Boykin - AKC or BSS?

[Dave Diefenderfer]

I meet a couple sweet Boykins this past week while on vacation in SC. I have always had Labs, but have also had an interest in the AWS as an alternative. The Boykin just hit a soft spot in my heart. They were so friendly, and calm, and driven all at the same time. Not ready to pull the trigger yet, but started perusing the interwebs... With my Labs, I ran obedience trials, Hunt tests, judged Hunt Tests, and a Field Trial, so I appreciate the "standard" to compare pedigrees..... But have been made aware of the Boykin Spaniel Society registry and that it might be more complete than the AKCs? Do we have any knowlegeble Boykin people on the forum?

 

[HenryHawthorne]

First, I love Boykins - great dogs, and can be excellent field and water dogs. My last dog was a Boykin, lovely little dog and sweet as could be - but hated water and was gun/noise shy. And crazy as a loon (not in a bad way). In my experience, they're almost all a bit kooky, relative to Labs. Most of the time in a good way (unique personalities). Lots of breeding for appearance, so make sure to find a kennel that breeds for field work. Also expect a bit higher maintenance, and frequently (in my limited experience) soft, so training can take some patience and time. Mine required 2 surgeries in the first couple years to remove things he'd eaten that he shouldn't have (sock and tampon, as I recall) - and after talking with other owners that doesn't seem uncommon (ingesting foreign objects, not surgeries). I also had to take away dog beds as he would eat them. So, keep away soft, edible but indigestible items when not under full supervision. They do totally capture your heart, though. Good luck!

 

[Carl]

If I ever get another dog, it will be a Boykin.
My aunt & uncle have one they rescued. They don't hunt, but the dog was obviously trained to hunt.
Not sure why it ended up in rescue, it's friendly, well behaved, not shy of fireworks, thunderstorms or loud noises, and birdy as heck.
Loves the water and loves to fetch.
Thats all I got.

 

[john f skipper]

I meet a couple sweet Boykins this past week while on vacation in SC. I have always had Labs, but have also had an interest in the AWS as an alternative. The Boykin just hit a soft spot in my heart. They were so friendly, and calm, and driven all at the same time. Not ready to pull the trigger yet, but started perusing the interwebs... With my Labs, I ran obedience trials, Hunt tests, judged Hunt Tests, and a Field Trial, so I appreciate the "standard" to compare pedigrees..... But have been made aware of the Boykin Spaniel Society registry and that it might be more complete than the AKCs? Do we have any knowlegeble Boykin people on the forum?

Hi Dave i have owned labs a chessie both great dogs no complaints. Now I own 2 boykins a 9yr old female 3yr old male. They just get the job done no issues tons of drive. I hunt the coastal bays of MD plenty of current and tide to deal with. These dogs will warm your heart I have people laugh at me at the ramp in the morning at there size. I just say they do what your dogs does fetch birds. No problem with the cold here just put a vest on them. Any other questions just ask.

 

[Noah Shaver]

I have noticed a huge uptick in Boykin popularity and breeding in the past few years of being around hunt tests. I am in the Boykin capital of the world here in the Carolinas.

In my opinion, the popularity seems to be a pretty good thing for the breed as the intentions seem pure.

I've seen boykins run a ton of hunt tests. There are probably 2 or 3 out of a hundred that I would hunt with. Man they are some finicky dogs. That being said, I love them. They have a great personality and I really do think they are great family dogs. Fun to be around. Just do not expect your boykin to be a Labrador when it comes to waterfowling ability. There are a very select few that can compete at the level that Labradors do week in and week out.

If you are willing to work out the individual quirks of your dog and understand that it's not a Labrador I think you will be a very happy Boykin owner.

 

[Kris Schaumburg]

There are a lot of breeders out there, and a lot of variation in the breed. I will try not to be long winded in regards to Noah's comments, but maybe maybe 1% of the labs in the US hunt and listen. Then fractionate that down to who can pass a hunt test, then some tiny fraction can run a field trial. I don't think thats terribly different in the boykin world. Start from that mentality. Then if you really want to run hunt tests, I think you need a 40# plus male (even to just sit high enough to see marks). I would try to find one from the Chief lines. I dogsat someone else's last weekend. He was a different breed than mine.

 

[Tim Clark]

I won’t consider myself knowledgeable on the breed, but I frequently see Carl Schwenker (Long Island) at hunt tests with his boykins. They all do great and seem to have the drive for the game and hunting. AKC page here: https://marketplace.akc.org/breeder/southbayboykinspaniels

He’s been breeding them for some time. Could be worth a call to learn more about what to be looking out for and what lines will be up for the task of hunting.

 

[Tom Ryan]

I’ve got two Boykins. Tucker is two years old and Stella is still a pup. I wanted a Boykin instead of a lab due to their size, had a yellow lab prior. Yes they can be a little softer than a lab so you must be patient but they are amazingly smart. Tucker knows when it’s hunt/work time and when it’s good off or be lazy on the couch with mom time. We were only going to have two dogs total in the house but decided to get the puppy because of how well behaved Tucker is. 10/10 recommend.

 

[T Salvig]

Can’t go wrong with a Boykin or AWS.

Both are considered little brown dogs!!

My AWS is now 10 and still going strong, This was a retrieve during my daughter’s first youth hunt this past Spring. It may be her last retrieve unless I come up with an easy hunt this fall.

Her replacement will definitely be another little brown dog. Should be plenty of reputable breeders in GA/SC area.