The AKC describes the Boykin as a medium-sized flushing and retrieving dog known for its rich brown coat, avid, eager, merry and trainable. It was once South Carolina's best-kept secret and is a mellow housedog that works hard when it is outside.
Size and kennel
The AKC lists male Boykins at 15.5 to 18 inches and 30 to 40 pounds, females at 14 to 16.5 inches and 25 to 35 pounds. A single Boykin is comfortable in Economy, about 16 square feet inside and 48 outside, at $52 a night. Two from one home share it for $52 plus $44, which suits most pairs.
The brown coat
Boykins have a medium-length coat that is flat to slightly wavy, with feathering on the legs and ears. On the bath chart effective January 1, 2024, a 26 to 50 pound dog in the medium column is $45; a smaller female in the 16 to 25 pound row is $40. Please ask to confirm. Long ears and feathering pick up burrs and mud, and a brush before drop-off saves tangles.
Merry and busy
A bird dog this size has energy for a long walk and a play session, and it enjoys company. Walks come with every stay and the grass field and fenced play areas give a Boykin room to hunt for scents. Flushing spaniels also like to carry something in their mouths, so one toy from home is a good idea. The AKC says Boykins are mellow housedogs, and they usually relax in their own run once they settle in.
Ears, coat and Dixon heat
Spaniel ears trap warmth and moisture. nearby Vacaville, the closest weather station, averages about 100 days a year at 90 degrees or higher, so the indoor run, air-conditioned in summer, is the cooler spot. Your dog can choose inside or out through the doggie door, and a Kuranda bed keeps it off the floor.
Before a Boykin Spaniel's first stay
Upload the vaccine records to your account, check that they stay current through the last day of the stay, and arrive free of fleas and ticks. Boykins spend time in tall grass, so a quick look in the ears and between the toes before drop-off saves a bath at the owner's cost.