THE BOYKIN SPANIEL
| The Boykin Spaniel was
first bred by South Carolina hunters during the 1900's to provide the ideal dog
for hunting ducks and wild turkeys in the Wateree River Swamp. Hunters on South
Carolina's Wateree River needed a small rugged dog compactly built for boat
travel and able to retrieve on land and water. learn more>> |
1988 SC Duck Stamp
by Jim Killen
by the SC
Migatoryflow/ Committe
The Boykin Spaniel Society
P. O. Box
2047
Camden, SC 29020
(803) 425-1032
Email
Us
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Choosing a Boykin Spaniel Breeder
Before you fall in love with
the first adorable Boykin puppy you see, take the time in an initial phone call
to ask the questions listed below. You may not find a breeder who fits 100% of
these criteria, but if you receive more than two negative responses, consider
another breeder. At the end of the list you will find questions to ask
yourself. You should be able to answer all of them affirmatively before you
begin your search.
Remember: You are adding a new member to your family
for the next 10-15 years. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BARGAIN HUNT!!
Prepare to spend $500 and up or more for a well bred puppy. You may
have known someone who has (or you may yourself have purchased) a "backyard"
bred dog, a pet store or puppy mill dog and had great success. However, the
incidence of problems in the breed makes it prudent to be on guard. Among the
undesirable traits are temperament problems including aggression, shyness or
hyperactivity, hip dysplasia, and eye problems causing early blindness.
Responsible breeders do all they can to avoid these problems by researching
pedigrees and screening parents for certain inherited problems before breeding.
Breeders are expected to produce Boykins to high standards. They are
entitled to respect and courtesy from the people they are trying to please, so
always be on time for any appointments and be honest in explaining your
lifestyle, family activity level, experience with dogs, and knowledge of Boykin
Spaniels. Keep this checklist by the phone when you make your calls. Good luck
with your search for a quality puppy!!
1) Where did you find out about this breeder?
Responsible breeders usually have a waiting list of puppy buyers. They rarely
find it necessary to advertise in newspapers or with a sign out in the front
yard.
2) Do both parents (the sire and
dam) have hip clearances from the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) or
PennHip? Ask to see the certificates. "My vet okayed the x-ray" is not a valid
clearance.
3) Do both parents have
current eye clearances? This must be performed every year. Ask to see the
certificates.
4) Are both parents at
least 2 years old? OFA hip clearances cannot be obtained before that age.
PennHip determines hip conditions at an earlier age.
5) How often is the dam bred? Breeding every heat
cycle IS TOO OFTEN and may indicate that profit is the primary motive for the
breeding.
6) Do all four grandparents,
siblings of the parents and any other puppies that they may have produced have
these clearances? A responsible breeder will keep track of these statistics and
honestly discuss any problems that have occurred in the lines and what has been
done to prevent them from recurring.
7)
Are both parents free of allergies or epilepsy?
8) On what basis was the sire chosen? If the answer is
"because he lives right down the street" or "because he is really sweet," it
may be that sufficient thought was not put into the breeding.
9) Is the breeder knowledgeable about the breed? Is he
or she involved in competition or hunting with their dogs?
10) Are the puppy's sire and dam available for you to
meet? If the sire is unavailable can you call his owners or people who have his
puppies to ask about temperament or health problems? You may also be provided
with pictures or videos.
11) Have the
puppies been raised in a clean environment?
12) Is the breeder knowledgeable about raising
puppies, critical neonatal periods, proper socialization techniques? Puppies
that are raised without high exposure to gentle handling, human contact and a
wide variety of noises and experiences OR are removed from their dam or litter
mates before at least 7 weeks may exhibit a wide variety of behavioral
problems! Temperament, a genetic trait carried over from the parents, still
needs development from the early beginnings of a puppy's life. The breeder
should provide extensive socialization and human interaction to the puppies in
the litter.
13) Does the breeder provide
a 3-5 generation pedigree, copies of all clearances, the guarantee, and health
records?
14) Have the puppies'
temperaments been evaluated and can the breeder guide you to the puppy that
will best suit your lifestyle? A very shy puppy will not do well in a noisy
household with small children, just as a very dominant puppy won't flourish in
a sedate, senior citizen household.
15)
Do the puppies seem healthy, with no discharge from eyes or nose, no loose
stools, no foul smelling ears? Are their coats soft, full and clean? Do they
have plenty of energy when awake yet calm down easily when gently stroked?
16) Do the puppies have their first
shots and have they been wormed?
17)
Does the breeder have only 1 or at most 2 breeds of dogs and only 1 litter at a
time? If there are several breeds of dogs, chances are the breeder cannot
devote the time it takes to become really knowledgeable about the breed. If
there is more than one litter at a time, it is very difficult to give the
puppies the attention they need and may indicate that the primary purpose for
breeding is profit, rather than a sincere desire to sustain and improve the
breed.
18) Does the breeder belong to
the Boykin Spaniel Society ?
19) Do you
feel comfortable with this person? If you feel intimidated or pressured, keep
looking! It's worth the effort.
QUESTIONS TO
ASK YOURSELF - ARE YOU PREPARED TO:
1) Take full responsibility for this dog and all its
needs for the next 10-15 years? This is NOT a task that can be left to
children!
2) Invest the considerable
time, money and patience it takes to train the dog to be a good companion? This
does not happen by itself!!!!
3) Always
keep the dog safe; no running loose, riding in the back of an open pick-up
truck or being chained outside?
4) Make
sure the dog gets enough attention and exercise? (Boykin puppies need several
hours of both, every day!!)
5) Live with
shedding, retrieving, drooling and high activity for the next 10-15 years?
6) Spend the money it takes to provide
proper veterinary care including but certainly not limited to: vaccines,
heartworm testing and preventative, spaying or neutering and annual check ups?
7) Keep the breeder informed and up to
date on the dog's accomplishments and any problems that may arise? Take your
questions to the breeder or other appropriate professional before they become
problems that are out of hand?
8) Have
the patience to accept (and enjoy) the trials of Boykin puppyhood (which can
last for three or more years) and each stage afterward? Continue to accept
responsibility for the dog despite inevitable life changes such as new babies,
kids going off to school, moving or returning to work?
9) Resist impulse buying and instead have the patience
to make a responsible choice?
If you answered yes to ALL of the above,
you are ready to start contacting breeders. Start early because most
responsible breeders have a waiting list ranging from a few months to several
years.
Remember, the right puppy or adult dog IS worth waiting for!
A word about rescue dogs - Rescue dogs
may or may not have been responsibly bred. However, since they are adults, we
are able to evaluate them for any signs of a problem before you fall in love,
something that can't be done with a puppy. We consider this only one of the
many advantages to adopting an older dog! If you think a puppy may not be right
for you, and would like to be considered for an adult dog, contact the
Boykin
Spaniel Rescue for information. |
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