They are affectionately known as the “little brown dog who could” and “the little dog who wouldn’t rock the boat.” They are a true American original. They are Boykin Spaniels.
Sometime between 1900 and 1910, a small stray dog was found wandering in Spartanburg, South Carolina, by Mr. A. L. White. He took the dog home as a pet and it apparently showed some hunting aptitude, so he sent it to his good friend and hunter, Whit Boykin. This little stray soon developed into an excellent waterfowl retriever and a superb bird dog. They are smaller than a retriever and thus earned the moniker “the little dog who won’t rock the boat.” The Boykin’s development into today’s versatile champion is believed to have involved breeds such as the Springer Spaniel, American Water Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Pointer, and English Field Spaniel.1
Today’s Boykin Spaniel excels at everything!
The Boykin Spaniel is a medium-sized Sporting dog built to cover all types of ground conditions with agility and reasonable speed. They are primarily a working gun dog; structure and soundness are of great importance. Read the full Breed Standard at: https://boykinspanielclub.us/downloads. In a first for the breed, BIS NBISS GCHB Beekauz’s Rebel Yell, owned and bred by Dan, Sharon, and Katie Kauzlarich-Stockman of Beekauz Kennel, won Best in Show at the Burlington Kennel Club Dog Show on June 22, 2025 in Burlington, Iowa, under esteemed Judge Anne Barlow. Sharon said, “Colonel’s win meant much to us as he is the result of generations of Boykins excelling not only in the show ring but in the field as well. Colonel’s grandfather, Strauss (GCH Sunseeker’s Kiss My Britches Beekauz MHA SHR RN), was the first Boykin Spaniel to earn both his AKC championship as well as his AKC Master Hunter title. Strauss’s daughter and Colonel’s mom, Mary (GCHG Drinking Until Dark Beekauz SH), was the first Boykin bitch to become a Gold Grand Champion and the only Gold Boykin with a hunt title.
Jackie DeAngelo, the preservation breeder behind Top Gun Boykin Spaniels, exemplifies the breed’s hallmark versatility as a hunting breed. “We strive for excellence using the AKC Breed Standard as our blueprint for form,” she explains. “And we rely on the AKC Hunting Program to prove their ability in the field. It is critical that we breed dogs for hunting ability to maintain the integrity of the Boykin Spaniel.” The Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America (BSCBAA) underscores this dual-purpose ideal through its annual Strauss Award, named in honor of CH Sunseeker Kiss My Britches Beekauz MH. The award encourages breeders and owners to preserve the breed’s working ability while pursuing excellence in the show ring. Jackie and her dogs have earned the Strauss Award seven times in the past eleven years, a testament to her commitment to the breed’s form and function. In 2023, her dog GCHS Cleared For Take Off SH won the inaugural AKC Boykin Spaniel National Specialty. The following year, he claimed Best of Breed at the 2024 AKC National Championship.
When the Guadalupe River surged nearly 30 feet in under an hour this summer, claiming at least 135 lives, including the heartbreaking loss of 27 young girls and their counselors at Camp Mystic, Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America Board Member Kathleen Yeaman, her Boykin Spaniel Covey, and the compassionate Angel Paws pet therapy team knew they were on a mission from God. Their journey began at a distribution center, where they connected with first responders and community members seeking supplies and solace. Next, Covey visited the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Kerrville, lending comfort to the courageous members of the Texas National Guard. These men and women were on the frontlines of flood rescue and recovery efforts—and Covey helped lift spirits through gentle snuggles and quiet strength. They then delivered pet food donations and toys, followed by an additional pet therapy visit at a second Salvation Army staging site. Kathleen said, “Covey’s presence is a gift to those navigating heartbreak and sorrow. The comfort he brought to those in need was immeasurable.” (CH Texas Trace Covington THD CGC)
In 2012, Boykin Spaniels were a rare sight in Agility competitions. As Jeff and Maggie progressed through the classes together, he fondly recalls how Maggie quickly became known among competitors simply as “The Boykin.” From 2013 to 2016, they competed nearly every weekend, earning national recognition. Maggie was invited to the AKC Agility Invitational in both 2014 and 2015, qualifying in all four rounds her second year and earning the Medallion for Best Boykin Spaniel both times. In April 2015, she made history as the first Boykin Spaniel to earn an AKC Agility Championship, the Preferred Agility Championship (PACH). “It was a great honor to be the first,” Jeff said, “Maggie was an outstanding ambassador for the breed—social, friendly, and a skilled competitor.” Her final national events in 2016 marked the end of a remarkable career, but her legacy lives on. Today, many Boykins have followed in her pawprints, with some reaching the finals at the AKC National Agility Championship. In loving memory of PACH Texas Trace Magnolia NA AXJ MXP4 MXPB MJP7 MJPG PAX NF OFP T2BP3 EAC O-EJC ECC.
Beth Crocker, a breeder and exhibitor in South Carolina, has owned and trained some of the most-titled Boykin Spaniels in the breed’s history, including “Jake,” CH Hollow Creek’s Jake Watts CD BN RM RAE2 SH DN THDN CGCA TKN (her first Boykin when they were first recognized by the AKC in 2010), and “Ty,” SHR GCHS Amberfield’s Eye Of The Tiger BN RA JHR BCAT DJ CGCA CGCU TKN FTA. She understands why the original Boykin breeders sought a versatile hunting dog—one that could perform across a range of environments. “I have found these little brown dogs to be loving, hardworking companions and teammates—whether in the field, the show ring, or anywhere in between,” she said. “If you’re looking for a medium-sized Sporting dog with high trainability for a variety of tasks, and a pleasure to live with, you might want to consider a Boykin Spaniel!”
Shannon Lambert is actively involved in various dog sports with her two daughters, Johanna and Teagan, and their Boykins, “Sunny,” CH Thornhill’s Walking On Sunshine FDC CA FCAT RATN DE DMA CGC TKN ATT FITG, and “Stetson,” Thornhill’s Rhinestone Cowgirl FDC CA BCAT RATN DJ CGC TKN ATT FITS. She said the Boykins are devoted to the girls and are always willing to participate in any sport. “Johanna & Teagan have enjoyed showing their Boykin Spaniels in both Conformation, Junior Showmanship, Fast CAT, and Dock Diving. Their Boykins love them dearly and give them their all in the show ring and in Performance sports. Boykin Spaniels are such versatile dogs and can do just about anything with the right training and motivation.”
Scent Work is one of the fastest-growing canine sports—and it’s easy to see why. Sniffing and treats? Yes, please! For those who can’t get their Boykins into the field, Scent Work offers a wonderful alternative. It taps into their natural hunting instincts and provides a safe, enriching outlet for that boundless, bouncy energy. Dogs are trained to detect specific odors and search containers, interiors, exteriors, and even buried hides. There’s also a “handler discrimination” class, where the dog must locate an item scented with their handler’s scent. “Mason,” Colletts Moonshine Mason Jar SCA SIA SEA CGC STR TKN FITB ORT BPISS, lives for the thrill of the hunt. For him, it’s a joyful game that’s both mentally and physically stimulating.
Today and every day, we celebrate the little brown dog with a big heart and boundless charm. From field to family room, Boykins bring joy wherever they go.
We celebrate the many Boykin Spaniels and their dedicated owners doing remarkable things. While this article could not encompass every individual and achievement, we extend our sincere appreciation to all who continue to elevate the breed and its community.
