Family needs a dog

D

D-Man

New member
Hello, We recently had to put our 15 year old mixed breed house dog down and really would like to get another family friend.
My wife and I have a four year old daughter and the dog will be a family pet/hunter, in that order. I will hunt but it won't be often. I may spring for some professional training.
So, I could use some help as I have many questions.
First off, the breed I am interested in is a Boykin. But, I can't find any breeder near me (Colorado). Can anyone help me there?
Second, what is everyone's opinion about gender?
Third, if I can't find a Boykin, please suggest another breed. Keep in mind, this is a dog that will be a full time house pet and a part time hunter.
And lastly, if you are a Boykin owner, please tell me all you can about the breed and if this is a dog for our needs.
Any and all opinions are welcome.
Thanks
 
Last year I was surfing boykins to see what is out there. The closest breeder I could find was in Omaha, and several in Texas and Arkansas. Have you searched American water spaniels. I don't think either are going to be easy to find. That s about all I know. Good luck in your search.
 
If you are looking for a good family pet/hunter and can't find a Boykin and would like to stay with that size dog I would recommend either a Springer or a Brittany. Then it would depend if you want a flusher or a pointer.

As far as gender. Having a house dog for the family I would strongly suggest a spayed female. I've had both males and females over the past 40 years and I can say that the spayed females are much easier.

I'm sure you will get many different responses to you questions so in the end you have to do what you feel is best. Whatever you do, make sure the breeder is a reputable breeder and check out the parents (and grand parents if possible) for size, conformation and temperament. Make sure the parents eyes and hips have been checked and are okay. Try not to buy from a "backyard" breeder. Find someone that is in the business to do it right and enhance the breed.
 
Dakotazeb said:
If you are looking for a good family pet/hunter and can't find a Boykin and would like to stay with that size dog I would recommend either a Springer or a Brittany. Then it would depend if you want a flusher or a pointer.

As far as gender. Having a house dog for the family I would strongly suggest a spayed female. I've had both males and females over the past 40 years and I can say that the spayed females are much easier.

I'm sure you will get many different responses to you questions so in the end you have to do what you feel is best. Whatever you do, make sure the breeder is a reputable breeder and check out the parents (and grand parents if possible) for size, conformation and temperament. Make sure the parents eyes and hips have been checked and are okay. Try not to buy from a "backyard" breeder. Find someone that is in the business to do it right and enhance the breed.
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Those are two pretty good choices. I too would agree with a spayed female. They are much easier to deal with than males
 
Thanks for the advice. I will probably get a female and have her spayed at adulthood. If I can't find a Boykin, I will check into Brittany.
As for a Golden, it is just too large of a breed than I want. I've had labs before (males) and they are my favorite breed but I just don't want that large of a dog in our house.
I've never had a pointer before so not sure if that is a consideration.
 
jonnyB said:
Hmmm - Golden Ret. not mentioned; at least include the breed in your thinking.
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+1. Yes, I'm biased but Goldens are great family pets/house dogs as well as hunters. They are great with kids and super loyal, and easily trained. :thumbsup:
 
You might consider a rescue dog. Don't know if there is a Boykin rescue organization but there are GSP and Brittany rescue organizations and both those breeds are good house pets and ready to hunt when the occasion arises. My Brit is a rescue, a great house pet, and an awesome upland hunter. Good luck.
 
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Longtime owner of boykins

They great dogs, extremely good and intense retrievers. Great cold weather and water dogs.

Do your research hips and skin problems are what you want to know about in the line among the normal things.

Tom Ness up in ND is probably one of the best sources for a good boykin pup.

Google him and if hes not still raising them he can point you to a good line.

There are many people breeding them down here in Georgia but I don't know if they know what they are doing.

They are good with people although protective like most spaniels. Definitely not a dog to keep in a kennel, they must be part of the family.

They need a gentle touch and will wilt under the pressure a lab can take so your training should be 99% positive reinforcement and NO rough stuff.

My wife is better with them than I am, I used to train labs and can sometimes get too pushy for optimum results with boykins.

If you want a strictly upland dog I would ask Tom Ness about English cockers, hes into those also, they make a better upland dog IMO but a lesser retriever. I am splitting hairs though.

I've trained a heck of a lot of nice labs and never had one have any more retrieve desire in them than a good boykin, you have to see that to believe it.


I would get a male but that's just my preference.

This first photo is not my dog but it exemplifies what little boykins are capable of, the second one is my current boykin in a rare Georgia snow storm
 
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two breeders I know are breeding good dogs

Brandywine Creek in Indianna

Hollow creek in SC

I would research it well and stay away from backyard breeders you have a dog for a long time.


Boykins are very cool little dogs....one thing they are also burr magnets so if you hunt upland trim them first
 
I have two Boykins that I got from J & L Boykins in Hammond WI. The first I got 6 years ago and he has been enough of a asset to our hunts and a wonderful house companion that I got easy permission to add the second dog two years later.

CSC_2526.jpg
 
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jonnyB said:
Hmmm - Golden Ret. not mentioned; at least include the breed in your thinking.
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D-Man said:
Thanks for the advice. I will probably get a female and have her spayed at adulthood. If I can't find a Boykin, I will check into Brittany.
As for a Golden, it is just too large of a breed than I want. I've had labs before (males) and they are my favorite breed but I just don't want that large of a dog in our house.
I've never had a pointer before so not sure if that is a consideration.
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I have a litter of golden's due on Oct 26. The female is 43 pounds. Not your typical large golden. Great house dogs, wonderful pets, and these guys know how to hunt. Good luck with your search.One word of advice. When you get into the specialty breeds like a Boykin you might have to wait a year or more for a litter and because there are so few breeders do your research and check references before you jump into a 10-14 year commitment.
 
Great information! Thank you everyone. I think for now I will stay with searching for a Boykin pup.
 
BritChaser said:
You might consider a rescue dog. Don't know if there is a Boykin rescue organization but there are GSP and Brittany rescue organizations and both those breeds are good house pets and ready to hunt when the occasion arises. My Brit is a rescue, a great house pet, and an awesome upland hunter. Good luck.
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I did find a Boykin rescue. There were a few dogs available at the time I looked but, the youngest was like 7 years old. I really want to get a dog no older than 2.
 
Contact breeders, I know that Larry from J&L Boykins has placed a couple of adult Boykins from his breeding.
 
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