BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION

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Breed Registries:


Note: The breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.

NOTE 1: — The Boykin Spaniel Society maintains its own registry of purebred Boykin Spaniels. A litter must be registered with the Society before one year of age. No dogs are accepted for registration after this time.

NOTE 2: — Effective 1 January 2008, the Boykin Spaniel will be eligible to compete in the AKC Miscellaneous Class. See http://www.akc.org/reg/fss_news.cfm for full details. The breeds currently eligible to participate in the Miscellaneous Class are still enrolled in the AKC Foundation Stock Service®. FSS® enrollment is maintained until the AKC Board of Directors accepts the breed for regular status.

From the April 2009 AKC Board Meeting - The Boykin Spaniel will be eligible for AKC registration and for competition in the Sporting Group, effective 30 December 2009. There will be an open registry for the breed until 1 January 2015.


Height:

Male: 15 1/2 to 18 inches - Female: 14 to 16 1/2 inches

Weight:

Male: 30 to 40 lbs. - Female: 25 to 35 lbs.

Breed Profile:

The Boykin Spaniel is the official dog of South Carolina and was originally bred by South Carolina hunters to be the ideal dog for hunting wild turkeys during the 1900s. The typical Boykin Spaniel is friendly and eager to please. He is first and foremost a hunting dog, with abilities in both retrieving and flushing. He is agile, intelligent, and easily trained. The Boykin is also a strong swimmer and therefore valuable as a water retriever as well as in the field.

The coat is of medium length, flat to somewhat curly and comes in a solid, rich liver or dark chocolate.

The Boykin makes an excellent companion, hunting dog and family friend. They enjoy being made part of a family and affection or attention never affects their hunting instincts.

Health Issues

If you are considering the adoption of a Boykin Spaniel puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)

Some health problems which have been seen in the Boykin Spaniel breed include: Hip Dysplasia; Eye problems, with cataracts being the most commonly diagnosed problem in the Boykin; and skin allergies.

Additional Health Resources:

Only Natural Pet Store

Breed Standards

Grooming Information

  • Grooming — This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.

Training Resources

Boykin Spaniels are known to be relatively easy to train. As with all breeds of dogs, early socialization is important for the Boykin puppy.
  • Training — For training information, see this growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.

Training Tools & Equipment
Choose from a wide variety of items from Dogwise.com



Additional Information

  • Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your dog.
  • Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website provides information and listings of organizations that are involved in various dog jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.

Select from the following links to view Breeder listings; Breed Clubs; Rescue Organizations; as well as Books and other Merchandise specific to the breed:

Breeders  /  Breed Clubs  /  Rescues  /  Books & More