Boykin Spaniel

Get to Know Boykin Spaniels

• Official State Dog of South Carolina: The Boykin Spaniel was officially named the state dog of South Carolina in 1985, reflecting its deep roots in the region. It was originally developed for hunting in the swampy lowcountry, where its stamina and agility were essential.
• Born for Water Work: Boykins are natural water dogs and were bred to retrieve in swampy, wet terrain. Their strong swimming ability makes them excellent for waterfowl hunting and retrieving.
• Unique Origin Story: The breed traces back to a small hunting dog owned by Lester Boykin, who lived in South Carolina. Over generations, this dog was refined into the Boykin Spaniel, designed to be compact, hardworking, and fearless in the field.
• High Energy, High Drive: Boykins have a strong hunting drive and love to work. They need regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and well-behaved, or they may become restless and destructive.
• Great Family Dogs When They Have a Job: Boykins are affectionate and thrive on human companionship, but they do best when they have a purpose like hunting, hiking, or agility training. Without a job, their high energy can become a challenge for less active households.

Breed History

The Boykin Spaniel was developed in the early 1900s in South Carolina’s coastal lowcountry, primarily by Lester Boykin, a local hunter and farmer. He bred a small, tough hunting dog that could navigate swampy terrain and retrieve waterfowl. Over time, local hunters refined the breed by crossing it with other hunting dogs to enhance its stamina, temperament, and retrieving ability. The result was a compact, energetic spaniel that became highly valued for its work ethic, loyalty, and versatility in both fieldwork and family life.

Personality and Behaviour

• Friendly & People-Oriented: Boykins love being part of the family and often form strong bonds with their owners. They thrive on attention and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone too long.
• High Prey & Hunting Drive: Their hunting instincts are strong, so they may chase small animals if not properly trained and supervised. Early socialization and controlled exposure to other pets is important.
• Smart and Trainable — but Active: Boykins are intelligent and eager to please, which makes training easier than many other hunting breeds. However, they respond best to positive reinforcement and consistent structure.

Care

• Exercise: Boykins need daily vigorous exercise like running, swimming, or field work to stay balanced and happy.
• Training: Start early with consistent, reward-based training to manage their high drive and strong prey instincts.
• Grooming: Regular brushing and occasional trimming helps manage their medium-length coat and reduce matting, especially after water or field work.