Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever Mix

The Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Boykin Spaniel and the Flat-Coated Retriever. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Boykin Spaniel is known for being friendly, energetic, and intelligent. 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 Boykin Spaniel or the Flat-Coated Retriever? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever Mix puppies for sale.

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Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever 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.

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.

Flat-Coated Retriever History

The Flat-Coated Retriever, like virtually all dogs has a diverse lineage, their ancestry includes the Labrador, Newfoundland, spaniel-type water dogs, setter, and sheepdog. He was developed in England in the mid-1800s. The purpose of his development was to serve as a close-working shooting dog. They were used widely on British estates and were known as a “gamekeeper's dog.” The people most credited with the breed's development was S.E. Shirley and H.R. Cooke. It was a very popular hunting dog through World War 1, but lost the popularity game to the Labrador and Golden Retriever. They were so low the breed almost went extinct. However, some enthusiastic breeders came in and kept them going. It is still a very rare breed.

Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever Mix Size and Weight

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

Flat-Coated Retriever
Height: 22 - 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 55 - 80 lb.
Lifespan: 8 - 10 years

Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever Mix Personality

The Boykin Spaniel and the Flat-Coated Retriever might be a little bit spunky. They can be an inquisitive little fella so keep on the lookout for that behavior! All dogs need attention and don't want to be left alone. That's why you have a pet, right? Plan on putting forth effort to socialize her as this will reap dividends in the long run. Please use always use positive reinforcement even though they can have a mind of their own. Enjoy being with your new mixed breed and love the relationship you will have with them.

Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Boykin Spaniel mixed with the Flat-Coated Retriever might be prone to joint dysplasia, eye problems, patellar luxation, skin problems, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever 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.

Boykin Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever 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."

Boykin Spaniel Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in