Turkey Hunting: The Boykin Spaniel
History
Developed in the 20th century, the Boykin Spaniel is a crossbreed between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, and American Water Spaniel. So not only do you have an excellent retriever, you also have a great flusher…perfect for when you are hunting turkey.
Physical Attributes
This breed was developed to have a medium sized, balanced body that can cover all types of ground and excels in agility as well as speed. On top of that, this dog has webbed feet and is a beast in the water.
Stamina
Due to its extremely balanced and effortless gait, as well as its high energy level, the Boykin Spaniel has no problem sustaining long hours in the field or water.
Personality
When the Boykin Spaniel is at home, the main word that describes this dog is sweet. But once they are out on the field, they’re main focus is hunting. They are highly intelligent and can adapt to a home of people or a home of wild turkeys on the dime.
Training Advice From AKC
“The Boykin Spaniel is a tough, energetic, and enthusiastic hunting dog, yet gentle and contented in the home. An affectionate and fiercely loyal personality is a hallmark of the breed, and Boykins make wonderful family pets. They thrive on companionship, enjoying the company of children and other dogs. Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended to help ensure that the Boykin grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. Intelligent and eager to please, Boykins are generally easy to train.”