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Boykin spaniel

The Boykin Spaniel was developed in South Carolina in the early twentieth century, from a stray spaniel found outside a church, as a dog small enough to work from the small boats used in the swamps of the Wateree river.

It is the state dog of South Carolina.

It stands 36 to 46 centimetres, weighs 11 to 18 kilograms and lives ten to fifteen years, with a wavy or curly liver-coloured coat. It is a keen, biddable, cheerful gundog with real stamina for its size, and it is popular as a family dog in the American Southeast. It carries one condition that every owner should test for, because it can be fatal during exercise.

Origin
South Carolina, United States, early 20th century
Size
36–46 cm; 11–18 kg
Lifespan
10–15 years
Coat
Wavy to curly liver-coloured; moderate grooming
Temperament
Cheerful, biddable and keen; a working gundog
Health
Exercise-induced collapse — DNA testable; hip dysplasia

Related: American water spaniel · Cavalier King Charles spaniel · Clumber spaniel · Cocker spaniel · English cocker spaniel

2 boykin spaniel photos, newest first

Boykin spaniel feed
  • Ginger, a boykin spaniel

    Ginger

    Ginger was promoted to train dispatcher handling one tiny late train; unfortunately, a domino line stops one piece before the finish.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Ginger, a boykin spaniel

    Ginger

    I have never once won a staring contest with Ginger.

    MerryBadger · 2 weeks ago

Living with a boykin spaniel

Ask for the exercise-induced collapse DNA test. Affected dogs are normal at rest but collapse after intense exercise — the hind legs give way and, in severe episodes, it can be fatal. It is recessive, the test is definitive, and it is common enough in this breed that testing is standard among good breeders. Affected dogs can live well with managed exercise, but only if you know.

Ask for hip scores and eye testing too; both hip dysplasia and eye conditions occur.

The coat needs brushing twice a week and occasional trimming, and the pendulous ears need drying after every swim.

They are working gundogs and need an hour or more of real exercise plus retrieving work.

They are sensitive to harsh handling and train best with encouragement.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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