Today we take a look at the Boykin Spaniel, also known as the Little Brown Dog (LBD). The Boykin Spaniel was ratified as South Carolina’s state dog in 1985 and is another true American breed dog, meaning that its ancestors were bred with mutts and curs found by colonists to America’s shores.
Origin
The little Spaniel-esque dog displayed some talent for retrieving, and so this banker took the dog home and sent it to a breeder friend of his.
Whit Boykin experimented with crossbreeding this little dog, and eventually created a small river-dog that was a superb turkey dog and waterfowl retriever. This little dog eventually became the foundation of the breeding stock used to create Boykin Spaniels today.
Description
The Boykin Swampdog, as it is also known, can stand up to 17 inches tall and weigh up to 40 pounds. A Boykin Spaniel’s fur comes in two different varieties, being either smooth and sleek or loose and curly. One thing that does not change within the breed and marks out a Boykin Spaniel is the loose, curly fur on their paddle-shaped ears.
Boykins are considered great family dogs. They are attentive and easily trainable, and require nothing but love and affection. As long as a Boykin Spaniel receives proper attention and exercise, they will be capable of adapting to a variety of situations.