Boykin Spaniel
Encyclopedia
Discovered and further developed by South Carolina
hunters for hunters in the 1900s, the Boykin Spaniel is a medium-sized breed
of dog
, a Spaniel
bred for hunting wild turkeys and ducks in the Wateree River Swamp
of South Carolina
, in the United States
. It is the state dog of South Carolina
.
but much heavier through the body width. Height at the withers
for males ranges from 15.5 - 17 ins (39.4 - 43.18 cm) and weight 30 - 40 lbs (13.6 - 18.2 kg). Females are smaller, 14 - 16.5 ins (35 - 41.91 cm) and 25 - 35 lbs (11.4 - 15.9 kg). Although against the true form and function of the breed, some field trial breeders are increasing their line's size to be competitive against other retriever breeds. Buyers should be aware of the size and weight in the puppy's pedigree before choosing a breeder if size is a factor in their choice of dog.
Traditionally, its tail is docked at the age of three days, leaving 1/3 length.
Eyes are engaging and bright. The color ranges from brilliant gold to a dark amber. Puppies will have milky bluish-gold to amber eyes until a few months old.
The coat
color comes in liver or chocolate (shades of brown.)
This is a southern water spaniel bred to only adapt to the moderate climate of the southeastern USA. Coat length and density vary widely due to the variety of breeds that make up the recent background of this breed. Any coat type is acceptable, with some being almost curly like an American Water Spaniel to some with very straight fur like a Field Spaniel. Length is normally 1-2 inches throughout the body. A few bloodlines throw shorter, straight coats much like a Labrador. Feathering on the ears, chest, through the tuck-up and along the legs can be very little to moderate in density and length. Feathering may take on a sun-bleached golden to tawny color especially on the ears and should not be penalized.
Groomed dogs should have a minimal of stripping or clipping, with slight shaping around the head and topline. Some individuals have a topknot like a Llewellin Setter. Field types are often shaved down and should not be penalized as long as it is of appropriate length to protect the skin. Improper shaving will result in some coats growing back in with excessive discoloration, fading or graying.
White markings other than a mark on the chest, or a white mark on the chest that is more than 60% of the width of the chest, disqualify puppies from being registered with the Boykin Spaniel Society, although the American Kennel Club and United Kennel CLub do not allow denial of registration for conformation reasons. White on the toes or chest is purely a cosmetic trait and will not affect the ability or health of the dog.
hunts, but also for pheasant
and other upland game. They can be used in driving deer
or in tracking wounded game. Their small size makes them easy to carry in a canoe
or other small boat, and they are described as "the dog that doesn't rock the boat." The Boykin was officially recognized by the AKC in 2009.
ing different breeds, and the resulting dog is named after him. In Boykin's hands the little stray developed into a superb turkey dog and waterfowl retriever. This dog became the foundation stock for the Boykin spaniel. The dogs had to be small enough to ride in the small boats used by hunters in the swamp
s. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever
, Springer Spaniel
, Cocker Spaniel, and the American Water Spaniel
may have been used in the development of the breed. The area in which the breed developed, around Camden, South Carolina
, was a resort area, and the breed was noticed by visitors and so spread around the United States.
The Boykin Spaniel Society was formed in 1977 and began maintaining a studbook
in 1979. The BSS studbook has been "closed" since 1982, meaning that only dogs from BSS registered parents may be registered with the BSS.
The Boykin Spaniel was recognized by the United Kennel Club
in 1985. UKC does not close its studbooks so dogs from the BSS or the AKC may be registered into the UKC studbook at any time.
In the 1990s a group of fanciers formed the Boykin Spaniel Club And Breeders Association of America in order to achieve AKC recognition of the breed and to gain access to the AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests and AKC Spaniel Field Trials held throughout the nation. The BSCBAA was the first Boykin Spaniel organization to form and maintain a "Code of Ethics". In 2007 the Boykin Spaniel Club And Breeders Association of America was recognized by the AKC as the parent club for the breed.
In 1997 the breed entered the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service recording program. In January 2006 the breed became eligible to compete in AKC Spaniel Hunt tests for official AKC titles. In July 2006 the Boykin Spaniel was eligible to earn AKC titles in AKC agility, tracking, rally obedience, and regular obedience. On January 1, 2008 the Boykin Spaniel became part of the American Kennel Club's Miscellaneous Group. In the April 2009 board meeting, the AKC voted to move the Boykin Spaniel into the Sporting Group. In December 2009 the Boykin Spaniel officially became an AKC registered breed.
The American Kennel Club studbook for the Boykin Spaniel is currently open. It is proposed to remain open until January 2015. During this time period all UKC and BSS registered dogs may be dual or triple registered to include the AKC registration. Even after the studbook is closed, the AKC parent club can request that it be reopened to allow more dogs to be registered at any time to expand the gene pool.
At the same time, the Boykin Spaniel Society continued to pursue its vision of the breed. In a position statement, the Boykin Spaniel Society board of directors states that use of other registries by their members may foster breeding standards that "are inconsistent with the principles and objectives of the BSS", although members are not prohibited from triple or dual-registering their dogs. The Boykin Spaniel Society has a Code of Ethics for breeders, and sponsors field trial events and breed rescue.
In addition to the BSS, the UKC, and the AKC registries, the attractive and good natured Boykin Spaniel is also recognized by a number of minor kennel clubs and other clubs and dog registry businesses, and promoted as a rare breed
pet. Unfortunately, many well-known breeders have promoted the practice of having multiple litters each year. Over the decades this practice has snowballed into a quickly growing population of this breed. The number of recorded litters in the BSS and UKC show that the Boykin Spaniel is quickly becoming one of the most common spaniel breeds in America.
Boykin Spaniels have a 37% chance of being born with hip dysplasia, according to 2006 statistics. Puppies can be checked by a local veterinarian for this problem at the age of 2 years old by an Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
(OFA) x-ray or as young as 4 months old by a PennHIP
exam. All breeding stock should receive either a passing PennHIP evaluation or an OFA certification prior to being bred.
The breed also has a high incidence of eye problems and patella luxation. Skin and coat problems do exist and may be linked to thyroid or endocrine disorders. Cushings disease and hypothyroidism are known in the breed. Isolated incidences in individuals and litters for heart and elbow problems have been disagnosed.
In early 2010 Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) was positively identified in the breed by the University of MN in conjunction with the AKC health group and registered in the OFA database. On pressure from their membership, the BSS conducted a study which resulted in 56% of the study Boykins to have one or 2 copies of the gene that causes EIC. This is a shockingly high level; the highest of any breed currently being tested for the disease. DNA testing of this autosomal recessive disease can absolutely identify carriers (one copy of the gene) and affected (2 copies of the gene)individuals. The UMN has identified one-copy/carriers to also exhibit the possible life-threatening symptoms of the disease. Multiple bloodlines tracing back to many commonly used foundation dogs may be involved and further widespread testing is being performed by the college.
The BSS and BSCBAA Code of Ethics for member breeders mandates that dogs to be bred should be tested for hips, hereditary eye disease, and heart/cardiac (specifically pulmunary stenosis), as well as for other diseases that may have a genetic component such as allergies, elbow dysplasia, and patella luxation. The join venture of the AKC and OFA is called the CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) database. For a CHIC number the dogs must have an annual CERF test for eyes, an OFA test for patellar luxation, and a test for hip dysplasia. Owners must agree to publicly publish the results in the OFA or CERF databases. Optional tests are a heart test and an elbow dysplasia test. Obtaining a CHIC certification does not mean a dog has passed their evaluations; it is merely an indication that the owner checked for the health diseases in the Boykin Spaniel. Testing and conscientious breeding can reduce the incidence of these problems, and puppy buyers should request results of these tests. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals evaluated 157 breeds of dog between January 1974 through to December 2009. The Boykin Spaniel ranked thirteenth worst for hip dysplasia with 34.8% of dogs affected.
The BSCBAA is part of the AKC Canine Health Foundation. As a part of the program, the parent club is allocated money on a yearly basis to direct to grants of their choice. The AKC CHF hosts free online podcasts, has donated millions of dollars to research grants and veterinary scholarships, and offers nationwide representation for clinics and events to benefit all dog breeds. The BSCBAA participates in the Purina Pro Club.
The Boykin Spaniel Foundation (BSF), a 501(c)(3) entity and wholly owned subsidiary of the Boykin Spaniel Society founded in 2008. They have promoted club participation in the Purina Pro Club for many years and have banked the AKC CHF matching funding to over $10,000.00 total DAF funds by 2009. The AKC CHF and Purina Pro Club developed this program to help all breeds of dogs and allow the breed clubs to self-govern their DAF. This step of the BSF working in conjunction with the AKC CHF and Purina Pro Club is a welcome to those who see health as a priority.
Most of the BSF funds are raised by taxing BSS litter registrations and from reducing their support of the BSR (Boykin Spaniel Rescue) in 2009. The BSF sponsors eye and heart clinics at its National Upland Field Trial and National Field Trial in January and March of each year. Clinics are limited only twice a year and only available in South Carolina. The clinics are provided at no charge to BSS members, with a limit of one BSS registered Boykin Spaniel per family. The BSF also has a program that provides a one time reimbursement of $75 to its members (membership must be current & dog must be BSS registered) to defray the cost of radiographs and subsequent evaluation by the OFA to BSS registered dogs only. The BSS notifies the member when his or her dog reaches eligibility age (24 months) and encourages participation in the program with the long term goal of improving genetics within the breed. The hip program has been funded since 2006 but is subject to cancellation each year at the recommendation of the BSF.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
hunters for hunters in the 1900s, the Boykin Spaniel is a medium-sized breed
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
of dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
, a Spaniel
Spaniel
A spaniel is a type of gun dog. It is assumed spaniels originated from Spain as the word spaniel may be derived from Hispania or possibly from the French phrase "Chiens de l’Espagnol" . Spaniels were especially bred to flush game out of dense brush. By the late 17th century spaniels had become...
bred for hunting wild turkeys and ducks in the Wateree River Swamp
Wateree River
The Wateree River, about 75 mi long, is a tributary of the Santee River in central South Carolina in the United States, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean...
of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the state dog of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
Appearance
The Boykin Spaniel is slightly larger than the English Cocker SpanielEnglish Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is a breed of gun dog. The English Cocker Spaniel is an active, good-natured, sporting dog, standing well up at the withers and compactly built. There are "field" or "working" cockers and "show" cockers...
but much heavier through the body width. Height at the withers
Withers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
for males ranges from 15.5 - 17 ins (39.4 - 43.18 cm) and weight 30 - 40 lbs (13.6 - 18.2 kg). Females are smaller, 14 - 16.5 ins (35 - 41.91 cm) and 25 - 35 lbs (11.4 - 15.9 kg). Although against the true form and function of the breed, some field trial breeders are increasing their line's size to be competitive against other retriever breeds. Buyers should be aware of the size and weight in the puppy's pedigree before choosing a breeder if size is a factor in their choice of dog.
Traditionally, its tail is docked at the age of three days, leaving 1/3 length.
Eyes are engaging and bright. The color ranges from brilliant gold to a dark amber. Puppies will have milky bluish-gold to amber eyes until a few months old.
The coat
Coat (dog)
The coat of the domestic dog refers to the hair that covers its body. A dog's coat may be a double coat, made up of a soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat, or a single coat, which lacks an undercoat...
color comes in liver or chocolate (shades of brown.)
This is a southern water spaniel bred to only adapt to the moderate climate of the southeastern USA. Coat length and density vary widely due to the variety of breeds that make up the recent background of this breed. Any coat type is acceptable, with some being almost curly like an American Water Spaniel to some with very straight fur like a Field Spaniel. Length is normally 1-2 inches throughout the body. A few bloodlines throw shorter, straight coats much like a Labrador. Feathering on the ears, chest, through the tuck-up and along the legs can be very little to moderate in density and length. Feathering may take on a sun-bleached golden to tawny color especially on the ears and should not be penalized.
Groomed dogs should have a minimal of stripping or clipping, with slight shaping around the head and topline. Some individuals have a topknot like a Llewellin Setter. Field types are often shaved down and should not be penalized as long as it is of appropriate length to protect the skin. Improper shaving will result in some coats growing back in with excessive discoloration, fading or graying.
White markings other than a mark on the chest, or a white mark on the chest that is more than 60% of the width of the chest, disqualify puppies from being registered with the Boykin Spaniel Society, although the American Kennel Club and United Kennel CLub do not allow denial of registration for conformation reasons. White on the toes or chest is purely a cosmetic trait and will not affect the ability or health of the dog.
Hunting use
The Boykin Spaniel is a versatile hunter, working as a retriever and upland hunter, flushing birds into flight. Pointing is not in character with the Boykin's hunting style. Their stamina in hot weather and eagerness make them good for doveDove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
hunts, but also for pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
and other upland game. They can be used in driving deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
or in tracking wounded game. Their small size makes them easy to carry in a canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
or other small boat, and they are described as "the dog that doesn't rock the boat." The Boykin was officially recognized by the AKC in 2009.
History
The first Boykin Spaniel, or the precursor of today's breed, was reportedly a small, stray spaniel type dog that befriended a banker walking from his home to the First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina around 1905-1910. Alexander L. White (1860-1942) liked the little dog and took it home. After the dog showed some aptitude for retrieving, White sent the dog called "Dumpy" to his longtime friend and hunting partner Whit Boykin. L. Whitaker Boykin (1861–1932) experimented with crossbreedCrossbreed
A crossbreed or crossbred usually refers to an animal with purebred parents of two different breeds, varieties, or populations. Crossbreeding refers to the process of breeding such an animal, often with the intention to create offspring that share the traits of both parent lineages, or producing...
ing different breeds, and the resulting dog is named after him. In Boykin's hands the little stray developed into a superb turkey dog and waterfowl retriever. This dog became the foundation stock for the Boykin spaniel. The dogs had to be small enough to ride in the small boats used by hunters in the swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
s. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a breed of dog belonging to the Retriever, Gundog, and Sporting breed groups. Members of the breed may also be referred to as a Chessie, CBR, or Chesapeake. The breed was developed in the United States Chesapeake Bay area during the 19th century...
, Springer Spaniel
Springer Spaniel
Springer Spaniel refers to two different breeds of dogs, both of which are commonly called simply Springer Spaniel:*English Springer Spaniel*Welsh Springer Spaniel...
, Cocker Spaniel, and the American Water Spaniel
American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel, , is a breed of spaniel which is one of a small number of breeds originating in the United States. Developed in the state of Wisconsin during the 19th century from a number of other breeds, including the Irish and English Water Spaniels. The breed was saved by Dr. Fred J...
may have been used in the development of the breed. The area in which the breed developed, around Camden, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, was a resort area, and the breed was noticed by visitors and so spread around the United States.
The Boykin Spaniel Society was formed in 1977 and began maintaining a studbook
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
in 1979. The BSS studbook has been "closed" since 1982, meaning that only dogs from BSS registered parents may be registered with the BSS.
The Boykin Spaniel was recognized by the United Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
The United Kennel Club is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. According to the website, the club records 250,000 registrations annually. The UKC is not part of the International Canine Organisation, Fédération...
in 1985. UKC does not close its studbooks so dogs from the BSS or the AKC may be registered into the UKC studbook at any time.
In the 1990s a group of fanciers formed the Boykin Spaniel Club And Breeders Association of America in order to achieve AKC recognition of the breed and to gain access to the AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests and AKC Spaniel Field Trials held throughout the nation. The BSCBAA was the first Boykin Spaniel organization to form and maintain a "Code of Ethics". In 2007 the Boykin Spaniel Club And Breeders Association of America was recognized by the AKC as the parent club for the breed.
In 1997 the breed entered the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service recording program. In January 2006 the breed became eligible to compete in AKC Spaniel Hunt tests for official AKC titles. In July 2006 the Boykin Spaniel was eligible to earn AKC titles in AKC agility, tracking, rally obedience, and regular obedience. On January 1, 2008 the Boykin Spaniel became part of the American Kennel Club's Miscellaneous Group. In the April 2009 board meeting, the AKC voted to move the Boykin Spaniel into the Sporting Group. In December 2009 the Boykin Spaniel officially became an AKC registered breed.
The American Kennel Club studbook for the Boykin Spaniel is currently open. It is proposed to remain open until January 2015. During this time period all UKC and BSS registered dogs may be dual or triple registered to include the AKC registration. Even after the studbook is closed, the AKC parent club can request that it be reopened to allow more dogs to be registered at any time to expand the gene pool.
At the same time, the Boykin Spaniel Society continued to pursue its vision of the breed. In a position statement, the Boykin Spaniel Society board of directors states that use of other registries by their members may foster breeding standards that "are inconsistent with the principles and objectives of the BSS", although members are not prohibited from triple or dual-registering their dogs. The Boykin Spaniel Society has a Code of Ethics for breeders, and sponsors field trial events and breed rescue.
In addition to the BSS, the UKC, and the AKC registries, the attractive and good natured Boykin Spaniel is also recognized by a number of minor kennel clubs and other clubs and dog registry businesses, and promoted as a rare breed
Rare breed (dog)
Rare breed is any breed of dog that is small in number. Since dogs have greater genetic variability than other domesticated animals the number of possible breeds is vast...
pet. Unfortunately, many well-known breeders have promoted the practice of having multiple litters each year. Over the decades this practice has snowballed into a quickly growing population of this breed. The number of recorded litters in the BSS and UKC show that the Boykin Spaniel is quickly becoming one of the most common spaniel breeds in America.
Health
Boykin Spaniels share many of the health problems seen in other spaniel and retriever breeds.Boykin Spaniels have a 37% chance of being born with hip dysplasia, according to 2006 statistics. Puppies can be checked by a local veterinarian for this problem at the age of 2 years old by an Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is a not-for-profit organization based in Columbia, Missouri that aims to research and prevent orthopedic and hereditary diseases in companion animals....
(OFA) x-ray or as young as 4 months old by a PennHIP
PennHIP
PennHIP is a diagnostic technique for evaluating the hips of dogs for laxity. The acronym is also used for the network of veterinarians that use the PennHIP method of evaluation, and for the database of breed-specific hip dysplasia trends maintained at the University of Pennsylvania...
exam. All breeding stock should receive either a passing PennHIP evaluation or an OFA certification prior to being bred.
The breed also has a high incidence of eye problems and patella luxation. Skin and coat problems do exist and may be linked to thyroid or endocrine disorders. Cushings disease and hypothyroidism are known in the breed. Isolated incidences in individuals and litters for heart and elbow problems have been disagnosed.
In early 2010 Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) was positively identified in the breed by the University of MN in conjunction with the AKC health group and registered in the OFA database. On pressure from their membership, the BSS conducted a study which resulted in 56% of the study Boykins to have one or 2 copies of the gene that causes EIC. This is a shockingly high level; the highest of any breed currently being tested for the disease. DNA testing of this autosomal recessive disease can absolutely identify carriers (one copy of the gene) and affected (2 copies of the gene)individuals. The UMN has identified one-copy/carriers to also exhibit the possible life-threatening symptoms of the disease. Multiple bloodlines tracing back to many commonly used foundation dogs may be involved and further widespread testing is being performed by the college.
The BSS and BSCBAA Code of Ethics for member breeders mandates that dogs to be bred should be tested for hips, hereditary eye disease, and heart/cardiac (specifically pulmunary stenosis), as well as for other diseases that may have a genetic component such as allergies, elbow dysplasia, and patella luxation. The join venture of the AKC and OFA is called the CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) database. For a CHIC number the dogs must have an annual CERF test for eyes, an OFA test for patellar luxation, and a test for hip dysplasia. Owners must agree to publicly publish the results in the OFA or CERF databases. Optional tests are a heart test and an elbow dysplasia test. Obtaining a CHIC certification does not mean a dog has passed their evaluations; it is merely an indication that the owner checked for the health diseases in the Boykin Spaniel. Testing and conscientious breeding can reduce the incidence of these problems, and puppy buyers should request results of these tests. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals evaluated 157 breeds of dog between January 1974 through to December 2009. The Boykin Spaniel ranked thirteenth worst for hip dysplasia with 34.8% of dogs affected.
The BSCBAA is part of the AKC Canine Health Foundation. As a part of the program, the parent club is allocated money on a yearly basis to direct to grants of their choice. The AKC CHF hosts free online podcasts, has donated millions of dollars to research grants and veterinary scholarships, and offers nationwide representation for clinics and events to benefit all dog breeds. The BSCBAA participates in the Purina Pro Club.
The Boykin Spaniel Foundation (BSF), a 501(c)(3) entity and wholly owned subsidiary of the Boykin Spaniel Society founded in 2008. They have promoted club participation in the Purina Pro Club for many years and have banked the AKC CHF matching funding to over $10,000.00 total DAF funds by 2009. The AKC CHF and Purina Pro Club developed this program to help all breeds of dogs and allow the breed clubs to self-govern their DAF. This step of the BSF working in conjunction with the AKC CHF and Purina Pro Club is a welcome to those who see health as a priority.
Most of the BSF funds are raised by taxing BSS litter registrations and from reducing their support of the BSR (Boykin Spaniel Rescue) in 2009. The BSF sponsors eye and heart clinics at its National Upland Field Trial and National Field Trial in January and March of each year. Clinics are limited only twice a year and only available in South Carolina. The clinics are provided at no charge to BSS members, with a limit of one BSS registered Boykin Spaniel per family. The BSF also has a program that provides a one time reimbursement of $75 to its members (membership must be current & dog must be BSS registered) to defray the cost of radiographs and subsequent evaluation by the OFA to BSS registered dogs only. The BSS notifies the member when his or her dog reaches eligibility age (24 months) and encourages participation in the program with the long term goal of improving genetics within the breed. The hip program has been funded since 2006 but is subject to cancellation each year at the recommendation of the BSF.