Boykin Spaniel Dogs

Breed: Gun dog

Height: Male: 15.5-18 inches, Female: 12.5-16 inches

Weight: Male: 30-40 lbs, Female: 25-35 lbs

Coat Type: Flat, wavy or very curly

 

Boykin Spaniel belongs to the spaniel dog family. It is a medium-sized dog that was initially bred for hunting wild turkeys in the Wateree River Swamp of South Carolina, in the United States. Boykin Spaniel is even the state dog of South Carolina. Its stamina in hot weather and eagerness for hunting makes it an excellent dog for dove and pheasant hunts and other upland games. Since the dog is small in size, it is easier to be carried in a canoe and other small boats and is often described as “the dog that doesn’t rock the boat”. It serves as an affectionate pet that loves to be with people and other animals. Read through the following lines to know more about the Boykin Spaniel dog breed.

 

The Boykin Spaniel was bred from two stray dogs found in South Carolina, towards the turn of 20^th century. The first dog, a small brown spaniel, was found by Alexander White in the street after church. He took the dog home and gave it to friend and hunting partner L. Whitaker Boykin. He named the dog “Dumpy” and bred him to another stray female brown spaniel. The resulting Boykin Spaniels were crossed with American Water Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Pointers, Cocker Spaniels and other breeds to produce a hardy and enthusiastic hunting and companion dog. The Boykin Spaniel society was formed in 1977, where the breed was approved. The breed was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 2008.

 

The tidy middle-sized Boykin Spaniel conveys an air of balance, endurance and agility. It has a spaniel-shaped head with a positive break. The brown, wide set, trusting eyes express alertness and intelligence. The ears are pendulous and hang close to the cheeks. The dog has a moderately long and muscular neck, while the back is straight and level. The tail is docked and carried horizontally or slightly up, while hunting. The coat color is solid liver, brown or dark chocolate. A small patch of white on the chest or toes can often be found. The dog has a wide variety of coat textures, ranging from smooth to long and curly.

 

Boykin Spaniel dog is an intelligent, docile, pleasant, obedient and loyal companion. It enjoys water and is a fantastic swimmer. It is known to be a versatile hunter, due to its fine nose and enthusiasm in the field. It has exceptionally good nose and can head off to an excursion if left to roam on its own. The dog is trainable and loves work. Boykin Spaniel is a friendly and social dog that does best in a family environment, with lots of outdoor activities.

 

A Boykin Spaniel is most commonly prone to hip dysplasia, ear infections and eye problems such as cataracts. Few of the dogs can complain of heart and skin problems too. Other health problems include patellar luxation, elbow dysplasia, sometimes under-bite jaw.

 

Boykin Spaniels require regular grooming. The coat should be regularly clipped if they are in the field, since the soft coat tends to collect foxtails briars. They should be sprayed with cooking spray to defend against tangles in the long fur.