Breeding and the Boykin Spaniel

Many owners will consider breeding their Boykin Spaniel at some point in time. However, it should be understood that not all Boykins should be bred. Consideration should be given to the availability of good homes first. Secondly, owners should review their ability to raise a litter until they can be sent to their new homes. Of vital importance is the prospective sire and dam passing their health clearances. Next the parents-to-be should be within the breed standard and be evaluated by a non-biased person(s) to judge temperament and instinct. Lastly, the breeder must commit to the responsibility of having brought the litter into this world and honor the obligation of the offspring's well being.

Appropriate Homes

Good homes are not as easy to find as one would first think. Prospective owners should be interviewed to ensure that they will be able to care for the Boykin for it's entire lifespan. Breeders need to be prepared to spend hours on the phone with each prospective owner to answer their questions and make sure they are prepared for the brown bundle of energy that is a Boykin puppy.

Raising a Litter

The emotional and financial burden of raising a litter until it is mature to go to their new homes can vary greatly. Boykin Spaniels do not have the tragic whelping problems seen in some breeds, but a breeder needs to be prepared for the worst which can include high vet bills for emergency visits or surgery. Should a mother reject the litter, it will need to be bottle fed constantly throughout the day and night until they can eat solid food. There will be veterinarian bills to be paid for tail docking, dewclaw removal and vaccination shots. Many people find that the hassles of raising a litter along with the financial risk is not worth the benefits of breeding your own litter.

Health Clearances

Health clearances in Boykins are explored in more detail at the Health topic pages. Health clearances should not be an option in the mind of a responsible breeder. There are problems in this breed that can be reduced and eliminated with consistent testing. New problems can spontaneously appear in any breed if breeders are not educated and alert to identifying a genetic abnormality. A breeder must continually educate themselves to new or improved methods of identifying and eliminating problems through mechanisms of evolution. The future of Boykin Spaniels depends on conscientious breeders!

Type and Standard

Type is the almost indescribable essence of the breed that constitutes the small differences between this breed and all others in which the sum is the Boykin Spaniel. The written standard of this breed includes what their temperament and instincts should be as well as their general appearance, structure and size. Trials and shows were developed to evaluate breeding stock. Discounting the need to adhere to the standard will result in this breed developing into a shadow of what it was meant to be.

Ethics and Accountability

A good, caring breeder understands their duty to the life that they have created. Most national or regional breed club will have a more complete document of ethical guidelines that any civilized breeder would follow. Ethical breeders will have a thoughtful, written contract for puppy buyers that includes the buyers protection if the puppy should develop a genetic disease prior to adulthood. Breeders will step forward and make public any genetic diseases that they have found in their bloodlines to allow other breeder to take necessary steps to improve the health of the breed. If a dog they produce is ever homeless, a responsible breeder will immediately and without question be the one to rescue the dog from the situation.

Conclusion

If you are unsure whether breeding is right for you, join a national or regional Boykin Spaniel club. You can meet experienced breeders to discuss whether this is an activity that you are suited for.