Buyer question
Is a Boykin Spaniel good for beginners?
Yes: our Animal Library rates the Boykin Spaniel 4 out of 5 for beginners (good with an active owner).
Source: the Boykin Spaniel page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Boykin Spaniel in the Animal Library
The detail
Bred in South Carolina to flush wild turkey and retrieve ducks from small boats, the Boykin is a compact, liver-brown spaniel and the state dog. Friendly, eager and energetic, it suits active families who can give it a daily job.
- Temperament
- Eager, friendly, busy
- Best fit
- Active families, hunters
- Trainability
- 4 out of 5 (Eager, food-driven)
- Energy
- 4 out of 5 (1 hr exercise daily)
- Grooming load
- 3 out of 5 (Weekly brush, trim ears)
What to weigh
Boykins need daily exercise and something to do, and they love water and mud. Ear infections are common, and the breed has a high rate of hip dysplasia, so screening matters.