Understanding the Boykin Spaniel (A Valley Way Film)

Seven years ago I saw my first Boykin Spaniel in downtown Auburn, Alabama. Since then, I am consistently told that Boykin's are too short, can't handle cold weather, can't pick up a mallard and they are just too hyper to hunt. So, over the past year and a half I have dedicated the time to help put together a new perception of the Boykin Spaniel. A perception that will help people understand the value of living and hunting with these little brown dogs that we call our family.

[@fredclaymorgan]

My Boykin’s name is Vieuxdoo from north La. this will be his third season duck hunting. He has a count of 167 birds. This season he will he hunted hard. Oklahoma , Arkansas, Texas , Louisiana are planned hunts so far. He has shocked me with his retrieving abilities. I get the best of both worlds with mine. A house pet that plays with the neighborhood children and a great retriever in the field. I see the looks I get when I show up with my little brown dog. I even had a friend that called and had some people down so he needed a dog. When I showed up with his ears flopping in the wind he said that damn sissy thang ain’t gonna pick up no ducks.After that first volley at daylight and he brings them all back I see their whole attitude change to we got something here lol. When we picked up decoys he said said my friend I was dead wrong about your dog as he picked up 19 birds in the fog chasing cripples. He said you bring that floppy eared dog back anytime he gets ready. Lol

[@Concetta20]

I love my Boykin, Milou. We picked him up at a shelter here in Virginia. He was a stray. He can't be used for real hunting because he is scared of loud, sudden noises; but he loves to hunt frogs in our pool. He gets in the water and catches them. He has a soft mouth so he doesn't bite down, which is what he's supposed to do, so as not to damage game. He takes the frog out and puts him down and the frog, no worse for wear, hops away. He loves being wherever the family is, but doesn't overstress when we leave.

[@aardhond]

Anna Ferrara imho its up to Valley Way Kennels to answer to your "problem" ,, my ex wife had a jack russel from a farm seen nothing scared of all by sound training we end up whit a jack russel wish hunted below ground on foxes , badgers , and we even did driven wild boar hunts ,,, en of the season we had a dog wish was not scared anymore and was able to let her run free whitout any problems , movies like platoon and full metal jacket did help allot ,,,

[@Dod-Squad]

It's a shame that majority of the people and breeders have no clue what a boykin is capable of doing. Yes they are good loyal family pets and incredible Hunters but as a service dog they are amazing! Calypso is a S.A.D. Seizure Alert Dog, she alerts me to a oncoming seizure before I have one so gives me time to sit down. Boykins are awesome dogs and I'm one of the lucky few that gets to spend every minute of the day with their dog, the best friend I ever had.

[@flpanhandler7749]

Well spoken put together video. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnmac4769]

Love my little Boykin. She is 2 1/2 years old now. Wonderful loyal dog. Very friendly to everyone. While we don't hunt she learns everything I teach her and follows commands well. She will chase sticks until I get tired. If people knew more about the Boykin everyone would want one.

[@dragonwoode67]

Awesome Michael ❤️

[@twoahalfhoyles6023]

Love my Boykin spaniel. He's getting up in age, but he is the best. They are definitely a working dog and make an awesome family member.

[@1581zebra]

My first Boykin was the most bad ass dog I’ve ever known. That boy was a beast. Currently hunting for my third, and I doubt I’ll ever own another breed.

[@nicholasfreund5419]

I am from Wisconsin how would Boykin handle goose and ducks in the swamp I have only had labs as family dogs never a duck dog

[@1581zebra]

@@nicholasfreund5419 That’s what they were bred for. Read up on them.

[@nccashhomebuyers5065]

Our Boykin is 2 years old now. I will never get another breed my entire life. The best dog I have ever owned.

[@EarlybirdFarmSC]

I love my little brown dog. This was a great narrated video.

[@53kenner]

Having hunted with two American Water Spaniels, I have to believe that the Boykin is descended from that breed. The AWS has a great nose, handles the coldest weather, is tenacious almost beyond belief, and will leave its supper dish if it sees a shotgun. From what I can see, both in looks and in temperament, the Boykin looks like it came from the same stock.

[@tommclarty17]

First two dogs my dad owned were Boykins. Bought from John Chappel in South Carolina. Great video and awesome dogs. Thumbs up all the way from Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada.

[@johnmac4769]

We have had our Boykin for 22 months and she has been a joy. We do a lot of traveling and Clay has always come with us. We have traveled to New England last year and just got back from a 4 month stint in Montana working for the US Forest Service. She loves riding in the truck and exploring. Could not expect more from any dog. Your videos have been very helpful in her training.

[@lucynyu8226]

Nothing better than working spaniel. My uncle always used one. Love to get one for myself

[@harryurban4219]

Very cool video.

[@zacharyfike1071]

Love my 2 Boykins

[@abbywilberding9813]

We own three boykins and they are all related we have had two litters laying by mine (Gus) right now these dogs can just go all day the best dog breed.

[@2NATUR]

Susie is my girl ...boykin. Would not trade her for anything. Even my wife says we have a weird relationship. BTW...I love all dogs

[@jdheelfan]

You should see my little buddy catch a frisbee! That is his favorite exercise.

[@zander457]

I have a Boykin who is a companion. I work him hard daily and like he said in the video, he amazes me every day. Definitely not a pretty boy dog. They’re tough little guys

[@fatimah9575]

I had two lil babies, one of them was a female stray boykin and other one was male but not stray AND GOD I MISS THEM, i miss them sm. They were like my companions, my only buddies:(

[@helenedmister102]

LBD’S are the best. Love them.

[@allenhughes12]

I don't know how I lived as long as I did before I got my Boykin. She's 8 now and we have a 8mo old male too. I'll never own another breed.

[@juliecheatwood2249]

Hey what vest do you have for your dog in this video?

[@Concetta20]

Who told you Boykins weren't good for hunting???? Whoever told you that knows nothing about Boykins. They were specifically bred in South Carolina for hunting and retrieving waterfowl.

[@askeletonsdaisy2440]

SC state's dog

[@Serphyr]

Please do different breeds this is amazing

[@janpavelkovar2248]

Great day, Is it important not to overlook purchasing a dog from a kennel in the general locality that it will spend its life? For example, I live in Virginia, is it better to buy a dog from a kennel in my state instead of somewher midwest or far away? For a better dog for the dogs life and abilities as a waterdog. I'm just looking to decide were is the place to locate a dog.

[@brianlocal3]

How would you rate their shedding levels compared to a Labrador? Do they shed more or less, or about the same?

[@Filling_tags]

Where do you pick up your pups

[@andrewseamans1419]

Would a Boykin be a good dog for Pheasant and Grouse hunting here in New England?

[@gabym255]

Yes, do you have one now?

[@andrewseamans1419]

@@gabym255 I have a Brittany and a Labrador. Wife would like a smaller dog.

[@valeriaadamchick71]

Hi! Are these dogs able to do some search and rescue work? I work with a search and rescue team and I'm interested in the breed and their nose work, have you ever had one trained to become a SAR dog?

[@MsGrannyfrog]

Valeria I am on a team also. 15 Years of GSDs for cadaver work and, getting older, want a smaller dog to do the job..the thought of another pushy working line GSD;.... Transitioning over to historical grave detection. If you are on FB drop me a line, I would like to share notes. I know one doing trailing in GA. I have heard there are two doing LE detection work. Plus we want a dog who can go kayaking with us.

[@KCRunner]

Are you guys still breeding dogs?

[@aardhond]

They seem to be a bit calmer than the eng spaniel ha

[@zo3n1kos]

I wish my friends had found someone like you that understood them. They had their spaniel put to sleep because he became aggressive. They don't realize it was their fault for not providing good leadership and they have gotten multiple dogs and given away in the past. The vet told them to put her to sleep. So ignorant..

[@Filling_tags]

Are you a breeder?