Boykin Spaniel vs. Cocker Spaniel: What's the difference?

Until the 19^th-century, Spaniels were known as either land Spaniels or water Spaniels, with no distinct breeds. With the rise in popularity of purebred dogs, written breed standards, and dog showing, the individual Spaniel breeds began to be separated.

Boykin and Cocker Spaniels look different. Boykins are easier to groom. They are more independent, tolerant of being alone, and child friendly. They require more active owners and exercise. Cockers are more sensitive, needy, and stranger-friendly. They are better for new owners and apartments.

If all Spaniel breeds had the same origins, how different can they be? The answer is: very different! While there are similarities–after all, they were bred for the same purpose–the differences between a Boykin Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel can be easily seen and observed. Does this mean that one Spaniel breed is better than another? Not at all. It depends on what you are looking for, what will suit your lifestyle, and if you can provide the right home for the Spaniel.

If you are trying to decide between a Boykin Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel, or even if you are simply just interested in what the difference may be, the following article has been composed with the intention of providing you with a comprehensive comparison of these two fantastic breeds.

Questions To Ask Before Deciding On A Boykin Spaniel Or Cocker Spaniel

You have made the decision to open your heart and home to a dog; you have scoured the internet and whittled your choices down to two breeds: Boykin Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels. Here are a few helpful questions for you to ask yourself before making a choice between these two dog breeds. When you have established the answers to these questions, you can see which Spaniel will be the better fit.

How much time can I devote to dog grooming?
Will I get frustrated with a needy dog?
Will I be overwhelmed by an intense dog?
Do I live with children, or are children frequently in my home?
Will my dog need to be good with strangers?
How much time do I have to exercise my dog?
How often and how long am I away from home?
Where do I live? (City/countryside; yard/apartment; hot climate/cold climate)
How much money can I pay for my dog?

Boykin Spaniel vs. Cocker Spaniel: Classification, Lifespan, And Appearance

	BOYKIN SPANIEL	COCKER SPANIEL
AKC Classification	Sporting group	Sporting Group
UKC Classification	Gun Dog Group	Gun Dog Group
Alternative Classification	Bird Dog – Flusher	Bird Dog – Flusher
Other Names	Boykin; Swamp Poodle; Little Brown Dog	American Cocker Spaniel (in the UK and other parts of the world)
Lifespan	10 – 15 Years	10 – 14 Years
Male Height	15.5 – 18 in	14.5 – 15.5 in
Female Height	14 – 16.5 in	13.5 – 14.5 in
Male Weight	30 – 40 lbs	25 – 30 lbs
Female Weight	25 – 35 lbs	20 – 25 lbs
Coat Length	Medium	Medium to long
Coat Characteristics	Flat, wavy, or curly	Silky; flat to slightly wavy
Undercoat Characteristics	Thick	Moderate
Feathering	Light feathering on ears, chest, legs, and belly	Chest, ears, abdomen, and legs are well-feathered
Coat Colors	Solid liver color, including light to dark chocolate; white patch on chest (sometimes)	Solid black; black with tan points; any solid color other than black; brown with tan points; small white patch on chest (sometimes)
Hypoallergenic Coat	No	No
Head Shape	Not domed; medium length muzzle	Domed; muzzle is short but proportional to skull length and not flattened
Ears	Hang down; long	Hang down; very long; well-feathered
Eyes	Yellow, amber, or brown (various shades); not protuberant	Dark brown; round, but not protuberant

Summary Of The Main Classification, Lifespan, And Appearance Differences

Boykin Spaniels are larger and heavier than Cocker Spaniels.
Boykin Spaniels have shorter coats with less feathering than Cocker Spaniels.
Cocker Spaniels come in more colors than Boykin Spaniels.
Cocker Spaniels have domed heads, proportionally broader muzzles (compared to skull size), with heavier jowls than Boykin Spaniels.
Cocker Spaniels have longer and hairier ears than Boykin Spaniels.

Boykin Spaniel vs. Cocker Spaniel: Grooming Requirements

	BOYKIN SPANIEL	COCKER SPANIEL
Maintenance Intensity	Minimal	High
Brushing	2 – 3 times per week	Daily; if tangled or matted, be gentle
Bathing	Once a month; when dirty from outdoor work or activity	Once a week if the coat is kept long; every two weeks if the coat is kept shorter; wash thoroughly and ensure no shampoo remains on the substantial coat
Trimming and Clipping	Not necessary; however, if feathers become matted, may have to trim them	Trim once a week if the coat is kept long; can clip to maintain at a shorter length
Shedding	Seasonal	Occasional
Ears	Checked daily; cleaned weekly; hair carefully brushed weekly	Checked and cleaned daily; hair carefully brushed daily
Nails	Trim monthly; no special notes	Trim every few weeks; no special notes
Teeth	Brush regularly; no special notes	Brush regularly; no special notes

Summary Of The Main Grooming Differences

Boykin Spaniels require lower overall grooming maintenance in comparison to the Cocker Spaniel.

Boykin Spaniel vs. Cocker Spaniel: Temperament

The following information is a generalized temperament based on the breed standard and the most commonly seen behaviors and characteristics. Other factors, such as personality, age, quality of breeding, socialization, training, history, and living environment can all influence a Spaniel’s temperament.

Temperament is also not a definitive point but rather a scale. For example, many individual dogs can be described as friendly, but there are different and subjective degrees of friendliness, from sweet to exuberant.

	BOYKIN SPANIEL	COCKER SPANIEL
General Temperament (AKC)	Friendly, eager, and lovable	Gentle, smart, and happy
Affectionate (to family)	Very affectionate to the whole family	Very affectionate to the whole family
Independence	Moderate	Low
Intensity	High	Low to moderate
Sensitivity	Moderate to high	High
Stubborn	Possible	Possible
Aggression Level	Low	Low (can be snappy if not well-socialized and trained); badly bred Cockers can have high aggression levels
Timid	No	Possible
Energy Level	Moderate to high	Moderate to high
Attention Requirements	Moderate to high	High
One-Person Dog	Possible, not to the exclusion of other family members	Possible, not to the exclusion of other family members
General Friendliness	High	High
Child Friendliness	Moderate to high; may not be happy with rough treatment from very young children	Low to moderate, especially with small children; better if raised with the children
Stranger Friendliness	Moderate	Moderate to high
Dog Friendliness	High	High
Cat Friendliness	Moderate if raised with them	Low to moderate
Other Pet Friendliness	As bird dogs, pet birds may be a problem	As bird dogs, pet birds may be a problem
Protectiveness	Low	Low; can be vocally protective of territory
Prey Drive	High	High
Barking Potential	High	High

Summary Of The Main Temperament Differences

Boykin Spaniels are more independent and intense than Cocker Spaniels.
Cocker Spaniels are more sensitive and needy than Boykin Spaniels.
Boykin Spaniels are typically better with children than Cocker Spaniels.
Cocker Spaniels are friendlier towards strangers than Boykin Spaniels.

Boykin Spaniel vs. Cocker Spaniel: Exercise And Training Requirements

	BOYKIN SPANIEL	COCKER SPANIEL
Socialization	Required	Required
Intelligence Level	High	High
Endurance	High	High; their small size means they work harder to keep up, so bear this in mind
Eager to Please	Very	Very
Exercise Needs	Moderate to high	Moderate
Exercise Frequency	1 – 2 times a day	1 – 2 times a day
Exercise Duration	1 – 2 hours	30 minutes
Exercise Intensity	Moderate to high*	Moderate
Owner Requirements	Active	Moderately active
Exercise Companion	Excellent; can accompany owner when cycling, hiking, kayaking, and running	Good; can accompany owner on short to moderate walks
Toilet-Training	No breed issues	No breed issues
Training Methods	Positive preferred	Positive only
Mandatory Training	Obedience	Obedience
Crate Training	Possible	Possible
Canine Sport Training Options	Agility; field events; hunting; rally, tracking	Agility; field events; hunting
Off-Leash	Only with good training	Only with good training
Affinity for Water	High	Moderate
Self-Exercise	Possible, but prefer companion exercise with owners or other dogs	Unlikely because they are very attached to their owners

* Caution: Boykin Spaniels are at risk of exercise-induced collapse and should be tested for the genetic markers and closely monitored during all exercise sessions.

Summary Of The Main Exercise And Training Requirement Differences

Boykin Spaniels require more exercise than Cocker Spaniels.
Boykin Spaniels require a more active owner and lifestyle than Cocker Spaniels.
As waterfowl bird dogs, Boykin Spaniels have a higher affinity for water than Cocker Spaniels.

Boykin Spaniel vs. Cocker Spaniel: Adaptability And Living Environment

	BOYKIN SPANIEL	COCKER SPANIEL
Good for First-Time Owners	No	Possibly
Good for Single-Person Homes	Moderately; owner must meet dog’s exercise and attention requirements	No; the high attention requirements of these dogs are better shared by many people
Good for Multi-Person Homes	Yes	Yes
Alone Time	Tolerate some	Intolerant; prone to separation anxiety
Indoor Living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not good for apartment living	Should be allowed indoors with family; can adapt to apartment living
Outdoor Requirements	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day	Should be taken outside each day
Toleration of Cold Weather	Moderate	Good
Toleration of Hot Weather	Good	Moderate
Wanderlust	Possible to likely	Unlikely to possible

Summary Of The Main Adaptability And Living Environment Differences

Cocker Spaniels are a better choice for novice owners than Boykin Spaniels.
Boykin Spaniels are more tolerant of being left alone for a few hours than Cocker Spaniels.
Cocker Spaniels can adapt to apartment living, whereas Boykin Spaniels are not suited to apartments without free access to a yard.

Boykin Spaniel vs. Cocker Spaniel: Health Concerns

One of the primary ways to reduce the risk of your Spaniel developing any of these disorders is to get them from a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders will test breeding pairs for these conditions before breeding with them. They will also often test the puppies before selling them. Not all conditions can be predicted, but a reputable breeder will not breed with dogs that have a history of adverse health conditions.

	BOYKIN SPANIEL	COCKER SPANIEL
Exercise-Induced Collapse	Prone	Should be tested
Joint, Ligament, Muscle Conditions	Hip dysplasia	Hip dysplasia; Patella luxation
Cardiovascular Conditions	Pulmonic stenosis	No breed issues
Blood Conditions	Hemophilia A	Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Eye Conditions	Juvenile cataracts; distichiasis	Progressive retinal atrophy; glaucoma
Ear Conditions	Watch for infections caused by excessive swimming	Prone to ear infections
Skin Conditions	No breed issues	Primary seborrhea
Allergies	No breed issues	Common
Rage Syndrome	No breed issues	Rare but most frequently documented in Cocker Spaniels
Potential for Obesity	Moderate to high	High

Brief Descriptions Of These Health Conditions

Exercise-induced collapse: Dogs with this disorder will not tolerate strenuous or excessive exercise. If they exercise too much, they will lose partial to total neuromuscular control of their movements and may collapse. The dogs will recover from these episodes, but episodes should be avoided completely to ensure the best health for your dog.
Hip dysplasia: This condition describes a deformity of the hip joint resulting in excessive wearing, gradual deterioration, and eventually complete loss of function.
Patella luxation: Dogs with this condition have recurring, semi-permanent, or permanent kneecap dislocation. There are different grades of Patella luxation; some are momentary dislocations that correct themselves; others require surgical correction.
Pulmonic stenosis: This is a congenital condition characterized by constriction of the pulmonary heart valve, interfering with the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs.
Hemophilia A: This is a congenital blood clotting disorder that increases the chance of trauma-induced or spontaneous internal bleeding.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: This disease results in the spontaneous destruction of red blood cells, interfering with oxygen transport around the body.
Juvenile cataracts: Cataracts describe a clouding of the lens in the eye and are usually associated with age. Juvenile cataracts can develop even in puppies.
Distichiasis: In this condition, eyelashes grow in abnormal locations on the eyelid, typically on the underside of the eyelid, in which location they cause irritation to the eyeball.
Progressive retinal atrophy: This is a degenerative disorder affecting the photoreceptors of the retina and leading to blindness.
Glaucoma: Dogs with glaucoma have a build-up of pressure in the eyeball. It is a painful ocular disease and can lead to blindness.
Primary seborrhea: In this condition, the skin produces an excess of sebum, which irritates the skin, causing scaling, flaking, itchiness, and redness.
Rage syndrome: This is characterized by explosive, inexplicable aggression towards someone (person or animal). It is episodic, and once the episode is over, the dog will act as if nothing happened. It is thought to be a form of epilepsy.

Boykin Spaniel vs. Cocker Spaniel: Cost

Boykin Spaniels are rarer than Cockers Spaniels and tend to cost more. Looking at the AKC-associated puppy breeders, Boykin Spaniel puppies are sold for an average of $2500, while Cocker Spaniel puppies are sold for an average of $1800.

Rescuing a Boykin Spaniels or a Cocker Spaniel will cost less and may even level the field in terms of the purchase price. You can approach Spaniel rescue organizations or animal shelters and ask them if they have any Boykins or Spaniels that need a home.

Conclusion

Boykin Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels are both flushing bird dogs used for hunting. They are very different in their appearance. Although they share many similarities of temperament and requirements, there are enough differences that one of these dogs may be the perfect match for you, while the other one may be quite unsuitable.

Boykin Spaniels need experienced, active owners, a yard, lots of exercise, and minimal grooming. Cocker Spaniels are more suited to novice owners and apartment living; they require less exercise than a Boykin Spaniel but significantly more grooming.

Boykin Spaniels are more independent and intense dogs, but they tolerate being left alone for a few hours at a time. Cocker Spaniels are more sensitive and needy, and they are very unhappy when left alone.

Both Spaniels are friendly with their families and bond closely with them. A Boykin Spaniel is better with children than a Cocker Spaniel, but a Cocker Spaniel is friendlier towards strangers.

To choose between these two excellent bird dog breeds, you really have to consider which breed will best suit your personality and home environment.