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The Boykin Spaniel is a medium sized gun dog popular in the Southern United States among bird hunters. His fine nose and enthusiasm in the field make him a versatile hunter. In addition, the Boykin Spaniel is also a very obedient dog and is easy to train. The Boykin Spaniel is docile, pleasant and obedient and makes a fine family dog.

The Boykin Spaniel is a very lively dog and needs daily exercise. Regular brushing is necessary to keep their long coat from getting matted.

Appearance of the Boykin Spaniel

Weight: 25 - 40 pounds
Height: 15 -18 inches
Life expectancy: 14 -16 years

The Boykin Spaniel bears a strong resemblance to the English Cocker Spaniel, but is larger and better suited for warm climates. The Boykin Spaniel’s ears are smaller than those of the Cocker Spaniel, and higher set. The tail is docked. The Boykin Spaniel is known for its trademark yellow/amber eyes.

The waterproof coat is liver or brown in color and is normally wavy or curly, but some dogs have a smooth coat. Smooth and curly coats both require brushing every few days to avoid matting. Dogs that spend a lot of time in water must have special attention paid to keep their ears dry to prevent infection.

Use of the Boykin Spaniel in the Field

The Boykin Spaniel is a natural hunting dog that works as a robust retriever of upland birds as well as water fowl. It has a very good nose, and is naturally able to quarter and flush game. Because it is intelligent and agile, the Boykin Spaniel is adaptable for numerous types of hunting.

This breed loves water and is known as the dog “that doesn’t rock the boat,” because it has a strong sense of balance. It is ideal for use in small boats and canoes. In warm water, the Boykin Spaniel is a fantastic swimmer ideal for duck hunting. They are popular for use in the south, but can be a diligent hunting companion in the north with proper cold weather precautions.

The Boykin Spaniel at Home

The Boykin Spaniel can get along well with members of the family and are good companions for the home. A sociable dog, they prefer to be in a family environment. They are a very willing, intensely energetic dog that needs adequate exercise to burn off energy. They will happily substitute ball retrieving for bird retrieving.

The Boykin Spaniel will do okay in an apartment if they are adequately exercised, but they will find ways to entertain themselves and can be very destructive when bored.

History of the Boykin Spaniel

The Boykin Spaniel is named after its developer, Whit Boykin of South Carolina. In the early 1900s he received a single stray dog that had a wonderful bird sense. This dog was bred with a stray female. The Boykin Spaniel breed has evolved from this one dog, with local hunters crossing the offspring to American Water Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Pointers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

The Boykin Spaniel is not yet fully recognized by the AKC, but is allowed to participate in many events.