Dogs are athletic animals. They often engage in sports, such as swimming, hunting, and many other competitive activities that are available in our society today. One of the most remarkable dogs known for engaging in sports is the Boykin Spaniel.
As expected from its sporty nature, the Boykin is a very active dog. They are playful and easily trainable. Its friendly attitude makes it an excellent family dog, and could get along with kids. That is why the Boykin is a breed that any dog lovers would surely love.
Interestingly, the Boykin has distinct features, which make it unique. It usually comes with a rich brown coat, along with large ears.
Origins of the Boykin Spaniel
We can trace back the development of the Boykin Spaniel to the 20th century. It started in a small community in South Carolina called Boykin, wherein a man named Alexander White found a brown spaniel outside the church where he was attending. He named it ‘Dumpy’ and took it out hunting, along with his retrievers. Interestingly, White saw potential in Dumpy due to its incredible activeness and athleticism in hunting and swimming.
Because of Dumpy’s outstanding potential, White sent it to his hunting partner Whit Boykin, the founder of the Boykin community, for training. Unsurprisingly, Boykin was amazed at how Dumpy worked on the field. This discovery became a stepping stone in developing its breed. Boykin took action in crossing various spaniels with Dumpy, which resulted in the eager breed called the Boykin Spaniel.
The development of the Boykin Spaniel sparked the interest of many dog lovers in various places. They engaged the Boykin in different sports activities, which indeed showed them extraordinary athleticism and versatility.
The Boykin was a popular breed in South Carolina but eventually gained recognition in different parts of the country. Its fame was not surprising since it an excellent breed – with a combination of strength, eagerness, and versatility. Furthermore, the Boykin is also friendly towards its family, especially children, making it a very lovable dog.
Moreover, the brilliance of the Boykin Spaniel earned it the title as South Carolina’s official state dog. Furthermore, they celebrate its greatness every September 1 as Boykin Spaniel Day.
Characteristics of the Boykin Spaniel
Height: 14 – 18 inches
Weight: 25 – 40 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 – 15 years
Hypoallergenic: No
The Boykin Spaniel is a medium-sized dog that could stand up to eighteen inches tall and weighing up to forty pounds. It may not be large and muscular compared to other dogs, but it proves to be one of the most energetic and versatile breeds.
It has a lot of distinct features that would surely catch the interest of many dog lovers. One of its most remarkable features is its elegant brown coat – which varies in color from a rich liver to dark chocolate. Along with their iconic brown coat are large, feathery cheeks.
As mentioned earlier, the Boykin is an energetic and active dog. They are trainable in various tasks, and one activity that they are good at is swimming. Interestingly, Boykins are excellent swimmers. They are naturally bred swimmers that got used to the lakes and swamps in South Carolina. Because of their athletic body and active nature, they can swim faster than other dogs.
Besides its incredible performance and adorable appearance, the Boykin Spaniel is also an affectionate dog. Experts often emphasize how sweet of a dog is the Boykin towards its family. All of its fascinating features, along with its good behavior, makes it an excellent dog to keep in the family.
Caring for the Boykin Spaniel
Boykins work best with high-quality dog food but feeding them homemade meals is also acceptable. Just make sure your local veterinarian approves them. Always be cautious in the amount of food to serve your dog since they are prone to getting overweight, which could eventually lead to other medical conditions. Another thing to consider is feeding them treats during training. Treats are essential in training a dog; however, make sure to control the number of treats your dog consumes. Having control of the number of treats you are feeding could also prevent obesity and health problems in the future.