Boykin Spaniel: State Dog of South Carolina
History of the Boykin Spaniel
The Boykin Spaniel has a very humble beginning. In the early 1900s in South Carolina, a stray, spaniel-type dog followed Alexander L. White from his home to church. The dog, which White named Dumpy, showed an aptitude for retrieving, so White took Dumpy to his good friend and hunting partner, “Whit” Boykin. Mr. White liked the little dog and brought it home.
Boykin trained Dumpy to be an excellent turkey and waterfowl retriever. Dumpy thus became the founding dog of the breed now called the Boykin Spaniel. Dumpy and his descendants were crossbred with hunting breeds such as the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, and the American Water Spaniel.
The resulting breed was named the Boykin Spaniel, one of only two dogs whose names include the name of its founding family. The other breed is the Plott Hound.
State Dog of South Carolina
In 1985, the Boykin Spaniel became the state dog of South Carolina, where September 1 is now Boykin Spaniel Day. The Boykin gained full AKC recognition in 2009. The Boykin is a medium-sized dog about 18 inches tall and weighing around 25 to 40 pounds.
Appearance
While the Boykin Spaniel is not significantly bigger than the English Cocker Spaniel, it is heavier throughout the body. If the size is a consideration in the buyer’s choice of dog, they should research the size and weight in the puppy’s lineage before selecting a breeder.
Its tail is customarily docked at three days old, leaving 1/3 of it. It has bright and captivating eyes. From dazzling gold to dark amber, the color is varied. Until a few months old, puppies will have milky bluish-gold to amber eyes. The coat is available in chocolate or liver (shades of brown).
A Hunting Dog
The Boykin Spaniel is a multipurpose hunter that flushes birds into flight and retrieves prey. The Boykin’s hunting method does not involve pointing, yet many people mistake the natural attribute of a “hesitant flush” for pointing.
Three of the six or eight separate breeds that were combined to create the present breed are pointing breeds. The field Boykin spaniel knows that to flush birds with absolute accuracy, she must wait until her hunter is set up for the shot.
They are effective for hunting doves, pheasants, and other upland game due to their stamina in hot weather and eagerness. They can be used to track injured game or drive deer. They are known as “the dog that doesn’t rock the boat” due to their diminutive size, which makes them simple to transport in a canoe or other small boat.
As Family Pets
A friendly and outgoing dog, the Boykin Spaniel is regarded as a good family pet. It is eager to work and simple to train. It is excellent around kids and other dogs. They have a reputation for being highly resilient and spirited. They can quickly adapt to various surroundings as long as they have social engagement and time to expend extra energy. They tend to be polite, willing to please, and not easily offended, but they also crave attention.
Health Concerns
Boykin Spaniels are healthy dogs, and ethical breeders check their stock for problems including hip dysplasia, juvenile cataracts, and exercise-induced collapse. The Boykin’s ears should be routinely examined for indications of infection and cleaned as required. The breeder or vet of the dog can suggest an ear-cleaning solution that can be used in conjunction with soft gauze. Use toothpaste made for dogs to brush their teeth frequently.
The breed is also predisposed to the inherited eye, heart, and patellar luxation conditions. Skin and coat issues can be brought on by thyroid, endocrine, or allergy conditions.
