• Free shipping on orders $75+
  • Orders placed before 4pm CT ship same day
  • Orders so fast you'll freak — we ship within the hour

Boykin Spaniel

At a Glance

Built for Southern swamp hunting. Dove, duck, turkey. Compact enough to work from a boat.
From South Carolina, USA. The only spaniel developed entirely in America. AKC/BSS registry.
Temperament Eager, affectionate, energetic, people-oriented. Handler-focused. Easy to live with.
Coat Medium-length, wavy to curly. Rich liver (brown) only. Water resistant. Requires regular brushing.
Size 25–40 lbs
Live with Excellent family dog. Gentle, affectionate, good with children. Real off switch when exercised.
Best for hunter who wants a compact, versatile flushing spaniel that works from a boat and fits into family life.
Famous for The state dog of South Carolina. Built for the low country. Small enough for the boat, tough enough for the swamp.

Origin

The Boykin Spaniel is the only spaniel breed developed entirely in the United States — and it was built from the ground up for hunting. The breed traces to a small stray dog found near a church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in the early 1900s. Whit Boykin, a hunter and dog breeder, took the dog in and developed it into a compact, versatile hunting spaniel specifically suited to the swamps, flooded timber, and turkey hunting of the South Carolina lowcountry.

The Boykin was bred to be small enough to ride in a boat without tipping it — a practical requirement for the swamp hunting it was designed for. It was recognized by the AKC in 2009 and is the state dog of South Carolina. It remains one of the most popular hunting spaniels in the American South.

Original Purpose

A compact, versatile hunting spaniel built for Southern swamp hunting — flushing and retrieving ducks and doves from flooded timber and marshes, and flushing wild turkey. Small enough to work from a boat, tough enough to handle the heat, water, and heavy cover of the South Carolina lowcountry.

Hunting Style

The Boykin is a flushing and retrieving spaniel — it quarters cover, flushes birds within gun range, and retrieves on land and water. It is an exceptional dove and duck dog in the South, and it is also used for turkey, quail, and upland birds. Its compact size makes it practical for boat hunting in a way that larger retrievers are not.

It is not a pointing dog. It works close, quarters cover, and flushes — the classic spaniel style. In the right terrain and for the right game, it is one of the most practical and capable hunting dogs in the South.

Temperament

Eager. Affectionate. Energetic. People-oriented.

The Boykin is one of the more handler-focused spaniels. It wants to work with you, checks in regularly, and responds enthusiastically to training and engagement. It is affectionate, social, and genuinely warm — a dog that integrates naturally into family life and hunting life with equal ease.

It is an active dog that needs daily exercise and mental engagement. A Boykin with nothing to do will find something to do.

Coat Type

Medium-length, wavy to curly coat with moderate feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and belly. Water resistant and functional in the field. Requires regular brushing and occasional trimming to maintain.

Color: Rich liver (brown) only. The Boykin's distinctive solid liver coat is a breed hallmark — no other colors are accepted in the breed standard. A small white spot on the chest is permissible.

Trainability

Excellent. The Boykin is intelligent, eager to please, and responds well to positive, consistent training. It does not require heavy pressure and does not respond well to harsh handling. Its handler focus and genuine desire to work make it one of the more intuitive spaniels to develop.

First-time hunting dog owners who are committed to training and exercise will find the Boykin one of the most accessible hunting spaniels available.

What It's Actually Like to Live and Hunt with a Boykin

The Boykin is the hunting dog that fits into a hunting life without demanding you rebuild your setup around it. It rides in the boat, works the swamp, flushes, retrieves from the water, and comes home to be part of the family. It is practical, capable, and genuinely pleasant to be around.

In the dove field it is exceptional. In flooded timber it is in its element. On quail it quarters and flushes with enthusiasm. It is not a specialist — it is a practical hunting dog that does what needs to be done.

At home it is affectionate, social, and easy to live with. A well-exercised Boykin has a real off switch. Give it work, give it exercise, give it your time — and it will give you one of the most practical and rewarding hunting partnerships in the spaniel world.

Family Compatibility

Excellent. The Boykin is one of the most family-friendly hunting spaniels. It is gentle, affectionate, and good with children. It bonds with the whole family and integrates naturally into active households. Its moderate size and manageable energy make it one of the more practical hunting dogs for families who also want a house dog.

Common Misconceptions

"The Boykin is just a Southern dog."
The Boykin was developed in the South for Southern hunting conditions, but it is a capable hunting spaniel in any terrain where a flushing and retrieving dog is appropriate. Its compact size and versatility make it practical well beyond the lowcountry.

"The Boykin can't handle cold water."
The Boykin was bred for swamp hunting, not Arctic conditions — but it retrieves from cold water willingly and capably in typical hunting conditions. Its coat provides reasonable insulation. In extreme cold, like any spaniel, it benefits from a vest.

Best For

  • Dove, duck, and turkey hunters in the American South
  • Hunters who work from boats in flooded timber and marshes
  • Upland hunters who want a compact, versatile flushing spaniel
  • Families who hunt and want a dog that integrates naturally into both worlds
  • First-time hunting dog owners committed to training and exercise

Registry & Organizations

  • AKC — American Kennel Club (recognized 2009)
  • BSS — Boykin Spaniel Society (original registry, founded 1977)
  • HRC — Hunting Retriever Club

Testing: AKC Hunt Tests. BSS hunting tests also available.

Related Breeds

American Water Spaniel · English Cocker Spaniel · Labrador Retriever · Flat-Coated Retriever

If You Like the Boykin, Consider These