Super fun dogs. This is my first one. I think we got a runt cuz she’s only 25lbs. Her mom and dad were definitely 30+ and a big longer/taller. She’s little but she LOVES birds
My Boykin was one of the best bird dogs I have ever owned! Actually he owned me and the family. Way tougher than my Brittanies and very eager to please. Looks like yours is having fun!Not much of a story on this one. Went out shot 3 limits. We had a few things we need to work on but practice makes perfect. She struggles in the tall thick standing corn bringing birds as big as her across the rows but she finds em! Buddy was telling me this is the smallest dog he ever hunted with...
Yes she’s a blast right now. I also have an almost 6 year old Pudelpointer and he’s not happy that I took her out
Boykin!!!! The Goldens and Labs have been ruined as bird dogs by many breeders who are more concerned with color than bird sense and hunting drive. I bred English style labs and Brittanies for many years and brought over both from England and France where the hunting heritage was being maintained and the demand was there for hunting dogs. I think the US demand seems to be biased for couch potatoes that look pretty. I am sure you can find kennels that produce good hunters for both breeds, and I know there are responsible breeders who have OFA certified hips on the Lab/Golden cohort and still breed for hunting instinct (all you lab/golden owners I do NOT mean that they aren't great dogs and the right ones certainly can do a great job hunting). The Boykins just have a sense of humor that makes them fun to be with. The size of the Boykin is an advantage travelling with them versus the larger breeds, and they tend to stay healthy with a longer life span than the big guys. Unfortunately they are now an AKC breed which has been the beginning of the decline of hunting instinct for many breeds heading to the show ring. If the bird hunting in SW Colorado was better I would get another Boykin in a flash! Working cow dogs are now my focus and moving cattle is probably the only thing a Boykin would not be good at.
