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Boykin Spaniel breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Boykin Spaniel a medium-sized flushing and retrieving dog in a rich brown coat, avid, eager, merry and trainable, a mellow housedog and tenacious bird dog.
It was once South Carolina's best-kept secret and web-toed Boykin Spaniels swim like seals.
Temperament
A tough, energetic, enthusiastic hunting dog, the Boykin Spaniel is gentle and contented at home, with an affectionate, fiercely loyal personality that is a hallmark of the breed. It thrives on companionship and enjoys children and other dogs.
Lifespan
Boykin Spaniels live 10 to 15 years. Breeders screen for hip dysplasia, juvenile cataracts and exercise-induced collapse.
Ears need checks for infection and cleaning when necessary with soft gauze and an ear-cleaning solution a breeder or veterinarian can recommend.
Care
The medium-length wavy coat needs only minimal maintenance: a weekly brushing removes dirt and loose hair and an occasional bath keeps the dog clean-smelling. Nails should be trimmed regularly because overly long nails cause discomfort.
With moderate to high energy, Boykin Spaniels need lots of exercise every day and do best with active people who want a hiking, running or biking partner.
History
The Boykin Spaniel is among the handful of AKC breeds developed wholly in the 20th century, named for Boykin, a South Carolina community of about 100 people. Around 1900 a man named Alexander White found a little brown spaniel outside his church in Spartanburg and named him Dumpy.
White took Dumpy hunting with his retrievers and to his delight the dog showed great enthusiasm and instinct.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 3 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 3 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |