Today, we are going to introduce you to a dog from the spaniel group, the Boykin Spaniel, a dog that really reminds us of the English Cocker Spaniel. These dogs originated in the United States, where they were the faithful companions of South Carolina peacock hunters. But they are not only excellent retrievers, they are also very good-tempered dogs who are very willing to work and are really affectionate.
These lovable, good-natured dogs have rightly gone from being a hunting dog to a companion dog. In this PlanèteAnimal sheet, we invite you to discover all about the characteristics, care and he alth of the Boykin Spaniel.
Happy reading!
Origin
- America
- United States
Physical Characteristics
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Long ears
Size
- Average
Height
- 35-45
Adult Weight
- 10-25
Life expectancy
- 15-20
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Very loyal
- Active
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- House
- The hunt
- Sports
Hair type
- Short
- Medium
- Big
Origin of the Boykin Spaniel
The Boykin Spaniel breed originated in South Carolina, USA, in the first decade of the last century. The first Boykin Spaniel was born in the town of Spartanburg and was noted for his hunting prowess as well as his resemblance to other spaniel type dogs. It is believed to have originated from the cross between the Chesapeake Bay retriever, the Cocker spaniel and the American Water Spaniel. This little dog was gifted to a hunter named Boykin, from whom the breed developed as a result of crossbreeding of the hunter's dog with other spaniels.
This breed was developed by hunters in the area because they needed a smaller retrieving dog than those already in the state at that time. They needed smaller dogs because the space they had on the boats was tight because of the room occupied by the wild turkeys, the tools and the supplies they needed to hunt.
Boykin Spaniel physical characteristics
The Boykin Spaniel is a medium-sized dog whose average weight is between 13.5 and 18 kilograms for a height at the withers ranging from 39.4 to 43.2 centimeters for males. Females weigh between 11.4 and 15.9 kilograms and measure between 35 and 42 centimeters. Their life expectancy is about 14 to 16 years.
These dogs have a robust and compact body morphology, with muscular and straight limbs, which end in oval and webbed feet. Their backs are straight and strong.
His head of a Boykin is broad, with rounded sides and a flattened top. Its jaws are elongated and powerful. Its ears are flat and set above the line of the eyes and close to the head. His eyes, brown in color, are medium in size, well spaced and oval in shape.
The coat of these dogs has a two-layer structure, with an undercoat and an outer coat. This outer coat is of moderate length and has different lengths depending on the area of the body. It is therefore in the fringes of the ears, legs, chest and belly that it is the longest. This hair can be wavy or smooth, of great density and variable hardness.
Boykin Spaniel Character
Boykin dogs are known for their good character. In addition to being very docile and affectionate, they are extremely enthusiastic and intelligent. This is why they have been valued as retriever dogs for decades.
But that shouldn't lead us to think that these dogs are just hunters, because anyone who has spent time with a Boykin Spaniel knows how noble and familiar they are. They are ideal for families with children, as well as living with other dogs, as they are adaptable, respectful and patient.
They are also very sociable and they show no reluctance in contact with new situations, people or animals, and it is quite rare for a Boykin to show aggressive attitudes.
Caring for the Boykin Spaniel
Boykin Spaniels are dogs that do not require excessive care to be he althy. One of the fundamental aspects for a Boykin is daily physical exercise, which should be high intensity, as they are extremely energetic.
As for the maintenance of its coat, it must be brushed at least once a week. Only wash it occasionally to keep it clean and shiny.For brushing, choose a brush suitable for their coat, which should be medium long and dense, and it may be necessary to use a different comb or brush to remove any tangles from their feathers, which are a bit longer. long.
We must also provide them with quality, balanced food adapted to their needs. It's also imperative that they always have access to fresh, clean water so they don't become dehydrated.
Boykin Spaniel Education
Boykin Spaniels are known for their affable nature and docility and are considered one of the easiest dog breeds to train.
They are not stubborn dogs and, especially if they have received an early basic education, they will gladly obey. Their socialization is not a difficult process to set up and you will just have to gradually expose them to other people or animals.
Many of these dogs are trained for hunting, especially waterfowl. This is because they are good retriever dogs as well as very good swimmers. They love water, which is why many families take them to beaches, lakes, or reservoirs when they go on a family outing. They will be delighted, because they can enjoy the company of the family while playing and exercising.
Boykin spaniel he alth
Boykin Spaniels have a number of pathologies linked to their breed and their genetic heritage. One of them is the famous and dreaded dysplasia of the hip. This condition may require drastic veterinary measures such as traumatic surgery to correct it in cases of advanced dysplasia. This is why it is essential to carry out regular veterinary checks in order to make an early diagnosis, as this improves the prognosis. Other joint diseases from which the breed suffers are degenerative myelopathy, which has no cure, only palliative.They can also suffer from patella luxation, which affects the he alth of the kneecap, dislocating it and causing more or less severe pain and lameness.
Other alterations can also occur, such as otitis externa, very common in breeds like the Boykin, because the ears are close to the head and the ear canal is not well ventilated. They often suffer from different eye conditions, such as juvenile cataract, which differs from the usual cataract by its early onset, or the anomaly of the eye of the collie, which consists of an underdevelopment of the ocular choroid, which triggers blindness, a condition typical of the border collie.
Other diseases that can appear in this breed are pulmonary stenosis, which is a heart defect, or collapse due to excessive exercise, caused by too much physical activity, which is a genetic disease.
Boykin Spaniel Pictures
