Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix

The Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Australian Cattle Dog and the Boykin Spaniel. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Australian Cattle Dog, sometimes known as the Red or Blue Heeler is known for being cautious, energetic, and obedient. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Australian Cattle Dog or the Boykin Spaniel? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix puppies for sale.

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Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Australian Cattle Dog History

Note that this is referring to the Australian Cattle Dog. Australians owe a great debt to all the persons involved in the development of the Australian Cattle Dog or the Cattle Dog. The beef industry would have really struggled without them. The legend has that in 1840, George Elliott, in Queensland, was experimenting with Dingo-blue merle Collie crosses. These dogs were excellent workers. Cattle men started buying these dogs as they were very impressed with their working ability. Two brothers, Jack and Harry Bagust, got their hands on some of these dogs and started improving them. Their first step was to cross a bitch with a fine imported Dalmatian dog. This cross changed the merle to red or blue speckle.
They are extremely alert, hardworking, and clever. This is an extremely high energy dog and needs lots of exercise. They can be very stubborn and will start herding the kids, the cats, or anything else if there isn’t anything else around to be herded. Like all dogs he also needs to be socialized when he is young or he can become shy and fearful.

Boykin Spaniel History

The Boykin has been honored as the State Dog of South Carolina, where she is famous for doing what spaniels do -- hunting turkeys and ducks, a task she still pursues in the company of bird hunters. (If one honorific was not enough, September 1 has been declared Boykin Spaniel Day in South Carolina.) The Boykin is a retriever and upland hunter rather than a pointer. She drives her prey into flight, then retrieves it for her handler. She is a versatile hunter who can move beyond ducks and turkeys to participate in dove and pheasant hunting, and she can travel with her handler by canoe. The Boykin was developed in the early 20th century to hunt turkeys, duck and other waterfowl, as well as upland game like pheasants and doves. He was nicknamed “the little brown dog” for his dark coat and “the dog that doesn’t rock the boat” because he can ride calmly and easily in a canoe.

The Boykin has a delightful origin story. In the early 1900s a pair of hunters adopted a stray dog they called Dumpy. When the dog began to show talent for retrieving, Whit Boykin took over his primary care and training, and he also crossbred Dumpy with other breeds until he had produced an impressive game and fowl retriever who would later be given his name. Dumpy may have been crossbred over the years with the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Springer Spaniel, American Water Spaniel, and Cocker Spaniel until Boykin had produced a dog his was satisfied with, and he became the foundation for the Boykin Spaniel. The AKC recognized the breed in 2009.

Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix Size and Weight

Australian Cattle Dog
Height: 17 - 20 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 31 - 35 lb.
Lifespan: 13 - 15 years

Boykin Spaniel
Height: 14 - 17 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 25 - 40 lb.
Lifespan: 14 - 16 years

Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix Personality

The Australian Cattle Dog and the Boykin Spaniel are known for being courageous and protective. The Australian Cattle Dog is known for being loyal, protective, and brave.They are also very loving dogs. This dog will require a very strong and firm owner who makes sure to assert that they are the alpha and not the dog. They are cautious, yet non-threatening with strangers, and are affectionate towards family and children. Early socialization helps take care of any bad habits that could develop. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”

Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Australian Cattle Dog mixed with the Boykin Spaniel might be prone to joint dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, osteochondrosis dissecans, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Australian Cattle Dog Boykin Spaniel Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Australian Cattle Dog Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in