Boykin Spaniel

The Boykin Spaniel is the product of his native South Carolina, specifically developed to hunt from small boats with little room for the typical large retriever. Hence, the Boykin, one of the smallest of the retrievers and a water dog par excellence. He weighs 25 to 40 pounds and has a wavy or curly coat. The typical Boykin has a friendly, cheerful, inquisitive personality. His medium size makes him a good choice for families with children, as long as he has been brought up with them and the canine and human playmates are supervised. Boykins can decide rather quickly that kids aren’t fun if they have a bad experience with one. Like any sporting breed, the Boykin needs daily exercise. If you’re not a hunter, a long walk will do, as well as any opportunity to swim, but you can also channel his energy into dog sports such as agility and flyball. He’ll love anything that involves getting wet and he’s an excellent choice for boaters, including canoers and kayakers, seeing as how he was developed to hunt from a boat. Some lines can have excessive energy levels or a tendency toward aggression. Begin training and socialization early to ward off problems such as aggression toward unknown dogs. Boykins are smart and respond well to gentle, consistent training techniques. For best results, make training fun, using positive reinforcement techniques such as play, praise and food rewards. Expect to comb and brush this breed’s curly coat two or three times a week. Comb it first to prevent or remove mats and tangles. Do this every time your dog has been outside and picked up burrs or other debris. Use a slicker brush to remove dead hair. You may need to trim the coat every once in a while to give it a neat appearance. Be sure to give him a thorough freshwater rinse after he has been in saltwater or a lake or pond with algae, and bath as needed. In addition, trim the nails regularly, clean and trim the fur between the foot pads, and keep the ears clean and dry to prevent infections. Last but not least, it should go without saying that a people-loving dog like the Boykin Spaniel needs to live in the house. It’s an unhappy Boykin who is relegated to the backyard with little or no human companionship. In everything he does, from hunting to playing, the Boykin is enthusiastic and energetic. He’s best suited to an active family who can give him the exercise and attention he needs to thrive. He likes children if he’s brought up with them and treated well by them, but he’s not the kind of patient dog who will patiently put up with a clumsy toddler. Older children who understand how to treat dogs will find him to be an excellent playmate. Hunters like the Boykin’s go-all-day stamina and his biddable nature. Those characteristics translate well to agility, flyball, rally and obedience competitions, as well as hunt tests. If you’re not into dog sports, but want to keep your Boykin active, take him hiking, canoeing, kayaking or boating. He’s made to fit in little boats, after all. He loves to swim and would make a good partner if you enjoy standup paddleboarding or surfing. If you’re looking for a couch potato kind of dog, move along. The Boykin is not for you. Boykins are affectionate with their family as well as with most people they meet as long as they have been appropriately socialized from puppyhood. A well-socialized Boykin welcomes new experiences and is friendly toward other dogs. He can get along with family cats if he has been raised with them. The Boykin is alert, but he’s so friendly that he’s not much of a watchdog. He tends to bark only if someone is approaching the home or he hears an unusual sound. It’s not common for him to be a nuisance barker. Boykins are intelligent and learn quickly with positive reinforcement techniques. Be firm and consistent so you don’t confuse him. If you plan to hunt or compete in field trials with him you’ll want to seek the services of a professional trainer.