If you are considering a Boykin Spaniel as a pet, you probably have lots of questions. You may be wondering about their grooming requirements, what they eat, how big they grow, and how high can a Boykin Spaniel jump.
In most cases, the height that a Boykin Spaniel will jump is directly relative to its height at its withers. On average, this number is 16 inches, but it will vary from dog to dog. Some Boykins average as high as 21’4 on their jumps, while others measure as low as 14’5.
The Boykin Spaniel is a very energetic breed that loves to work and train with its owner. It will work harder than a lot of other breeds and is proficient in many activities, such as therapy work, obedience training, dock diving, hunting, and working ability.
These dogs are great as agility dogs due to their intelligence, athleticism, resourcefulness, and eagerness to please. They are also known to be moderately high jumpers and do well at navigating an obstacle course where weaving, dodging, tunnels, and jumping are necessary.
But how do their jumping skills measure up to other types and breeds of dogs? Is jumping really healthy for your canine friend? Let’s find out.
The Boykin As An Agile Jumping Dog
Regarding this dog’s jumping ability and heritage, it is interesting to note that the Boykin Spaniel is known as the dog that “won’t rock the boat.”
While humankind may take that to mean that this breed won’t cause issues, the real reason for this analogy is actually much simpler.
Boykins were quite agile at retrieving for hunters, both on land and on water, but these medium-sized dogs were exactly the right stature not to rock the boat when jumping in and out of it.
While this doesn’t speak to how high the Boykin can actually jump, it is an interesting tidbit into its agility while doing so.
How to Predict How High Your Dog Can Jump
When it comes to how high each dog breed can jump, the general rule of thumb is that they will average about 1 to 3 times their height.
This means that a larger dog that is healthy and not overweight could conceivably jump as high as 6 feet. This also means that a smaller dog, such as the tiny teacup breeds, would only be able to manage a few inches.
If you are curious to know your dog’s potential on how high it can jump, you can measure the animal from its withers. This is the highest point of the dog’s body at the shoulders.
It is important to note that while most dogs can jump up to 3 times as high as this measurement, this is not always the case. You may want to check with this Affordable Agility Guide to learn more information about judging your dog’s potential jumping height.
How Boykins’ Jumping Height Compares With Other Dogs
While a dog’s jumping height directly correlates with its height, it is interesting to see the difference in the average jumping height of various breeds.
In some types, the dog’s agility makes it possible for it to jump even higher than its close counterparts, which is a deviation from the withers measurement rule.
Boykin Spaniels vs. Cocker Spaniels Jumping Height
While a Boykin tends to jump anywhere from 14 to 21 inches high, a Cocker Spaniel is extremely agile and can easily fly over a 3 or 4 feet fence. There is a difference in the height of the 2 dogs, but agility is also a factor.
Although both breeds may look very similar and be close in size, the agility of the Cocker Spaniel helps it to typically jump higher. This is important to know if you are considering the two breeds for a pet and have only a 4-foot fence in your backyard.
Jumping Height of the Springer Spaniel
The Springer Spaniel is also a known jumper, even though it can typically only jump about 2 feet without any leverage. The issue with these dogs and jumping is that when even the slightest leverage is added to the equation, they can very easily scale over the top of a fence that is 5 or 6 feet tall.
The prey drive of a Springer Spaniel is very high, which can lead to a high desire to jump when it sees a squirrel, cat, or other animals that make it want to give chase. Their loyal and friendly nature makes them excellent pets, but they were bred to be hunting and working dogs.
High Jumping Breeds
Border Collies are another breed that will jump as high as 6 feet if given a chance. Bred to herd cattle, sheep, and other farm animals, the Border Collie does not do well in small areas and tends to escape by going over the fence.
The German Shepherd is also known for its high jumping ability – it can reach heights of 4 to 6 feet. They were some of the first herding dogs, and they do better when given something to do rather than left to their own devices.
On the other hand, the Labrador is more adept at fetching things and does not tend to herd other animals as much. They are still able to jump as high as 4 to 6 feet but are less likely to scale the fence as some other large breeds do.
A Belgian Malinois may jump as high as 9 feet in the air, which can be quite spectacular to see. They make excellent police and protection dogs, but they need a firm owner and don’t do well at being fenced in.
Is Jumping Good for Your Boykin?
Whether or not jumping is good for a dog is very dependent on factors such as age, health, and the breed of the animal. Puppies under the age of 15 months should not start jump training since their growth plates have not yet hardened.
Dogs with long spines and short legs, such as the Datsun, are also more prone to suffer an injury while jumping.
Allowing dogs to jump on hard surfaces, such as hardwood or tile floors, can be harmful to them. They risk injury if they slip, and the impact of the jump can be too much for their joints.
Jumping on grassy areas is the best choice for any breed. Training Boykins to jump can be a great way to give them the exercise they require while fulfilling their need to please their owners and get attention.
Keep in mind that too much jumping can increase the risk of arthritis in any breed, so be sure that you are following guidelines when training your Boykin to jump.
Conclusion
As you can see, Boykin Spaniels can jump relatively high and are very eager to please their owners. Too much jumping can be harmful, however, so it is important to take care when training your pet to do so.
We hope this article has been informative in showing how high Boykin Spaniels can jump and the jumping height in some other breeds. Feel free to explore our site for more on your favorite canines!
