Boykin Spaniel
The Boykin Spaniel is a medium-sized breed of dog, a Spaniel bred for hunting wild turkeys in the Wateree River Swamp of South Carolina, in the United States. It is the state dog of South Carolina.
The Boykin Spaniel is a friendly, social dog that does best in a family environment with lots of outdoor activity. It is easily trained and eager to work. It is extremely stable around children and other dogs. They can sometimes be described as energetic with great endurance that lasts throughout the day. They are extremely adaptable to different environments as long as they are given ample opportunity for social interaction and plenty of time to burn off excess energy. This dog is very good with children, and with other dogs. They are not easily angered and tend to be eager to please and friendly. Boykins tend to be eager to please and love their owners, but do love attention. Boykins have great energy reserves and will always outlast you in any activity you choose.
The Boykin Spaniel is slightly larger than the English Cocker Spaniel but much heavier through the body width. Height at the withers for males ranges from 15.5 - 18 ins (39.4 - 45.7 cm) and weight 30 - 40 lbs (13.6 - 18.2 kg). Females are smaller, 12.5 - 16 ins (35.6 - 40.6 cm) and 25 - 35 lbs (11.4 - 15.9 kg). Although against the true form and function of the breed, some field trial breeders are increasing their line's size to be competitive against other retriever breeds. Buyers should be aware of the size and weight in the puppy's pedigree before choosing a breeder if size is a factor in their choice of dog.
Traditionally, its tail is docked at the age of three days, leaving 1/3 length.
Eyes are engaging and bright. The color ranges from brilliant gold to a dark amber. Puppies will have milky bluish-gold to amber eyes until a few months old.
The coat color comes in liver or chocolate (shades of brown.)
This is a southern water spaniel bred to only adapt to the moderate climate of the southeastern USA. Coat length and density vary widely due to the variety of breeds that make up the recent background of this breed. Any coat type is acceptable, with some being almost curly like an American Water Spaniel to some with very straight fur like a Field Spaniel. Length is normally 1-2 inches throughout the body. A few bloodlines throw shorter, straight coats much like a Labrador. Feathering on the ears, chest, through the tuck-up and along the legs can be very little to moderate in density and length. Feathering may take on a sun-bleached golden to tawny color especially on the ears and should not be penalized.
Groomed dogs should have a minimal of stripping or clipping, with slight shaping around the head and topline. Some individuals have a topknot like a Llewllin Setter. Field types are often shaved down and should not be penalized as long as it is of appropriate length to protect the skin. Improper shaving will result in some coats growing back in with excessive discoloration, fading or graying.
White markings other than a mark on the chest, or a white mark on the chest that is more than 60% of the width of the chest, disqualify puppies from being registered with the Boykin Spaniel Society,[1] although the American Kennel Club and United Kennel CLub do not allow denial of registration for conformation reasons.[2] White on the toes or chest is purely a cosmetic trait and will not affect the ability or health of the dog.
As with all dogs, the Boykin Spaniels require daily exercise and regular grooming. Clipping the coat regularly is recommended especially if the dog is in the field, as the soft coat collects foxtails and briars. Spraying the dog with cooking spray is also recommended to help defend against tangles in the long fur.
The breed of Boykin Spaniel descends from hunting dogs bred in the early 20th century as a gun dog in South Carolina, U.S.A. The dogs had to be small enough to ride in the small boats used by hunters in the swamps. L. Whitaker Boykin (1861–1932) experimented with crossbreeding different breeds, and the resulting dog is named after him.Legend has it that Boykin started his breeding program with a dog of unknown heritage named "Dumpy", found on the street by a friend of Boykin's. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, and the American Water Spaniel may have been used in the development of the breed.[4] The area in which the breed developed, around Camden, South Carolina, was a resort area, and the breed was noticed by visitors and so spread around the United States.[5]
The Boykin Spaniel Society was formed in 1977 and began maintaining a studbook in 1979. The BSS studbook has been "closed" since 1982, meaning that only dogs from BSS registered parents may be registered with the BSS.
The Boykin Spaniel was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1985.UKC does not close its studbooks so dogs from the BSS or the AKC may be registered into the UKC studbook at any time.
Boykin Spaniels share many of the health problems seen in other spaniel and retriever breeds.
Boykin Spaniels have a 37% chance of being born with hip dysplasia, according to 2006 statistics. Puppies can be checked by a local veterinarian for this problem at the age of 2 years old by an Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) x-ray or as young as 4 months old by a PennHIP exam. All breeding stock should receive either a passing PennHIP evaluation or an OFA certification prior to being bred.
The breed also has a high incidence of eye problems and patella luxation. Skin and coat problems do exist and may be linked to thyroid or endocrine disorders. Isolated incidences in individuals and litters for heart and elbow problems have been disagnosed.
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