Boykin Spaniel
South Carolina’s best-kept secret.
- Weight
- 25–40 lbs
- Height
- 14–18 in
- Lifespan
- 10–15 yrs
In short
The Boykin Spaniel is South Carolina’s little brown sporting dog — 25–40 lbs, 14–18 inches tall, living 10–15 years — bred to flush turkeys and retrieve ducks from swamps and small boats. It needs 60–90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise, thrives on training, and is famously eager to please at home.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- you want a merry, eager sporting companion
- you can give 60–90 active minutes a day — swimming a plus
- you want a trainable dog that doubles as a family dog
Think twice if you…
- you want a low-energy couch dog
- you can’t commit to daily vigorous exercise
- the dog would be alone long hours with no outlet plan
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 60–85 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study9.0/10
EnergyAthlete9.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.0/10
SheddingModerate shedder5.5/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Solid liver coat
A rich liver to chocolate-brown coat, flat to moderately wavy and medium in length — solid color is the breed hallmark; small white markings on the chest are allowed.
-
02
Compact sporting build
A sturdy, medium-sized frame — 14–18 inches at the shoulder, 25–40 lbs, slightly longer than tall — built to work swamps and ride in small boats.
-
03
Feathered spaniel ears
Long, pendant ears with feathering that frame the face. The ears need regular checks and cleaning — spaniel ears trap moisture and the breed is prone to ear infections.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 30–40 lbs | 25–35 lbs |
| Height | 15.5–18 in | 14–16.5 in |
| Daily calories | 695–1,110 kcal | 605–1,000 kcal |
| Lifespan | 10–15 yrs | |
| Coat | Medium-length, flat to moderately wavy double coat; solid rich liver to chocolate | |
Personality
Merry, eager, and up for anything. The Boykin Spaniel is a bright, trainable sporting dog with a famously sweet nature — tenacious in the field, gentle at home — and happiest with an owner who gives it both a job and a couch.
With children
Excellent with children — playful, gentle and sturdy. A classic family sporting dog; always supervise, as with any dog.
With other pets
Generally sociable with other dogs. Small pets may trigger the flushing instinct; introduce carefully and supervise.
With strangers
Friendly and outgoing by nature — more likely to greet than guard. Early socialization still matters.
Alone time
A companion breed that wants its people; long solitary days plus under-exercise is the recipe for a destructive Boykin. Keep absences moderate.
Training
-
How often
2–3 sessions daily, 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Socialize heavily between 8–16 weeks with people, children, other dogs, water and new places — the friendly temperament still needs shaping.
-
Self-control
Channel the retrieving drive into structured fetch, dock diving or hunt-style games; teach a rock-solid recall and ‘leave it’ before off-leash freedom.
-
What it works for
Use small, high-value food pieces in short, upbeat sessions — this breed lives to please and shuts down under harsh corrections. Count every piece against the daily treat budget.
Exercise
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- 60–90 minutes of vigorous exercise daily
- Swimming, retrieving and dock diving — water work is this breed’s love language
- Brisk walks, hiking, jogging or biking with its owner
Brain work
- Retrieving drills and hunt-style games
- Agility, dock diving or field training
- Scent games, puzzle toys and training games
Watch for An under-exercised Boykin turns hyperactive and destructive — the daily 60–90 minutes is a floor, not a target. Know the signs of exercise-induced collapse (wobbly hind legs, collapse after intense exertion); stop activity and cool the dog if they appear. Go easy on forced running and jumping until growth plates close (around 12–14 months).
Feeding
An athletic sporting breed that stays lean on 60–90 minutes of daily work; feed two measured meals a day and keep treats to 10% of daily calories. Ears trap moisture — dry them after swimming.
Puppy (4–12 Mos)
- Daily calories
- 500–990 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 50–100 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–5 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 605–860 kcal
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 15%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 60–85 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 780–1,110 kcal
- Protein
- 30%
- Fat
- 20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 80–110 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–6 pieces a day
Senior (8+ Yrs)
- Daily calories
- 520–740 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 12%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 50–75 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (4–12 Mos) | 500–990 kcal | 28% | 18% | 50–100 kcal | 3–5 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 605–860 kcal | 26% | 15% | 60–85 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
| Active / Working | 780–1,110 kcal | 30% | 20% | 80–110 kcal | 4–6 pieces |
| Senior (8+ Yrs) | 520–740 kcal | 28% | 12% | 50–75 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Eye Examination (ACVO) | Eye Examination — by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist, results registered with OFA or CERF | As advised by a vet |
| Patellar Luxation | Patellar Luxation — OFA Evaluation | As advised by a vet |
| Hip Dysplasia | Hip Dysplasia — OFA, OVC or PennHip Evaluation | As advised by a vet |
| Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) | Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) — DNA test from an approved laboratory | As advised by a vet |
| Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) | Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) — DNA test from an approved laboratory | As advised by a vet |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) — DNA test from an approved laboratory | As advised by a vet |
| Ear infections | Check ears for redness, odor or discharge; dry ears after swimming | Weekly |
| Obesity | Weight and body-condition scoring | Every vet visit |
| Dental disease | Dental exam | Yearly |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Boykin Spaniel breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Eye Examination (ACVO)
- Patellar Luxation
- Hip Dysplasia
- Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Also recommended
- Congenital Cardiac Database
- Elbow Dysplasia
Grooming Moderate shedding year-round
Brush 2–3 times a week; trim feathering as needed; check and clean ears weekly — spaniel ears trap moisture; trim nails every 3–4 weeks.
History
Origins
The little brown dog
Around 1905–1910 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, hunter Alexander White adopted a small stray spaniel-type dog, traditionally named Dumpy. Sent to Whitaker Boykin near Camden for training, the little brown dog proved a natural — and Boykin spent the following decades developing a compact spaniel built to flush turkeys and retrieve ducks in the Wateree River swamps, small enough to ride in a canoe.
Standardization
From swamp to show ring
The Boykin Spaniel Society was founded in 1977 to preserve the breed (studbook opened 1979, closed 1982); the United Kennel Club recognized it in 1985. In the 1990s, fanciers formed the Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America to pursue AKC recognition. The AKC recognized the BSCBAA as parent club in 2007 and granted the breed full recognition in 2009 — its 163rd breed — placing it in the Sporting Group. South Carolina had already named it the official state dog in 1985.
Modern Companion
America’s sporting sweetheart
Today the Boykin Spaniel is the AKC’s 64th most popular breed by 2025 registrations — a celebrated dove and waterfowl dog that doubles as a merry, eager family companion. South Carolina still claims it proudly: September 1st is Boykin Spaniel Day.
Questions owners ask
Are Boykin Spaniels easy to train?
Yes — the AKC calls them eager, merry and trainable, and they live to please. Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes), upbeat and reward-based; harsh corrections backfire with this sensitive breed. Start early and stay consistent.
How many calories does a Boykin Spaniel need per day?
An adult Boykin Spaniel (25–40 lbs) typically needs about 605–1,110 kcal per day across adult maintenance to active work: about 605–860 kcal for maintenance and up to 780–1,110 kcal when active. Adjust to body condition and your vet’s advice.
What is the best diet and training treat for a Boykin Spaniel?
Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 60–85 kcal a day in total for an adult Boykin Spaniel of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly 3–4 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.
Are Boykin Spaniels good for apartments or first-time owners?
They can work in apartments only with serious daily exercise — 60–90 minutes minimum — and they suit committed first-time owners who are genuinely active. A sedentary home or long solitary days will not work; a bored Boykin is a destructive one.
How much exercise does a Boykin Spaniel require daily?
Most adults need 60–90 minutes of vigorous exercise every day — swimming, retrieving, hiking, jogging — plus mental work like training games or field drills. Water work is this breed’s love language; a tired Boykin is a merry Boykin.
What health issues are Boykin Spaniels prone to?
Boykin Spaniels are prone to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, eye conditions such as cataracts, exercise-induced collapse, collie eye anomaly and degenerative myelopathy — plus ear infections from those spaniel ears. Ask for the CHIC tests: eye, patella and hip evaluations plus EIC, CEA and DM DNA tests.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Boykin Spaniel needs only 3–4 pieces a day, well inside the 60–85 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Boykin Spaniel ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Boykin Spaniel
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
