Boykin Spaniel

The Boykin Spaniel, nicknamed Swamp Poodle or Little Brown Dog (LBD), is a medium size dog that was primarily used to hunt wild turkeys in the Wateree River Swamp in South Carolina, USA. It is of a slightly larger build than English cockers and has longer fur on the legs and belly. A distinctive feature of the Boykin Spaniel is the tail, which is typically docked when the dog is a few days old, leaving about 1/3 length.

The most common coat colors are liver or shades of brown, including chocolate. The coats typically have no white other than white spots on the chest. The Boykin Spaniel Society does not register dogs which have white markings covering more than 60% of the chest, although this rule has been challenged by the American Kennel Club. This breed’s height ranges from 15.5-18 inches (39.4-45.7 cm) and weight is between 30-40 pounds (13.6-18.2 kgs).

The Boykin Spaniel has many uses as a hunting dog. It can be used as a retriever and for chasing birds into flight. They have good stamina even in hot weather. Their high energy level makes them good for hunting doves and pheasant. They’ve also been used to hunt deer and track wounded animals during hunts. Their size is ideal for fitting into a small boat without taking up too much space.

The breed was created in the early 20th century by L. Whitaker Boykin, who was experimenting with crossbreeding. According to legend, the breed was created by mating a spaniel with a dog of unknown breed found on the street by Boykin’s friend. Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels and American Water Spaniels were used in the development of the Boykin Spaniel. The breed spread to the rest of the United States because its original breeding ground was located around Camden, South Carolina, which was a resort. As visitors to the resort developed a liking for Boykin Spaniels, the breed’s popularity increased.

In 1985, the Boykin Spaniel was recognized as a pure breed by the United Kennel Club. The Boykin Spaniel Club And Breeders Association of America was formed in the 1990’s and it was the first organization to create and follow a Code of Ethics. The BSCBAA was recognized as the official parent organization for Boykin Spaniels by the American Kennel Club in 2007. Much earlier, in 1977, the Boykin Spaniel Society (BSS) was formed. This club has come under scrutiny due to its inability to take lead in issues related to Boykin Spaniels.

Boykin Spaniels have a reasonably high chance of being born with dysplasia and should be checked at about 2 years of age for this disorder. It is also recommended that breeding dogs be checked for hereditary eye diseases, heart and cardiac diseases and allergies. These dogs are friendly, social dogs that thrive with plenty of exercise and by having people around them. They are easy to train and are enthusiastic. They’re very suitable for children and respond well to having other dogs around.