Great with families and kids, the Boykin Spaniels make excellent family dogs. They are lively, enthusiastic, loyal to their owners, and great for people who live an active lifestyle.
But do Boykin Spaniels retrieve? In this article, we will dive through their history, learn about their nature, and learn how to train them to retrieve. Read on to learn more.
History of the Boykin Spaniel
According to legend, a little brown dog was discovered stumbling through the streets of Spartanburg, South Carolina, in about 1909. This dog is said to have been the ancestor of the Boykin spaniel.
Boykins have a strong following among dove hunters due to their exceptional heat tolerance. They were initially made to hunt ducks out of modest take-apart ships known as “section boats.” They are tenacious retrievers both on land and in the water.
Boykins spread over an ever-increasing geographic range, thanks to their primarily natural hunting skills, throughout South Carolina and subsequently into neighboring states. It was in 1970 that a registry was created for these talented small gun dogs. Finally, the Boykin Spaniel Society (BSS) was established in 1977.
BSS established a registry, a written standard, and field trial forms for retrieving and upland game activities. The Boykin was designated as South Carolina’s official dog in 1985.
The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2009 and gave the spaniel classification.
Training Boykin Spaniels
Boykin Spaniels are incredibly intelligent and quick learners who’re eager to please their owners, which makes them quite trainable. Parenting one will undoubtedly keep you on your toes because young puppies require a lot of monitoring.
The Boykin spaniel has a great nose, is a good swimmer, and is a simple breed to teach. They are known for their ability to chase out game animals and retrieve them.
They were created to hunt not just ducks but also wild turkeys, which is unexpected given their small size. They’re hunting dogs and weigh no more than 40 pounds; they are perfect for hunting tiny boats.
The Chesapeake Bay retriever, Springer spaniel, American water spaniel, and English cocker spaniel are some gun dogs that may have been crossed to create this breed. Boykins has a well-developed chest and a wavy, fairly curly coat.
In the southern states, dove and quail gunners occasionally employ them in addition to their use on the water.
Tips To Train Your Boykin Spaniel To Retrieve
Below are some tips to help you out:
1. Start With the Basic Training
You need a foundation of basic instructions that all good dogs should know before you can train your puppy to become a world-class retriever.
Start by teaching it to come when called and then go to other basic commands like ‘sit’ and ‘stay.’ Your dog is prepared for the next round of training once it has mastered these commands.
2. Introduce Your Dog to Duck and Goose Decoys To Begin the Duck Dog Training Program
Any item that simulates the fragrance and feel of waterfowl will aid in teaching your dog these sensations. Use a scented training dummy to teach them to fetch and retrieve so they may begin to connect the action with their sense of smell.
3. Take Them to Hunting Blinds and Boats
When your decoy work is finished, take Boykin Spaniel to hunting blinds and boats. Before it becomes adept, you will need to perform practice runs from each station.
By this time, you should start staging simulated hunting scenarios and having your partner toss bumpers from a secret spot. The dog should notice the objects in the air but not the thrower.
Once your dog has mastered that trick, repeat it at least thirty times to ensure memory retention.
Additional Tips
- Training should take a whole month. Dedicate 30 minutes to practice at least once a week. The trick is using encouraging language. In no time, retrieval will become second nature to the dog.
- Refrain from playing around with introductions. It’s similar to assessing your puppy’s training when introducing new items to see how they would react. Your dog might respond well or might be scared.
It may become startled by the sound of a gun being fired. It takes time for a dog to become used to the noise. Spend some time outdoors, get a friend to take some far shots at the sky while you and your pet are nearby, and then closer still.
Your dog will realize that the sound of gunfire is nothing to be terrified of if it observes you being composed and content during the situation.
- When introducing water-based hunting, use caution. Start your dry-land waterfowl hunting with a few decoys on the grass, and as your training goes on, add more. Let your dog inspect the dummy animals.
Discourage it from picking them up by heeling it around and through them. When throwing dummies, start far from the decoys and bring them closer over time. As time goes on, the baits will grow more alluring, putting your skills to the test and needing you to dissuade the dog from showing any interest. - Don’t make your dog swim against its will. Let it enter the water only when it’s ready. Also, don’t start in a chilly or deep area. Coax your dog into the water until it can stand there calmly. Before diving deeper, help it gain confidence.
Final Thoughts
Besides being a good house dog, the Boykin Spaniel is also an excellent waterfowl retriever.
Please note that most Boykin spaniels are very driven by food and attention. Thus, there is no need to use negativity or punishment during training. We hope this article has answered whether they are good retrievers!
