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Discovering Boykin Spaniels: A journey from first encounter to top show dog, celebrating their charm and hunting prowess.
Leslie Kern
This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, February 2011 issue.
My love affair with the Boykin Spaniel was by no means planned. In fact, prior to moving to South Carolina in 1989, I knew nothing of the brown dog that is affectionately known as “the little dog that doesn’t rock the boat.” I grew up in Oyster Bay, a small village on the north shore of Long Island, New York. As a child, our home was filled with animals of all shapes and sizes—dogs, cats, gerbils, birds, and chickens. My parents bred Labs, a line they referred to as “Swedish Labs.” My brother, John, and I would accompany them as they hunted pheasant on many of the estates located in Nassau County’s “Gold Coast.”
In October of 1989, as my husband Beau and I awaited the arrival of our second son, Charleston was undergoing one of the most devastating storms of the century, Hurricane Hugo. With a tremendous need to help rebuild Charleston and a strong desire to assist, we were Carolina bound.
For the first several years in the South, we were busy raising our two sons, Kyle and Ben, and had very little exposure to Boykins. We had a Yellow Lab, Chelsea, and a Cocker/Springer mix, Libby. Two young children and two young dogs were more than enough! It wasn’t until a few years later that we attended our first Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and discovered the state’s best-kept secret—Boykin Spaniels were everywhere! They were walking, running, catching Frisbees, playing ball, riding in the back of pick-up trucks, side by side with their owners, and being held in the arms of children. Remarkably, if an owner was standing still, the dog was always at their side.
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The Boykin Spaniel Society, formed in 1977, the original registry for the breed, had a tent with several ‘little brown dogs’ and their owners available to meet, greet, and answer questions. Designated the official dog of the state of South Carolina since 1985, many of the Boykins sported brightly colored “fashion” collars and leads, camouflage vests, blaze orange collars, and some proudly wore scarves displaying the South Carolina flag. There were Boykins—young and old, males and females, as well as a litter of the most precious puppies I had ever seen. Some of these sturdy, compact dogs were curly-coated, while others had wavy or flat coats. All were brown—or as stated on dog registrations, “liver, brown, or dark chocolate.” The most amazing attribute they all shared was the same look in their eyes—one that made your heart skip a beat or two.
Throughout the weekend, there were dog demonstrations where Boykins displayed their natural retrieving abilities. Trainers sent them on single, double, and blind retrieves. Beau and I watched with complete fascination as these little dogs performed with a keen sense of focus, discipline, drive, precision, and perfection! Each one of them approached their task as if their life depended on it, with the ultimate goal being to receive the reward—“good job!”—and hopefully another retrieve! We were amazed. “Wow!” we thought. “Where had this little brown dog been all our lives?” It was a dog I was definitely interested in… but it just wasn’t the right time. The right time… hmm… well, when you already have four dogs, when is the “right time” to get the fifth?
My first Boykin, CH Tugtown Bellini Belle SHR, aka “Bella,” came to me in a most unusual manner. In February 2005, while training my Brittany for AKC Hunt Test competition, my trainer arrived at the field and handed me the most precious little brown puppy. My heart immediately melted… followed by “Oh no… I can’t possibly bring her home.” While my husband was raised with dogs and loves them, he had made his limitations clear for some time. By then, we already had four dogs—an aging Lab, a Cocker/Springer mix with the energy level of a Roadrunner, a Brittany, and an English Setter, deaf since birth. One more might just push him over the edge.
I brought Bella home and explained that I was asked to “socialize” her for a short time, as her owner was out of the country. I believe my husband knew at that moment, much to his surprise, that sweet little “Bella” was indeed dog number five.
We kept Bella for six weeks, introducing her to our four much larger dogs, friends, their dogs, and children, taking her to dog parks, hunt tests, and training events. Everyone who met her fell instantly in love… people and dogs alike! When the end of that first six weeks came, Bella went to friends who had Gordon Setters and two Boykins and stayed for another six weeks. When she came back, as my husband predicted, she stayed. It was destiny… Bella’s and mine.
Realizing, of course, that we knew little about Boykin owners, breeders, and trainers, I soon discovered that Bella had all of the desired qualities folks look for in a Boykin. She was full of energy, drive, and determination—an enthusiastic worker, eager to please and easy to train. She was very intelligent, extremely friendly, a perfect companion, and a beauty.
At the time, AKC did not recognize the breed for either Conformation or Competition events, but I soon learned “it was in the works.” While I waited, we trained for UKC field events, and Bella achieved her “SHR” Started Hunting Retriever title. Shortly after, we embarked upon our first Show Ring experience. That really started the ball rolling.
“Bella of the Balla” we call her. Where there is Bella, there is a ball. It’s either in her mouth or by her side while she sleeps. She’ll retrieve until we fall—for certainly, she will not! Bella took her first show by storm! At just six months of age, she beat several Champions and Grand Champions for Best of Breed, and a Group Four placement. The crowd went wild, and in minutes, we were surrounded by Boykins and their owners congratulating us. Now, that’s great sportsmanship!
I was hooked. I am forever grateful to those who welcomed us to the show ring that day. If it were not for their guidance and support in those early days, we wouldn’t have taken the next step.
AKC… here we come! In July of 2006, Boykins were welcomed to participate in Flushing Spaniel Hunt Tests. After training and several hunts, and hundreds of miles on the road, Bella completed three of the four necessary passes towards her Junior Hunter title. This is still a work in progress, and a chapter not yet finished.
I soon discovered how much appreciation I had for professional trainers, recognizing that we all have our limitations. Then, in 2008, the breed was introduced into the Miscellaneous Class. I was planning Bella’s first litter. The year prior had been spent searching through records and making visits to choose what I believed would be the perfect match for Bella. I was determined to produce offspring that would be a positive contribution to the breed, or not proceed at all.
During her pregnancy, I entered her in two local AKC shows, and she won Best of Opposites.
On April 17, 2008, Bella’s eight pups came into this world and jump-started my heart. When her labor suddenly stopped, I knew something was terribly wrong. There wasn’t a puppy, but the placenta was presenting, and in a split second, I reacted. Driving in my pajamas to the Vet’s office, Dr. Karen Spencer—assisted by several vets, their assistants, and myself—delivered eight healthy pups by C-section within an hour. By afternoon, Mama Bella was home in her handmade whelping box (compliments of Beau) with her 8 pups resting comfortably.
The days that followed were absolutely amazing. I rarely left her side. Bella had to be monitored closely. I had to be sure she was getting the nutrition she needed to produce enough milk for this very active litter. The pups had to be nursed in groups, as they outnumbered her teats. Each pup had to be weighed twice a day. In a few short days, all was well and on schedule.
With Bella’s popularity came a lengthy list of ‘hopeful’ puppy owners—about 35 strong! With much consideration, the final seven were chosen. It was paramount that each pup be placed in a home where its well-being and future would be ensured. Today, there are seven out of eight pups in their original homes.
I kept the pick of the litter, “Jesse,” and “Jake,” who, at a year old, came back to live with us. He was a handful, and it was simply in his best interest. With Bella’s coat back in shape and two gorgeous progeny, we headed to the show ring. In no time, Bella, Jesse, and Jake were finished Champions. Bella has since retired and is enjoying plantation life in Beaufort.
“Jake,” aka CH Thornhill’s Carolina Scribe, is now a “Special” with Dennis and Katey Brown and has enjoyed much success! In his first four months, he was—and remains—the Top Group Placing Boykin! His sister “Jesse,” aka GCH CH Thornhill’s Ring That Jezebelle, has been busy too, earning Best of Breed at Eukanuba.
As anyone who has taken this journey knows, whether years before me or years after, it’s just that… a Journey—and it’s been great fun! I am tremendously grateful to all the Handlers, Judges, and fellow Boykin owners who have supported us along the way. From the very beginning, I have believed that, win some, lose some, EVERY BOYKIN WILL HAVE ITS DAY!
A special thanks to my husband, Beau, and sons, Kyle and Ben, and my many friends for their love and support of my dream. And, mostly, to Bella, my little brown dog who stole my heart… I’ll love you forever!
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