Boykin Spaniel: the wonderful water hunter who doesn’t tip the boat

A medium sized land and water hunting dog known for its rich, brown coat, the Boykin Spaniel is enthusiastic, happy and well trained. This affectionate and tenacious bird hunter was once South Carolina's best-kept secret.

The Boykin Spaniel medium size, larger and wilder, than the Cocker but more compact, than the Springer. The breed is characterised by its beautiful, solid brown coat. Also bred for work in the lakes and swamps of South Carolina, the Boykin with webbed feet swims almost like a seal. For years, it was known only to hunters of Carolina waterfowl and wild turkeys. Recently, however, the world at large has discovered that the boykin is just as at home on the lake as it is at home in the water. At home, it is cute, friendly, and friendly, but in the field it hunts like a tiger.

History

The Boykin Spaniel was bred by South Carolina hunters in the 1900s to be the ideal dog for hunting ducks and wild turkeys in the Wateree River marshes. Hunters on the Wateree River in South Carolina needed a small, rugged dog with a compact design for navigation and the ability to perform on land and water. At the time, wagons, wooden boats and trains provided hunters with access to the game-rich river corridors. However, the possibilities for transport by boat were limited. The typical heavyweight retriever was at a disadvantage in a watercraft that was already loaded with men, guns, food and other equipment. So a smaller hunting dog was needed that would not upset the boat with its heavy weight and movement, and could fit in among all the equipment.

Boykin is a small South Carolina community of about 100 souls, named after a founding resident, Lemuel Whitaker “Whit” Boykin. The origin story of the Boykin Spaniel is that around 1900, a man named Alexander White found a small brown spaniel outside his church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he was attending worship. White named the young male spaniel Dumpy. The avid sport hunter took Dumpy hunting with his retrievers, and to White’s delight, Dumpy showed great enthusiasm and instinct for retrieving on the water, easily keeping pace with the trained hounds.

He sent White Dumpy for training with fellow hunter Whit Boykin, a community patriarch and the area’s leading canine specialist. Boykin was impressed by the brown spaniel, who proved as adept at stirring and retrieving wild turkeys as he was at duck hunting. Boykin built a new breeding program around Dumpy, using crosses of breeds such as Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Cocker, the English Springer and the American Water Spaniel. The result is the jovial hunting dog we know today as the Boykin Spaniel. Since the breed’s inception, hunters working in the Karolina’s marshlands have been enamored with the Boykin’s intensity, versatility and light, balanced gait. For years, the breed’s popularity was confined to the immediate area of its birth. Eventually, however, they became more widespread, especially on the East Coast. The key to the breed’s success was its unbridled energy in the field, its ability to work on land or on the lake, and its sweet, gentle manners at home.

South Carolinians have made the Boykin Spaniel their official state dog and celebrate September 1 as Boykin Spaniel Day. In 2009, the breed earned full AKC recognition, joining the AKC’s elite body of “all-American” dog breeds. However, the breed is not yet officially recognized by the FCI.

Breed standard

The Boykin Spaniel is a medium sized hunting dog with a compact build. Depending on the sex, he has a height of 35-46 cm and a body weight of about 11-18 kg. The head is proportionate to the body, the eyes radiate confidence and alertness. The skull is fairly broad, flat on top and slightly rounded on the sides and back. The eyes are moderately very almond-shaped. Colour can vary from yellow to amber. Ears drooping, pinnate at eye level. Nose dark liver-coloured, stopper moderate. Neck moderately long, slightly curved. The muzzle is straight and strong. Hindquarters short, erect. Coat may range from straight to slightly wavy to curly. The coat is of medium length, usually without undercoat. Colour ranges from liver to deep reddish brown. A small amount of white on the chest is allowed. Life expectancy is 14-16 years.

Character

A boykin is attached to his family and most people he meets, as long as he has been properly socialised from puppyhood. A well-socialised Boykin will welcome new experiences and is friendly with other dogs. He will also get on well with the family cats if they have been properly socialised. He is alert but friendly enough not to be a guard dog. He only tends to bark when someone approaches the house or hears an unusual noise. It is not often that he is an unpleasant barker. He is intelligent and learns quickly with positive reinforcement techniques. His owner should be firm and consistent so as not to confuse him. If you plan to go hunting with him, you may want to enlist the services of a professional trainer.

Ideal environment

In everything he does, from hunting to playing, the boykin is enthusiastic and energetic. He is best suited to an active family that gives him the exercise and attention he needs to thrive. He loves children if they are raised with him and treated well, but is not typically the dog to patiently put up with a clumsy toddler. Older people who understand how to handle dogs will find him an excellent playmate.

Hunters love the boykin’s all-day endurance and lively nature. These qualities can be put to good use for agility-, the flyball-rally and obedience competitions, and of course in hunting. If you don’t like dog sports but want to keep your boyykin active, take him hiking, on excursions or even boating. After all, it’s designed to fit in small boats and not to mention he loves to swim.

Care

Its coat is easy to maintain with once weekly combing and occasional bathing. To keep your feet clean is very important, as they are difficult to ventilate. It is particularly important that they are always wiped dry. Claws should be trimmed if they become too long.

Common health problems

The most common health problem in the breed is usually hip joint dysplasia, and cataracts. And in some individuals heart problems may also occur.