Boykin Spaniel

The Boykin Spaniel is a sturdy medium sized spaniel. First and foremost a working dog with proven retrieving and flushing instincts as well as hunting ability.

The Boykin Spaniel breed is characterized by a boundless enthusiasm and a sustained endurance, with moderate speed and agility. They possess an intelligence and desire to please that makes them easy to train.

Their loving disposition makes them a great pet and companion. Love and personal attention improve their desire to hunt. Boykin Spaniels are strong swimmers, taking to water easily, and therefore are valuable for water retrieving as well as flushing and retrieving in the field.

Boykin Spaniel History:

The Boykin Spaniel originated from South Carolina in the early 1900s. They are named after L. Whitaker Boykin, who developed a small multi-purpose dog that excelled in retrieving both from land and water and was also compact enough to fit in a boat. They are aptly referred to as the breed that wouldn’t "rock the boat".

Boykin crossbred several breeds of hunting dogs including Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, and American Water Spaniels to develop the breed as it is known today. Records indicate that the father of this breed was a stray, mixed breed spaniel dog called Dumpy, who had been found by a friend of Boykin’s outside a church in Spartanburg. When the dog showed some aptitude at retrieving he was given to Boykin.

The Boykin Spaniel is the state dog of South Carolina. In 2007 the Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America was recognised by the American Kennel Club as the parent club for the breed. The Boykin Spaniel has since been accepted and is now recognised by the American Kennel Club.