Boykin Spaniel

Gun Dog Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges. Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare. essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

Breed history states that sometime after the turn of the 20th century, a small dog was found wandering near a Methodist church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. One of the people attending the services there, a Mr. Alexander L. White, took the dog home as a pet. The dog apparently displayed some hunting aptitude so Mr. White sent the dog to be trained by his hunting partner, Mr. L. Whitaker Boykin of the Boykin community just outside of Camden, South Carolina. With this training, the little stray developed into a superb turkey dog and waterfowl retriever.

This dog, said to be a male, was the forerunner of all Boykin Spaniels in existence today. Early ancestors of the breed are thought to be the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel and the American Water Spaniel.

The Boykin Spaniel was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1985.

General Appearance

The Boykin Spaniel is a medium size, sturdy, typical spaniel. This sporting dog is first and foremost a working dog with proven retrieving and flushing instincts and hunting ability.
Working dogs are not to be penalized under any conditions for scars or blemishes that are due to hunting injuries.

Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.

Characteristics

The breed is characterized by boundless enthusiasm and endurance, and moderate speed and agility, possessing an intelligence and desire to please that makes him easy to train. His amicable disposition makes him an exceptional pet and companion. Love and personal attention improve his desire to hunt. He is a strong swimmer, taking to water easily, and therefore is valuable for water retrieving as well as flushing and retrieving in the field.

Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness.

Head

The head is basically spaniel in shape. Viewed from above, the width of the muzzle is half the width of the skull. Viewed from the side, the nasal bone is straight, with a positive break at the junction of the muzzle and the skull, and the toplines of the skull and muzzle are parallel. Measuring from the tip of the nose to the base of the skull, the length is about the same length as that of the neck. The forehead is covered with smooth, short hair.

SKULL

Fairly broad, flat on top and slightly rounded at the sides and back.

MUZZLE

The jaws are strong enough to allow the dog to efficiently carry game, as well as straight and long for free development of good scenting ability. The upper lips cover the lower jaw, but are not pendulous or exaggerated.

Fault: Snipey nose.

NOSE

Broad, with well-opened nostrils. Liver in color.

TEETH

A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite, the lower incisors touching behind the upper incisors.

Faults: Undershot or overshot bite.

EYES

Eyes are set well apart, oval in shape and are varying shades of yellow or brown, harmonizing with the color of the coat. Expression is alert and intelligent.

Fault: Prominent eyes.

EARS

Ears are set slightly above the level of the eyes, and have rounded tips. They lie close to the head and the leather reaches to the end of the nose.

Neck

The muscular neck is moderately long and slightly arched at the crest. It blends gradually into sloping shoulders.

Faults: Abruptly angled neck. Excessively throaty.

Forequarters

The shoulder blades are long and sloping, forming an angle with the upper arm that sets the front legs well back under the body.

FORELEGS

When viewed from the front, the medium length legs are straight. Bone is strong but not coarse.

Body

The Boykin Spaniel is sturdily constructed, but not too compact. The height, measured at the shoulder, should be less than the length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder to the buttocks. The chest is well-developed. The back is strong, straight and level. Ribs are well sprung, oval in shape, and loin is short, muscular and slightly arched. Croup slopes slightly to the set on of the tail.

Fault: Barrel-chested.

Hindquarters

Muscular, and with angulation that balances with the forequarter.

HIND LEGS

When viewed from behind, they are strong and straight. Hocks are well let down.

Fault: High hindquarters.

Feet

The feet are slightly oval, firm and well padded, harmonizing with body size. They turn neither in nor out.

Tail

The tail is customarily docked to result in a 2½-to-3-inch tail at maturity. Suggested docking procedure is to leave one-third of the tail when docking at between three to seven days of age. Tail carriage is typically spaniel, horizontal or slightly above, but never vertical or curled over the back.

Coat

The desired coat is flat to moderately curly, and of medium length, but a short, straight coat is acceptable. Light feathering on the legs is acceptable.

Fault: Rough, curly, harsh coat.

Color

Solid, rich liver or dark chocolate. A small white spot on the chest is permissible.

Disqualifications: Albinism.

Height and Weight

Height

Males - 15½ to 18 inches; Females - 14 to 16½ inches.

Weight

Males - 30 to 40 pounds; Females - 25 to 35 pounds.

Gait

Effortless, active and merry, with balanced front reach and rear drive. As speed increases, legs tend to converge toward a center line of travel.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.

The docking of tails and cropping of ears in America is legal and remains a personal choice. However, as an international registry, the United Kennel Club is aware that the practices of cropping and docking have been forbidden in some countries. In light of these developments, the United Kennel Club feels that no dog in any UKC event, including conformation, shall be penalized for a full tail or natural ears.