| Alternative Name Boykin
Basic Info
The Boykin Spaniel is a medium sized breed of dog and a
member of the Spaniel family. It is the state dog of South
Carolina and its original purpose was to flush and retrieve
game. In New York City, the Boykin is particularly rare, and
with its natural cockatoo/bouffant hair style, leading in time
to bangs over the eyes, it is always the centre of attention.
Slightly larger than the English Cocker Spaniel (about 17 inches
high and a weight over 30 pounds) with more feathering, its coat
colour comes only in liver. Traditionally, its tail is cropped
at the age of three days, to stop wagging during hunting.
General Height & Weight Height Weight Male Female Male Female
Minimum 15 1/2 inces 14 inches 30 pounds 25 pounds Maximum 18
inches 16 1/2 inches 40 pounds 35 pounds Standards HEAD - The
head, comprising the muzzle and skull, is impressive without
being heavy or snipey and is proportionally in balance with the
rest of the dog's body. The skull to be of medium length, fairly
broad, flat on top, slightly rounded at the sides and back. The
muzzle to be approximately the same length as the skull. Viewed
from the top, the width of the muzzle is approximately one half
the width of the skull. Viewed in profile, the nasal bone is
straight with a moderate stop and subtle rise at the junction of
the muzzle and skull forming two parallel planes between the top
lines of the skull and muzzle. The distance from the tip of the
nose to the base of the skull is about the same length as the
neck. The forehead is covered with smooth, short hair. The jaws
are sufficient length to allow the dog to easily carry game. The
nose to be dark liver in color with nostrils well-opened and
broad for good scenting power. Faults: Pointed or heavy skull,
over heavy muzzle, muzzle too short or narrow. TEETH - Teeth
should be straight and meet in a close scissors bite (the lower
teeth touching behind the upper incisors). An even bite
(incisors meet each other to edge to edge) is acceptable but not
preferred. Faults: Over or undershot jaws. EYES - The eyes are
yellow to brown to harmonize with the coat, set well apart,
expression alert, intelligent and trusting. Darker shades of
yellow preferred over lighter shades. Faults: A prominent or pop
eye. EARS - The ears are set slightly above the level of the
eyeline and reach the tip of the nose when pulled forward. They
lie flat and close to the head. NECK - The neck is moderately
long, muscular, slightly arched at the crest and gradually
blends into sloping shoulders without being abruptly angled or
excessively throaty. BODY STRUCTURE - The body is sturdily
constructed but not too compact. Sloping shoulders, chest
well-developed but not barrel, the back is strong, straight, and
level except for a slight arch in the loin area. Faults: High
hindquarters, roach back (too much arch over the loin extending
forward into the middle section), sway back (dip in back). LEGS
AND FEET - The legs are strong, of medium length and well boned,
but not too short as to handicap for field work. Legs should be
straight when viewed from the front or rear. The feet are found
to slightly oval, firm, and well-padded, turning neither in nor
out. Faults: Fiddle front (front legs out at elbow, pasterns
close, and feet turned out). Cowhocks (hocks on rear legs
turning towards each other). TAIL - The tail should be docked so
that at maturity it is 2 1/2 to 3 inches long. (Leave 1/3 of the
tail plus 1/4" when pup is 3-5 days old). COAT - The coat is
flat to moderately curly with medium length, fine hair with
light feathering acceptable on the legs, feet, ears, chest, and
belly. A short straight coat without feathering is acceptable.
Health
Several Boykin Spaniels are born with hip dysplasia each
year. Puppies can be checked by a local veterinarian for this
problem at the age of 2 human year old by an Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals (OFA) x-ray or as young as 4 months old
by a PennHIP exam. All breeding stock should receive either a
passing PennHIP evaluation or an OFA certification prior to
being bred. The breed is also known to have eye related problem.
All breeding stock should have a current (yearly) certificate
from CERF. Other lesser known problems include cardiac (heart),
patella luxation, elbow dysplasia, under bite jaw, and skin
problems. The breed is recognized by CHIC (Canine Health
Information Center) and individuals tested for hip, CERF and
patellas as well as having permanent identification (micro-chip
or tatto) will receive a CHIC number and certificate. However,
obtaining a CHIC certification does not mean a dog has passed
their evaluations; it is mearly an indication that the owner was
responsible enough to check for the health diseases in the
Boykin Spaniel.
Behavior
The personality is ever-bright, it easily substitutes ball
retrieving for turkey retrieving, and will swim with agility in
any aquatic environment. It is excellent with children (better,
some say, than its cousin Cocker Spaniel) and is an instinctive
swimmer. The breed is a definite working dog with ideal
retriever instincts, enthusiasm, and endurance. They say that
the Boykin is the dog that "dosn't rock the boat". At just 30
plus pounds, the Boykin will not upset a canoe or smaller boat
while hunting marsh and flooded timber. This is a southern-bred
dog and does not have a second coat, so big water in colder
climes like the Chesapeake Bay and north are not appropriate for
this breed when used as a hunting dog.
Origin
United States
History
The dog was originally found in 1911, outside a Methodist
church after service by Mr. Alexander L. White (1860-1942).
Looking terribly bedraggled, he was named "Dumpy", but showed
some aptitude for hunting, which the breed still does. So, He
took the dog to his friend, Mr. Whit Boykin (1861-1932), which
is where the name came from. Mr. Boykin bred the dog with a dog
named Singo and taught it to hunt with its brown coat for
camouflage. It may be closely related to the American Water
Spaniel. 65 years later, the Boykin Spaniel Society was formed.
Their mission was to document the breed in a registry and
ultimately obtain national recognition in a recognized
organization such as UKC and AKC. The BSS applied to the AKC for
recognitionin the early days of formation. The BSS was told that
they did not have complete documentation for AKC recognition but
to continue building their database for a re-evaluation in the
future. Several years later, the BSS again took their case to
the AKC. Upon being told that they would turn their very
profitable business of Boykin Spaniel registration over to the
AKC, the BSS chose to continue as a private individual company
rather than joining the AKC as the Boykin Spaniel national
parent club. In the late 1990's several people who still desired
AKC recognition despite the financial loss formed the Boykin
Spaniel Club of America. Although faced with opposition from
members of the BSS and a lawsuit over ownership of the breed,
the Boykin Spaniel Club of America continued working for AKC
recognition. In July 2005, the club was named the Official AKC
Parent Club of the Boykin Spaniel. Althought they remained an
AKC FSS breed, the AKC felt the club had made progress to the
point of allowing them to begin participatine in AKC events. In
January 2006, the breed was allowed to participat and earn
titled in AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests. In July 2006, they became
eligible to compete in AKC agility, obedience, rally and
tracking. The AKC does not allow Boykin Spaniels to compete in
AKC retriever tests. As the breed is a spaniel the BSCBAA chose
to have the breed run in AKC spaniel hunt tests. Historically,
the Boykin Spaniel Society has held both retriever and flushing
(spaniel) tests. The Boykin Spaniel Breeders Club focuses on all
the things you do with your Boykin Spaniel.
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