Boykin Spaniel: Your Complete Guide
The Boykin spaniel is a dog native to South Carolina, making them one of the few dog breeds that were developed right here in the United States. Shortly known as the Boykin, these dogs were commonly utilized for flushing out and retrieving game, which made them renowned among waterfowl and wild turkey hunters throughout South Carolina.
While they are undoubtedly one of the most effective dogs when it comes to hunting, the breed’s other traits that make them all-rounder family dogs are catching up to make their reputation heard outside South Carolina. This leads to many people wondering more about the Boykin spaniel. If this sounds like you, Dog Academy is here to go over everything you need to know about the Boykin spaniel.
Continue reading our breed guide to discover the characteristics of the Boykin spaniel, covering everything from temperament and physical traits to grooming needs and health.
Quick Look at the Boykin Spaniel
Before we dive deeper into the Boykin spaniel’s characteristics, here’s a table that summarizes what to expect from this breed. It can help you get an idea of what they are like before reading in detail.
| Weight/Height | 25 – 40 pounds / 14 – 18 inches |
| Coat Type | Wavy double coat that’s medium in length |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Family-oriented, sociable, affectionate, active |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
What Is the History of Boykin Spaniels?
The Boykin spaniel has its origins in Boykin, South Carolina, a small community of just 100 people, where a man named Alexandar White found a small brown spaniel outside a church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He named him Dumpy and noticed the dog’s intelligence and retrieving instincts, particularly for waterfowl hunting, and sent Dumpy to his hunting friend and community patriarch, Whit Boykin.
As the community’s leading dog-man, he recognized Dumpy’s potential and began developing a new breed from him by crossing Dumpy with other sporting dogs, including the American water spaniel, cocker spaniel, and springer spaniel, with the end goal of producing a versatile gun dog capable of working from small boats in South Carolina’s swampy terrain.
Following their efforts, Boykin spaniels had become a beloved regional hunting companion throughout the Carolinas by the mid-20th Century. However, it took decades for the American Kennel Club to recognize the breed, as the Boykin spaniel gained formal recognition only in 2009, classified under the sporting group.
Although Boykin spaniels are still only popular in the Carolinas today compared to other places, they are the overall 65th most popular dog breed in the US, according to the AKC’s 2024 popularity ranking.
What Do Boykin Spaniels Look Like?
Boykins only come in brown that ranges from a rich liver to chocolate, though it is described as dark liver in the breed standards. It is one of the identifying characteristics of the Boykin spaniel, as this is the only coat color that’s permitted according to the breed standards.
In appearance, the Boykin spaniel resembles the American water spaniel, as this breed had the greatest influence on its development. They have wavy ears that are almost curly and facial expressions that appear similar to those of any other spaniel. With all their features, the Boykin spaniel is a distinct dog breed that’s easy to recognize for someone familiar with spaniels.
What Size Is a Boykin Spaniel?
Boykins are medium-sized dogs. They are slightly bigger than the American cocker spaniel but not as big as the American water spaniel or the English springer spaniel. On average, males stand between 30 and 40 pounds while females weigh 25 to 35 pounds. When it comes to their height, they are well-proportionate, with males standing 15.5 to 18 inches, whereas females are 14 to 16.5 inches tall.
What Is a Boykin Spaniel’s Coat Type and Length?
Boykins have double, wavy coats that are medium in length. The coat naturally repels water and enables them to stay in the water for long periods without any discomfort. The undercoat isn’t thick like that of huskies or golden retrievers, but it is soft and dense, perfect for insulating them in both cool waters and hot days.
This shows that the Boykin spaniel’s coat wasn’t only developed for beauty but also for functionality. It is one standout feature of the Boykin spaniel compared to other spaniels.
What Is a Boykin Spaniel’s Temperament?
The Boykin spaniel isn’t just effective at waterfowl hunting. The temperament of this breed also makes them excellent family dogs. They get along well with everyone and are highly adaptable dogs that can fit into any household. Whether you live in an apartment in an urban city, family-oriented suburbs, or a rural farmhouse, a Boykin spaniel will be equally happy as long as they receive the care and love they need.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Boykin spaniel’s personality to help you find out why they make such renowned family dogs.
Are Boykin Spaniels Good With Kids?
Boykins are among the best dog breeds for families with children. They are gentle and affectionate dogs that bond particularly strongly with kids in the family. These dogs are always up for playtime with kids, but never overbearing with their medium size; they don’t risk knocking children over in case they’re too excited.
Boykin spaniels are also fairly watchful over children. Even though they aren’t guard dogs, their attentive nature gives them a nice protective streak. Still, despite all these positives, supervision is essential to ensure that kids and Boykins get along well.
Are Boykin Spaniels Good With Other Animals?
Boykins are similar when it comes to their relationship with other animals. They enjoy the presence of dogs, thanks to their sociable and pack-oriented nature. Boykins are often the ones who initiate play with other dogs and greet friendly dogs with a wagging tail rather than suspicion. This makes the Boykin spaniel an excellent choice for households planning to add a second or third dog.
With other pets, Boykins tend to do well with cats and small animals if raised together, though they might chase unfamiliar small animals like squirrels, rabbits, or birds outdoors. This must be managed with proper training to ensure your Boykin spaniel doesn’t stray away chasing small animals, especially in areas where wildlife is prominent.
Are Boykin Spaniels Aggressive?
Boykin spaniels aren’t prone to aggression. They are social dogs that are well-balanced in this regard. Unless a Boykin spaniel wasn’t socialized properly and constantly got away with bad behaviors when young, aggression isn’t something to worry about with this breed.
However, any dog can be prone to aggressive tendencies due to the reasons above. If you plan on adopting a Boykin spaniel rather than buying and raising a puppy, note that the dog you adopt might have certain behavioral issues that require your attention. Fortunately, with their small size and eagerness to please, working through behavioral problems with a Boykin spaniel is often easier than with many other breeds.
Do Boykin Spaniels Bark?
Boykin spaniels aren’t known to be yappy dogs that constantly bark at everything they see. However, it would also be wrong to say that they are quiet dogs that only bark on special occasions. They are alert dogs that tend to bark to announce visitors and unfamiliar noises, communicating excitement, and getting your attention (always ignore if your Boykin does this to get your attention).
Since they aren’t prone to excessive barking, Boykins can learn to be quiet on command. If you live in an apartment with noise restrictions, we recommend starting training early to teach them to be quiet to ensure you have a dog at home that only barks when there’s a reason for it.
Are Boykin Spaniels Affectionate?
The Boykin spaniel might be the most affectionate spaniel of all. They bond strongly with each and every member of their family (though they tend to have a favorite human, which is typically kids or the person who takes them out the most) and enjoy being at the center of attention. When they’re satisfied with their day, Boykins turn into cuddly little dogs that softly nudge the owner to ask for pets.
This affectionate nature is another reason why they are exceptional family dogs. These traits also make Boykin spaniels an excellent dog for becoming an emotional support animal. They sense when their owners are feeling down and are quick to come and comfort them. We will also cover how they are as service dogs below.
Are Boykin Spaniels Intelligent?
The Boykin spaniel is an incredibly smart dog that’s highly capable. They keep an alert eye on their surroundings and are attentive to what’s happening around them. These dogs are particularly good at reading the body language of humans, which is the reason why they are so good at understanding when their owner is feeling a particular way.
However, the intelligence of the Boykin spaniel also means that they require a lot of mental stimulation. It is as important as physical exercise, if not more, as a daily routine that’s always the same can quickly lead to boredom, which can result in behavioral issues. Keep this in mind before adopting or buying a Boykin spaniel.
Are Boykin Spaniels Energetic?
Boykin spaniels are high-energy dogs that require a good deal of daily exercise. They should be walked at least for an hour daily and provided opportunities for playtime and mentally enriching activities. Following a consistent routine is good, but it shouldn’t be dull to the point that it becomes boring. Because they are hunting dogs, Boykins enjoy spending time outdoors, making places like hiking trails the best places to provide them with the exercise they need.
Although they aren’t hyper like a Belgian Malinois, Boykins thrive when given a job to do, like completing agility courses or detection work. If you’re interested in training them for a job, you can also pick something that suits your community; if there are schools and nursing homes in your area, for example, therapy dog training can be an excellent outlet for exercising them and putting their trainability to good use.
Are Boykin Spaniels Easy to Train?
Boykin spaniels, unlike many other spaniels and hunting dogs, have a good amount of trainability. They are surprisingly eager to please and enjoy following the owner’s directions. As long as you use positive reinforcement training, you likely won’t encounter problems training your Boykin spaniel.
Given this breed’s energetic nature, we highly recommend getting them involved in training from the first day. Start by teaching them basic commands like sit, stay, and come, and gradually introduce more advanced commands to make life easier with your Boykin spaniel. If you’re new to dog training, make sure to check our online courses to get video lessons you can follow step-by-step.
Are Boykin Spaniels Good Watchdogs?
When it comes to becoming a watchdog, Boykin spaniels may fall short of your expectations. They are sociable dogs that have an inherent desire to challenge unfamiliar faces. With this alone, it would be wrong to say that they make good watchdogs.
However, individual temperament plays a crucial role. While most Boykin spaniels won’t think much of someone new entering their territory, some can be surprisingly territorial. Therefore, it is best to take their watchdog capabilities with a grain of salt, though nobody should get a Boykin spaniel, thinking that they will have a natural watchdog.
Are Boykin Spaniels Good Service Dogs?
Boykin spaniels aren’t a common choice when it comes to service dog work. Although their trainability is fair and they have the work ethic for it, their tendency to get distracted easily makes many Boykin spaniels fail service dog training. Plus, their petite frames don’t make them suitable for most kinds of service dog work, particularly those that require a powerful dog like mobility assistance.
Overall, Boykin spaniels are better suited for being emotional support animals or therapy dogs. These don’t have the intense training requirements of a service dog and fit the personality of Boykin spaniels. In fact, as emotional support animals, Boykin spaniels don’t have any training requirements, though having a well-behaved dog is always important.
How to Care for a Boykin Spaniel?
We’ve gone over many of the care needs of the Boykin spaniel. Here’s more on what potential owners need to know about caring for a Boykin spaniel. We cover their grooming, feeding, and health needs to help you decide if you can attend to their care needs in addition to what we’ve covered above.
Do You Need to Groom a Boykin Spaniel?
The medium-length wavy coat of the Boykin spaniel has moderate grooming needs. Owners should brush their dogs at least once a week using a slicker brush to remove dead hair and keep their outer coat free from mats and tangles. They also need occasional trimming to maintain their natural body shape.
Besides coat care, Boykin spaniels also have other grooming needs like ear cleaning, paw care, and nail trimming. Ear cleaning and dental care are vital with these dogs as they can be prone to ear infections and periodontal disease. We will cover the health problems Boykins are prone to developing in detail below.
Do Boykin Spaniels Shed?
Boykin spaniels shed an average amount, with the intensity becoming more noticeable during seasonal changes as their coats prepare for the next season. While they are certainly not the hypoallergenic kind, Boykins trap some of the dead hair between their wavy to curly fur, which can make shedding more manageable if you’re committed to brushing their coats regularly.
What Health Problems Do Boykin Spaniels Have?
Like many other spaniel breeds, Boykin spaniels are overall healthy dogs. However, the same as any other dog breed, regardless of type, they are at risk of certain health problems. In addition to ear infections and periodontal disease that we’ve covered above, these include luxating patella, hip dysplasia, Collie eye anomaly, juvenile cataracts, and exercise-induced collapse.
Working with a responsible breeder when buying a Boykin spaniel or researching the health of the one you adopt is critical in ensuring you add a healthy dog to your family. Routine vet visits and educating yourself on the early symptoms of the health problems the breed is associated with are also crucial in ensuring you have a healthy, happy Boykin spaniel.
How Long Do Boykin Spaniels Live?
The Boykin spaniel’s lifespan is anywhere between 10 and 15 years. This broad range might come off a bit surprising, but it is the case with many dog breeds that were developed in recent times.
What Should a Boykin Spaniel Eat?
Boykin spaniels, like all the other dogs, need a diet that supports their overall health and lifestyle. They can thrive on all kinds of diets, including kibble, fresh, homemade, and raw. What matters is the ingredients and the quality of those ingredients. There are many commercially available dog food options for Boykin spaniels that can meet their nutritional needs.
If you don’t know what to feed your Boykin spaniel, consult your vet to get tailored advice. After examining their health, lifestyle, and individual needs, they can guide you to the most appropriate dog food that will benefit their health.
Is a Boykin Spaniel the Right Dog for Me?
The Boykin spaniel is an energetic and playful dog with an equally affectionate and loyal personality, which are qualities that many want to have in their dogs. However, the Boykin spaniel is a high-maintenance dog that requires an involved owner. You must pay for their highly sought-after qualities by taking them out for long walks, providing mentally enriching activities, and getting yourself involved in their training.
If these aren’t demanding for you, then you will find the Boykin spaniel to be an excellent dog. They can fit into a wide variety of households, from those who live alone to large families and anything in between, making them highly adaptable dogs that are suitable for many.