Breeders | Profile | Rescue | Clubs | Photos | Graphics
Boykin Spaniel Information
The Boykin Spaniel was first bred by South Carolina hunters during the 1900's. Their desire was to create the ideal dog for hunting ducks and wild turkeys in the Wateree River Swamp. They needed a fairly small, rugged dog that was compactly built for boat travel and able to retrieve on land as well as water.
L. W. "Whit" Boykin, along with his family, experimented with many breeds to resolve the problems posed by their Wateree hunting trips. With selective breeding and a little luck, Boykin developed a small multipurpose retriever now known as the Boykin spaniel.
The first Boykin spaniel was reportedly a small, stray spaniel type dog that befriended a banker walking from his home to the First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina around 1905-1910. Alexander L. White liked the little dog and took it home. After the dog showed some aptitude for retrieving, White sent the dog called "Dumpy" to his longtime friend and hunting partner Whit Boykin. In Boykin's hands the little stray developed into a superb turkey dog and waterfowl retriever. This dog became the foundation stock for the Boykin spaniel. Other ancestors are reported to be the Chesapeake Bay retriever, Springer spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, and the American Water Spaniel.
There are still parts of the country where people are not at all familiar with this breed, however in the southern regions, they are pretty much a household name with those interested in hunting.
They're fairly small dogs, males standing at 15.5 to 18 inches tall,weighing 30 - 40 pounds, females are generally smaller at 14 - 16.5 inches tall and 25-35 pounds.
As for grooming, there is no one set way as it comes down to personal preference. Some owners like to clip their dogs all the way down, all over so that the dog looks smooth coated. Others prefer to leave the feathers on the legs, ears and belly. Still others just like to brush the coats and leave them natural.
Health concerns in the breed include Hip Dysplasia, eye problems, and skin allergies.
Ad rate is $15 per month.
Build Your Ad Today!
