The
Boykin Spaniel Club
And Breeders Association of America, Inc.
Official AKC Parent Club of the Boykin Spaniel
"Dedicated to all the things you do with your Boykin Spaniel"
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And Breeders Association of America, Inc. Official AKC Parent Club of the Boykin Spaniel "Dedicated to all the things you do with your Boykin Spaniel" |
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HUNTING STYLE OF THE BOYKIN SPANIEL The Boykin Spaniel
Parent Club: Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America (BSCBAA)
Temperament: The Boykin Spaniel is an amazingly versatile and compact gundog – tenacious, assertive and enthusiastic both flushing and retrieving, yet gentle and affectionate at home. In the field, Boykin Spaniels steal the show. At home, Boykins capture hearts. Fiercely attached to their owners, they are remarkable companion gundogs for all seasons.
FIELD WORKING QUALITIES OF THE BOYKIN SPANIEL
The Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America (BSCBAA) has developed and approved the following description of the breeds hunting characteristics. This description is provided to AKC judges and clubs to identify and assist in preserving the breeds most common and desirable field characteristics. Because training and field experience can affect the degree to which an individual dog exhibits these characteristics the description is only an overview of the average Boykin Spaniel.
The Boykin is a methodical hunter equipped with an excellent nose and strong drive. It does not work the field with speed and flash neither does it work slowly and casually. Typically the Boykin will work a field at a steady and deliberate pace moving side to side in a quartering fashion. Rather than waste its time in unproductive areas of the field, the Boykin naturally may tend to seek out cover that will hold birds. However, they may be directed or guided to hunt the unproductive areas.
It is not unusual to find Boykins that are hard flushing dogs but they are not necessarily the norm. Just before putting a bird to flight the dog will most often hesitate and try to locate the bird through the use of its nose or by sight and then force the bird into flight with an assertive and enthusiastic flush. The AKC Spaniel Hunt Test Regulations state, "Section 5. The Flushing Spaniel should be rated highest for a bold flush. However, a soft flush or momentary stopping is acceptable if the dog, within a very brief period, forces the bird into flight." The description of a soft flush found in these regulations is precisely how many Boykins naturally put a bird up before the gun.
The Boykin will generally work within gun range. The Boykin is truly a versatile dog regularly used for both waterfowl and for upland game by its owners. Being multi-purpose as both a flushing spaniel and non-slip retriever, Boykins may occasionally work close to its handler.
The Boykin is beyond doubt an all-purpose dog and most that are trained are probably cross trained for both flushing and non-slip retrieving. As a multitalented hunting spaniel trained for water fowling as well as upland hunting, the Boykin readily takes to water. Their water entry is variable from deliberate to intense, and their swimming speed is moderately fast.
Boykins should retrieve with reasonable speed, but will generally be somewhat slower on the return as if savoring their moment in the spotlight and anticipated reward of “That’s a good dog” from the handler.
To summarize: The Boykin Spaniel is a methodical hunting dog that covers the field at a steady and deliberate pace utilizing a quartering pattern. The breed normally employs a soft flush and often hesitates just prior to putting the bird to flight. The Boykin Spaniel should demonstrate excellent use of its nose and persistence to work a scent trail. When it comes to retrieving from water, the breed should show willingness to enter the water with entries varying from cautious and deliberate to powerful and bold.
APPROVED BSCBAA Board of Directors April 13, 2010 |
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P.O. Box 107 Sargent, GA 30275
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