So the rib is finally ready to have another dog 2 years after we had to put down our last one (and 3 years after the other) and we're checking things out.

She's set on another chocolate lab but we were at an event out in Bridgeland yesterday and came across a breed I'd heard of but never seen in person, the Boykin spaniel.

I was really impressed and think one might be a good fit. They're a flushing upland breed but evidently have a strong retriever instinct and love water so they're a good all around bird dog. The ones the Houston Boykin club had were very friendly, outgoing dogs and at about 40# not an overwhelming size to be around little kids.

Anybody here have any experience with them? We were at a Halloween party last night at some friends and he's a vet and he said they were a good breed with few genetic predispositions to problems.

A Boykin will bet next dog. There are a few posts I've responded to in ref to this breed.

Friend of mine hunts his for duck and dove. She's fun to watch; especially with wounded duck. Great disposition, and doesn't yap.

In fact, you could almost see her irritation with the lab that kept whining when she would out retrieve him.

Great great dogs!

My Boykin is 9 now, and slowing down. I'm shopping for another as we type. Good flusher for Quail, and loves water work. He has a typical Spaniel disposition, but a bit calmer than Britts. Eat a lot less than a Lab, and no coffee table high tail to deal with.

I highly recommend the breed.

Boykins are great all around hunting dogs and you wouldn't be disappointed. Couple of things to keep in mind

- Be highly selective about breeders. Like Springers and Setters there are going to be show dogs and sporting dogs. Not a lot of dual champions in this breed so make sure you get a good field dog breeder. Speaking of Springers you may want to give those a look too.

- Grooming is going to be an issue if you hunt in Texas. The long coats and curly ears are going to need to be clipped and cropped or you will be picking burrs more than you hunt.

- They are capable upland dogs, however, when they get birdy be ready to shoot. The BS is not going to give you the staunch point like a EP or GSP. Most of the time they are simply going to flush it up.

- Don't let an example like austinrb gave influence you either way. Individual dogs are going to vary so there are going to be plenty of Labs that will out hunt Boykins as well. A good handler shouldn't send 2 dogs on the same retrieve anyway.

Here's the folks I was talking to http://www.texas-trace.com/html/about_us.html

They're definitely field dogs and not show. Being that they were only AKC recognized in 2009 are there really all that many Boykin lines that are show instead of field?

I've just got to get the rib on board with a Boykin over a chocolate lab now.

[This message has been edited by Finn Maccumhail (edited 10/28/2012 7:35p).]

I'm not just talking about AKC/Ring when I say show. I mean anyone breeding Boykins that are not actively hunting or trialing.

Those are great looking dogs.

Really,Gruene? I need to type out a dissertation for your approval on whether or not we properly hunted the dogs? I'm telling the op that the Boykin is a good dog. Lighten the eff up Framcis

Dude, if you got that bent out of shape from that benign of a comment, you're the one that needs to lighten up.

I was able to watch a Boykin work last December in South Texas. It was a young dog (right around a year old I believe). When the guy let the dog out of the kennel it ran about 30 laps around the truck in what seemed like less than 5 seconds. He used it as a flushing dog and the dog was at heel the entire time until he sent it for the flush.

He did some retrieving drills with him and I was impressed. The dog was calm and focused during the drills. The guy also said he was a duck hunting machine. Apparently he had no issues retrieving birds as big as him.

I left impressed with that dog and considered getting one but I have a young shorthair and want to stay focused on developing her during the next couple of years. I will most likely get one though. I definitely like the idea of one over a lab.

I think Texas Trace is probably the most well-known field Boykin breeder in the state.


[This message has been edited by fishag04 (edited 10/28/2012 9:17p).]

Finn: they're good dogs. Like a couple posters already said, go with breeders who hunt the dogs.

Also, if I remember correctly the dog I am talking about above came from a guide who breeds them out of Devine. I had his contact info at one put but not real sure where it is.

I owned a Boykin from Texas Trace for 2 years. I very, very reluctantly had to take him back to the breeder when my first child was born. The dog did not adjust AT ALL to having a child around and not being "number 1" anymore.

I miss him everyday and still converse with Greg at Texas Trace relatively often about my pup.

Make no mistake, Texas Trace dogs are born and bred to hunt. They are incredible. In the short time that I had Zip, he was a machine.

I would recommend this breed without hesitation to those who are familiar with sporting breeds. They are high energy but very sweet. Zip could be a little stubborn at times but nothing you wouldn't expect from a good bird dog with a very strong drive.

I was going to get a Boykin, before I lucked into my Wachtell. Now that Lulu is 5, it may be time to add another member to the family.

Been thinking about a Boykin for a while. If you get one, Finn, I'd be interested to know which breeder you end up with.

Thanks for the info fellas. It will probably be in the spring before they have any available. I'll keep it updated.

Of course, I've got to get the rib on board.

I know where a 2 year old boykin male is that is being given to a good home. On the Texas Hunting Forum, under Gun Dogs.

D-Day: can you elaborate on the jealousy a bit more? The rib and I are about to start trying for a 2nd kiddo (first one is 2).

Also, any experience on how the Boykin handled another dog in the house? I'm fairly certain I can get the wife on board if we get 2 dogs. I've always been of a mind that it's better to have 2 than just 1.

Finn,
can't speak to relation with another dog because he was our only one. That said, I'm sure if you brought him/her in as a pup, he'd be just fine.

Regarding the jealousy...it's actually the main reason I had to give him up (still breaks my heart). He was always a good, friendly dog but when our baby was born he began to whine more. He began to nip at me when I would brush him. He started to get "hot spots" on his paws from where he was nibbling out of anxiety. The straw that broke the camels back is when he began growling at the baby and attempted to lunge at her when I was cradling her in my arms.

Now, with all that in mind, there are plenty of folks who don't have any issues whatsoever with children and Boykins. In fact, they are usually great with kids. In my case though, he began to manifest behaviors I couldn't break him off or abide.