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Veterinarians Opelousas | Copper Crowne Vet Clinic
Phone: 337-407-8600 Fax: 337-407-8555 clientforms@opelousasvet.com
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Boykin Spaniel
“The Palmetto State Dog”
History
In the early 1900s, Alexander L. White adopted a stray dog that turned out to have a lot of aptitude for hunting. He gave the dog, named Dumpy, to his friend, Whit Boykin, an avid hunter who was trying to breed the perfect hunting dog. Dumpy became the main ancestor of the Boykin Spaniel, along with a bit of Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, and American Water Spaniel. Today, they are still great fowl hunting and retrieving companions, but they are also terrific family pets – and they are the official state dog of South Carolina.
Temperament
Boykins are known for being friendly, sociable and family-oriented – so they do best with families who want to spend a lot of time with their dogs. They are active and energetic, and are always up for an adventure. Boykins are stable and adaptable, as long as they get enough exercise and attention, and tend to be great with children and other dogs.
Appearance
These medium-sized spaniels have a medium outer coat with a short, dense undercoat to keep them warm when retrieving in the water. Their outer coat is flat, wavy, or curly with light feathering, and they are found in varying shades of brown. They have feathered ears that hang close to their cheeks, and their big, brown eyes are alert and friendly.
Training
Boykins are smart, hardworking and eager to please, making them easy to train – as long as training is kept positive and fun. They excel in field trials and some of their energy can be channeled into other dog sports, such as agility and flyball. If you are looking for a hunting companion, they are best for dove, pheasant and other upland game, but also for driving deer, and retrieving water fowl since they do well in boats.
Grooming & Care
With their medium coats, they only require brushing once or twice a week, as long as they are kept burr- and tangle-free - some owners opt to trim the feathering to keep this simple. Frequent ear-cleaning is also a good idea, as they can be prone to ear infections. The best care you can provide for a Boykin is a ton of vigorous exercise and plenty of affection.
Health Concerns
Keep an eye on those ears as Boykins are prone to chronic ear infections. They can also be prone to hip dysplasia, patella luxation, and Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC). Ask breeders about the parents’ CHIC certification, which includes hip, knee and eye testing, with optional heart and elbow tests. There is also genetic testing for EIC available.
Famous Boykin Spaniel
The most famous Boykin is Dumpy, the little stray that started it all.
Ideal Owner Activity Level Active Schedule Full-time but comes home for lunch Personal Style Easygoing and casual, Inclusive, Friendly Training Style Positive, Creative and fun Home Anything goes with enough exercise Children Any age is fine Experience Not necessary Quick Facts Size Medium Grooming Check ears frequently Exercise High - needs to walk every day, plus some running and play Training Eager to please, Fast learner, Teach tricks, Teach sports Temperment Friendly, Enthusiastic, Intelligent Challenges These are pretty easy dogs, but they are smart so they can get into trouble when they’re bored. Height 14 to 18 inches Weight 25 to 40 pounds Life 14 to 16 years Home Alone Fine with lots of exercise first With Kids Excellent With Strangers Friendly Availability Available, so choose your breeder carefully
© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Created on Sep 17, 2014.
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The Veterinary Clinic at Copper Crowne Veterinary Services have been providing quality health care services to pets in the Opelousas area for many years. It is our aim to provide quality preventive, diagnostic and medical services so each of your precious pets lives a long and healthy life.
Location Hours Monday 7:30am – 5:00pm Tuesday 7:30am – 5:00pm Wednesday 7:30am – 5:00pm Thursday 7:30am – 5:00pm Friday 7:30am – 5:00pm Saturday 7:30am – 12:00pm Sunday ClosedAppointments with veterinarian start at 9:00 am.
5124 Highway 182 Opelousas, Louisiana, 70570 Phone: 337-407-8600
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