Boykin Spaniel

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.

The following section is licensed under the Boykin Spaniel Society. It uses material from http://www.boykinspaniel.org/standard.html

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.

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, a female dog found abandoned in a train depot. Later other hunters would breed their 'Boykins' to different gun dogs, including Springer spaniels, Cocker spaniels, pointers, Setters and American water spaniels to name a few.

65 years later, the Boykin Spaniel Society was formed. Their mission was to document the breed in a registry, to encourage breeding of purebred Boykins, and ultimately obtain national recognition in a recognized organization such as UKC and AKC. The BSS applied to the AKC for recognition in the early years of formation. The BSS was told that they did not have complete documentation for AKC recognition but to re-evaluate in the future. Several years later, the BSS again took their case to the AKC. Upon being told that they would turn the registration part of their business over to the AKC, the BSS could not determine what the AKC offered and determined that the BSS could provide to continue as a private individual company rather than joining the AKC as the Boykin Spaniel national parent club.

In the late 1990's, a small group of people who still desired AKC recognition,despite the financial loss formed the Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America 1]. Shortly after their inception, the majority of the board of directors abruptlyu resigned over direction of the club. Although faced with opposition from members of the BSS, the resignation of the BOD, and a lawsuit over ownership of the breed instigated by the BSS, the Boykin Spaniel Club of America continued working for AKC recognition. The settlement of the lawsuit confirmed the BSS as the "Official Registry of the Boykin Spaniel" and confirmed the copyright of the Boykin spaniel conformation guide. Although the name suggests "Breeding", the BSCBA does not concern itself with breeding related issues.citation needed]

In July 2005, the splinter club was named the Official AKC Parent Club of the Boykin Spaniel. Although they remained an AKC FSS breed, the AKC felt the club had made progress to the point of allowing them to begin participating in AKC events. In January 2006, the breed was allowed to participate and earn titled in AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests. In July 2006, they became eligible to compete in AKC agility, obedience, rally and tracking. The Boykin Spaniel Society continues to hold two national field trials each year. In January, they hold an upland field trial and in April they hold the retriever national field trial. Other activities include training seminars and health seminars. The Boykin Spaniel Foundation reimburses up to $75 for the cost of OFA hip screening on a one time basis per membership only. The BSS focuses on hunting and health related activities for the Boykin Spaniel. The BSS has approximately 2500 members, over 500 Life members, and over 21,000 dogs registered.

Health Problems

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 merely an indication that the owner was responsible enough to check for the health diseases in the Boykin Spaniel.

There are only a few OFA "excellent" Boykin spaniels.

Temperament

The personality is ever-bright, it easily substitutes ball retrieving for bird 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. They do require daily exercise and weekly grooming to keep the coat matting under control.

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". Ideally, at around 35 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 duck hunting dog. They make excellent upland hunters that can be easlily trained to quarter and flush game within gun range.