Sporting Group
Boykin Spaniel
Champion Pedigree
Eager
Compact
Sporting Dog
Bred along South Carolina’s Wateree River swamps to flush and retrieve turkey and waterfowl from a small boat, the Boykin Spaniel is a compact, tireless hunting companion. Its size and even temperament made it a natural fit for hunters working narrow blackwater creeks where larger retrievers struggled.
Lifespan
10–15 years.
Did You Know?
The breed traces to a single stray brown spaniel found on the streets of Spartanburg, South Carolina, around 1900, later trained into an exceptional turkey- and duck-hunting dog.
Breed Traits
Size
Males 15.5–18 in. tall, 30–40 lbs; females 14–16.5 in. tall, 25–35 lbs.
Energy Level
High — an enthusiastic hunting companion that needs regular exercise and water access when possible.
Coat & Grooming
Flat to curly medium-length coat, water-resistant; moderate shedding, regular brushing recommended.
Good With Families
Eager to please and good with children; retains strong retrieving and hunting instincts even as a family companion.
Registry Record
Also Known As
The "little brown dog," South Carolina’s state dog.
Origin
South Carolina, USA, early 1900s.
Typical Litter Size
4 to 8 puppies.
Club Recognitions
AKC, UKC
Disposition
Affectionate, energetic, and eager to please; adapts well to both hunting duty and life as a companion, though it thrives on activity and attention.
Coat Colors
Solid liver, chocolate, or dark brown; occasionally a small white patch on the chest.
Working Roles
Upland bird and waterfowl hunting, particularly duck and wild turkey retrieval from small boats.
Health & Wellness
Generally healthy, with some risk of hip dysplasia, exercise-induced collapse, and hereditary eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy.
Notable Boykin Spaniels
South Carolina’s State Dog
Officially designated the state dog of South Carolina in 1985.
Whit Boykin
The Spartanburg banker credited with developing the breed from its founding stray in the early 1900s.
Swamp Poodle
A regional nickname earned from its curly coat and skill working the Carolina lowcountry swamps.
Related Reading
Boykin Spaniel Gifts
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