Type the name of the breed you're looking for below
[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!
Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic
[fbcomments]
Boykin Spaniel
| Other Names | Boykin, Swamp Poodle |
| Nicknames | LBD (Little Brown Dog) |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Weight | 25 - 40 lbs. (11 - 18 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 15 - 18 in. (38 - 46 cm) |
| Coat | The waterproof coat is rather wavy or curly, but a smooth coat is acceptable (hunters care more about the dog’s hunting abilities than its coat type). |
| Colour | Colour is liver or brown. |
| Litter Size | 5 - 7 puppies |
| Life Span | 14-16 years |
| Origin & History | The official state dog of South Carolina, the Boykin Spaniel boasts that status of being the only dog originally bred for South Carolina hunters by South Carolinians. His exact lineage is however, uncertain but the Boykin Spaniel is truly a modern breed of dog, with an equally modern story. In the early 1900s, Alexander L. White was walking home from the First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina and encountered a stray dog. Taking a liking to the dog, White brought it home with him and named it “Dumpy”, no doubt for the original appearance of the dog. After Dumpy showed an aptitude for retrieving, White sent him to his long-time friend and hunting partner L.W. “Whit” Boykin for training. Dumpy, in the hands of Boykin (a well-known sportsman) developed into a superb turkey dog and waterfowl retriever. Boykin and his kinsmen, the Canteys, began experimenting with many other breeds to develop a gun dog bred specifically to meet the needs of the men hunting in and around the Wateree River in South Carolina. With a little selective breeding and some luck, the unknown stray Spaniel known as “Dumpy” became the foundation for the Boykin Spaniel breed, named for its developer. At this time in the American South, trains, wagons, and boats gave hunters access to corridors rich with game along the Wateree River. However, boat travel limited what equipment the hunters could bring and the typical large, heavyweight Retriever was a liability on a boat already overloaded with hunters, guns, equipment, and supplies. Being that “section boats” were easily broken down for travel, they were used commonly by these hunters, making the need for a more compact dog who was skilled in land and water retrieval ever present. Being small in stature and of Spaniel origins, The Boykin was bred to meet those needs. While it is unknown the exact lineage of the Boykin Spaniel, it is reported that some of the Boykin’s ancestry lies with the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Cocker Spaniel, the Springer Spaniel, and the American Water Spaniel. Retaining its Spaniel flushing abilities, the newly developed Boykin Spaniel, whose compact size allowed it to be carried in boats or canoes, its stamina in hot weather, and aptitude for water retrieving became especially popular among hunters who operated in shallow rivers and swamps. The games of choice for these hunters being dove, pheasant, quail and grouse, which were a good retrieving size for the Boykin Spaniel. Once it was discovered that the Boykin Spaniel was adept in deer driving and in tracking wounded deer as well, the Boykin became more popular with sportsmen who hunted other game in addition to birds and waterfowl. Like many of the sporting breeds, Boykin Spaniels made the transition from hunting dog to family pet easily, making it a true dual-purpose breed. Of the Boykin Spaniel, it has been written that… “The Boykin Spaniel carries a unique set of credentials that no other breed of canine can honestly claim…He was developed initially as the ideal dog for hunting wild turkeys in the Wateree River Swamp during the early 1900’s and now beautifully adapts to the dove fields, the duck marshes and the home fires of his modern-day masters. Most Boykin Spaniels have a special personality and enthusiastic field ability that no other dog can match.” The area where the Boykin spaniel was developed, around Camden, South Carolina, in the 1900’s, was a resort area. Visitors to that area, on a hunting excursion, were occasionally provided a Boykin Spaniel to accompany them. These travelers saw the Boykin’s abilities and skill. They began to appreciate the dog’s attributes. This added to the popularity of the breed and a desire to acquire this “little brown dog” led to the spread of the Boykin Spaniel throughout the United States. The highest concentration of Boykin Spaniels remains, however, on the Atlantic seaboard. The Boykin Spaniel, the little brown retriever known as “the dog that doesn’t rock the boat”, could be found on hunts across America. For the next several decades, the skills of this little hunting retriever would continue to be developed, and perfected; and in the summer of 1977, in Camden, South Carolina, the Boykin Spaniel Society was founded. It began maintaining its stud book in 1979. Within year one of its inception, The Boykin Spaniel Society acquired three hundred members from twenty-five different states. The Boykin Spaniel Society’s first National Hunting Test was held in May of 1980. They compete regularly in sanctioned hunting trials hosted by the North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA) and the Hunting Retriever Club, INC. (HRC). Objectives of The Boykin Spaniel Society are: 1.To maintain a studbook; records of all registered Boykin Spaniels, known as The Boykin Spaniel Registry. 2.To promote breed standards; to promote the breeding of purebred Boykins and to do all that is possible to “perpetuate their natural hunting ability”. 3. Through the encouragement of sportsman like competition, to protect and advance the interests of the breed. In 1982, the Carolina Boykin Spaniel Retriever Club was founded. In South Carolina, National Hunting Tests are held each spring, and the Carolina Boykin Spaniel Retriever Club holds six hunting tests a year, as well as providing training, seminars, and judging clinics regularly. The objectives of The Carolina Boykin Spaniel Retriever Club were not unlike those of The Boykin Spaniel Society, but are listed as: 1.Encourage and promote the breeding of purebred Boykin Spaniel Retrievers, doing all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.Encourage the use of trained Boykin Spaniel Retrievers while hunting, thereby preserving game. 2.Protect and advance the interest of the Boykin Spaniel Retriever breed by encouraging sportsman like competition at hunting tests. In 1984, Governor Richard W. Riley proclaimed the first day of dove hunting season to be Boykin Spaniel Day. And in that same year, The South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Commission endorsed the Boykin Spaniel as state dog of South Carolina, to which, Governor Riley made the title official on March 26, 1985. Recognition by the United Kennel Club followed in 1985, as well as recognition by several minor kennel clubs. They were promoted as a “rare breed”. And the 1988-1989 South Carolina state duck stamp would feature a painting by artist Jim Killen, depicting the Boykin Spaniel. As the popularity of the Boykin Spaniel grew, other Boykin clubs were founded. They include The Midsouth Boykin Spaniel Retriever Club; made up of Boykin Spaniel owners living in Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee; as well as the Dang Yankee Boykin Spaniel Club (DYBSC). Dedicated to the advancement and promotion of the Boykin Spaniel breed in the Northeastern United States, the DYBSC was formed by Boykin owners living in New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The core tenants of the DYBSC being a focus on the uniqueness of the breed both in training and in competition, a mind for responsible breeding, and health screening practices, and an overall sense or responsibility to one of the world’s finest hunting dogs. However, because of breeding standard discrepancies with the AKC, The Boykin Spaniel Society remained the main registry for the Boykin Spaniel. Of any association or recognition with the AKC, The Boykin Spaniel Society made this statement: “The Boykin Spaniel Society has not worked to have the breed recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and has instead maintained its own registry of purebred Boykin Spaniels. The founding members of the Boykin Spaniel Society and its leadership and membership have seen no benefit that would be derived of any affiliation with the American Kennel Club. The current leadership still agrees with this position and continues to work to promote the Boykin Spaniel within the guidelines and objectives as set forth in the Boykin Spaniel Society constitution.” But in the late 1990s a group of Boykin Spaniel enthusiasts formed the Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America (BSCBAA), the first Boykin Spaniel organization to maintain a code of ethics. Its purpose was to help the Boykin Spaniel achieve AKC recognition. In 2006 the AKC felt that enough progress with the Boykin Spaniel breed had been made by the BSCBAA and the Boykin Spaniel became eligible to compete in AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests, for official AKC titles; as well as became eligible to compete in AKC agility, tracking, and obedience trials. In January of 2007, the AKC recognized the BSCBAA as the official parent club for the breed. In 2008, the BSCBAA’s efforts were rewarded and the AKC voted to have the Boykin spaniel included in its Miscellaneous Group. Then in 2009 the Boykin Spaniel was moved into the Sporting Group and later that year, officially became a recognized AKC breed. Although originally an American dog, the Boykin Spaniel’s popularity is now widespread. The Boykin Spaniel Society membership has grown to 2500 members; these hailing from across the United States, as well as from Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. |
| Personality | Docile, pleasant and obedient, an intelligent and loyal companion, Its trademark yellow/amber eyes that stare expectantly into your eyes are often commented upon as if the dog is asking, “What do you want me to do next?” The Boykin Spaniel is a fantastic swimmer. They enjoy water and swimming; however they are prone to Spaniel ear infections and should be dried well after getting wet. Most owners report that each of these dogs has a unique personality and an enthusiastic field ability seldom matched by other dogs. His fine nose and enthusiasm in the field make him a versatile hunter. They have been bred as hunting Spaniels and have exceptionally good noses. Their sense of smell can lead them on an excursion if allowed to roam off-lead. This dog needs an owner who displays natural leadership consistently communicating with the dog what is expected of him and what is not. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The average life span for the Boykin Spaniel is anywhere from 14 to 16 years. Because of their diverse genetic background, the Boykin Spaniel shares many of the health problems seen in other Spaniel and Retriever breeds, especially Hip Dysplasia. According to 2006 statistics provided by the Boykin Spaniel Society, 37% of Boykin Spaniel puppies have a chance of being born with Hip Dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, in its evaluation of 157 canine breeds (data collected between 1974 and 2009), Boykin Spaniel is ranked thirteenth worst for Hip Dysplasia. The University of Minnesota, in 2010, (in conjunction with the AKC health group) positively identified Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) as commonly seen in the Boykin Spaniels breed. The Boykin Spaniel Society conducted a further study on EIC. Their results showed 56% of the Boykin Spaniels studied tested positive for two copies of the gene causing EIC. This is a shockingly high statistic and is the highest incidence of the genes in any breed currently undergoing testing for the condition. |
| Grooming | Requires brushing every few days to avoid coat matting. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Exercise | The Boykin Spaniel is a working dog and needs a lot of daily exercise, including a long, brisk daily walk, where the dog is heeling beside or behind you; never in front, as in a dog’s mind, pack leader goes first. They have a high drive and are very willing. This is an intensely energetic dog that needs adequate exercise and a “job” to do daily to burn off energy and exercise its very nimble mind. They will find ways to entertain themselves if not provided by their owner and can be very destructive when bored or when their primal instinct to walk has not been fulfilled. |
| Other Considerations | The Boykin Spaniel will do okay in an apartment if it is adequately exercised. A small yard is sufficient. |
