one another.
Comparing an American Water Spaniel and a Boykin Spaniel
| American Water Spaniel | Boykin Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight: 25 to 45 pounds Height: 15 to 18 inches | Weight: 25 to 40 lbs Height: 14 to 18 inches |
| Appearance and Fur Coat | – Double coat – Coat is very curly or has a marcel coat of wavy fur – Oily fur that helps with insulating the dog when it’s in water – Large and droopy ears covered with long fur – Does not have a docked tail | – Double coat – Somewhat curly fur or flat with a medium length – Not oily – Droopy ears that are covered in strands of feathered, wavy hair that make them seem even longer – Tail is often docked |
| Colors | – Colors include various shades of brown, including chocolate, liver, and solid brown | – Reddish-brown, solid brown, chocolate brown, or liver |
| Temperament | – Slow to mature – Easy to train but requires a lot of instructions at first – Great hunting dogs – Require lots of exercises – Can be very vocal | – Very social dogs – Easy to train – Good with children and other dogs – They make great hunting dogs |
| Life Expectancy | – 10-14 years | – 10-15 years |
The 5 Key Differences Between an American Water Spaniel and a Boykin Spaniel
Boykin Spaniels can have very expressive “eyebrows.”
©Zadranka/Shutterstock.com
The greatest differences between an American water spaniel and a Boykin spaniel lie in their appearance and coloration. The American water spaniel is a chocolate, solid brown, or liver-colored dog with a double coat of oily, curly fur or a marcel coat of wavy fur, long droopy ears, and a tail that is not usually docked. The Boykin spaniel is a reddish-brown, brown, liver, or chocolate-colored dog that has somewhat curly or flat fur of a medium length that is not as oily.
These are the most obvious physical differences between the two dog breeds. However, they are not the only ways that these animals are unique from one another. Let’s take a closer look at their five unique attributes.
American Water Spaniel vs. Boykin Spaniel: Size
On average, the American water spaniel is a larger dog than the Boykin spaniel, but not by much. The American water spaniel weighs between 25 and 45 pounds and stands 15 to 18 inches tall. The Boykin spaniel weighs between 25 and 40 pounds and stands 14 to 18 inches tall. However, the Boykin spaniel is more likely to have a greater size disparity between males and females than the American water spaniel.
American Water Spaniel vs. Boykin Spaniel: Appearance and Coat
The fur coats of the two dogs are different. Both dogs have a double coat of fur, consisting of a coarse outer layer and a softer inner layer. The American water spaniel may have a very curly coat, or a marcel coat, which is wavy fur. It has oily fur that provides a level of insulation since it is frequently in or near the water with owners. Lastly, these dogs have large, droopy ears that have long fur on them. Usually, these dogs do not have docked tails.
The Boykin spaniel has a double coat of curly or flat fur, which is described as medium-length. Their droopy ears are covered in feathered, wavy hair that makes them seem even longer than they already are. Most of the time, these dogs have docked tails in competition.
American Water Spaniel vs. Boykin Spaniel: Colors
Boykin spaniels may have reddish fur that sets them apart from the American water spaniels.
©Flatscaster – Public Domain
The Boykin spaniel integrates reddish colors into its fur, and the American water spaniel generally does not. However, each dog has certain colors. The American water spaniel has shades of brown, from solid brown to dark chocolate colors.
The Boykin spaniel usually can appear solid brown or darker shades like chocolate brown, although they may also have liver and reddish-brown in their fur, giving them a far redder appearance than American water spaniels.
American Water Spaniel vs. Boykin Spaniel: Temperament
The American water spaniel can be a stubborn breed, but the Boykin spaniel is known for being a singularly pleasant animal that is much easier to train.
American water spaniels are known for being slow to mature, easy to train under firm instruction, and very vocal. They are good with families, but they require a great deal of exercise. Also, they need to work off their energy. They are hunting dogs, after all.
The Boykin spaniel is a very social dog that is easy to train. It is known to be great with children and other dogs, but it is also said to be a little too friendly. This dog does not make a good guard animal because it is not confrontational, but it can still be a very useful hunting dog.
American Water Spaniel vs. Boykin Spaniel: Life Expectancy
The American water spaniel has a shorter lifespan on average than the Boykin spaniel.
©User: Ltshears / CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository – Original / License
The life expectancy of an American water spaniel is between 10 and 14 years, so it does not have the same longevity as the Boykin spaniel. The Boykin spaniel lives about 10 to 15 years, so it has a longer life on average but also faces some potential health problems.
Unfortunately, the Boykin spaniel is susceptible to Exercise-Induced Collapse syndrome. When they exercise too long in hot weather, they can collapse or die outright, shortening their lives. However, proper screening can reduce the likelihood that this will harm one’s dog.
The American water spaniel and the Boykin spaniel have a lot in common, but they also have some meaningful differences. We’ve covered five major points of comparison between the breeds, so now you should have some idea of what makes them distinct!
