Do not own one but there are two where I hunt. They are brothers. Buddy was raised from a pup by the ranch foreman and is a deer tracking machine. He is great around people he knows but does bark at those he does not. First time I showed up in a mask, he wanted nothing to do with me. Once he smelled me, all was fine. I would have no fear of having him around small children. You can see a picture of him in my thread " hunting is gonna kill me". His brother originally went to another family but for some reason they did not want him after a year. Breeder arranged for him to come to us, as she knew it was a great home for him. He is more shy than Buddy but still a good dog I would not mind having around kids. He also tracks but not as well as Buddy, who started training when he was 8 weeks old.
Some mornings, it just does not feel worth it to chew through the straps!~
Never owned a Boykin; always heard good things about them. I went with a Field Bred English Cocker; worth considering as well, IMO. Mine has amazing drive and nose, loves the water and great companion.
Shot a Boykin field trial once very versatile dogs. boykin owners are "different". We were shooting a thrown launched duck with blind retrieve they aren't labs but pretty good. Several of the ducks got ate after them retrieving to shoreline and it didn't bother owners to much. At a hunt to retrieve trial that got your dog booted instantly. Mb
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
One of the best breeds out there, IMHO. I miss mine terribly. Mine was perfect with people and other dogs. Smart, love water, eager to hunt and please...... What’s not to like? I will echo what Cruiser said, English Cockers are great dogs too. The are very similar to Boykins, both at home and in the field. battue’s boy, Merlot, is a rock star of a dog!
Love my Boykins! I have owned three still have my male; The last papa bought my daughter fell in love with it while she was dog sitting over Labor Day weekend and she renamed it and claimed it as her own! Great family dogs, great hunters all-around great disposition!
Mule Deer, "Yeah, real men don't flinch, especially gun writers!"
My Boykin turned 15 in October. Shes been a fantastic dog. She’s completely calm in the house, but was a fantastic flusher and retriever in her younger days. She has no problems hunting with other dogs, but doesn’t generally like being around them, otherwise. I love Boykins. I’ve hunted with a lot of other boykins and most were pretty business minded in the field.
She’s in the midst of bladder cancer and is completely deaf now. She still thinks she is a puppy and smells my shoes everyday to see if we are going hunting. Good luck
I have been wanting one myself for a while and now that I am retiring soon I have decided it is time to get one. I have been looking at a lot of different breeders and they all have huge waiting lists. I am considering Boykin Spaniel Plantation in Georgia right now. It will still probably be a long wait especially for a female
