If You Love the Boykin Spaniel, You Need to Join the Boykin Spaniel Society (BSS)

Sometimes I wonder when we, as dog people, decided that loving a breed meant little more than posting photos of it online. Scroll through social media today and you’ll see more Boykin Spaniels than ever, wet, muddy, duck-toting, nub-waggling bundles of joy. They’ve become extremely popular, and I understand why. You get a Boykin for what they are: the look, the temperament, the compact size, the big-dog heart, the hunting drive tucked into that little brown package. A Boykin is a no-brainer. But in my mind, so is joining the Boykin Spaniel Society.

Because if you truly love this breed, really love it, not just the Instagram-ready version, why wouldn’t you support the one organization dedicated entirely to its future?

As the Boykin becomes more popular, that popularity brings a responsibility. More puppies, more breeders, more newcomers who may not understand how fragile a breed can be if left unprotected. The Boykin Spaniel Society isn’t some optional club for hobbyists; it’s the only organization with the breed’s best interests at heart. When I see folks celebrate their new pup but skip joining the BSS, I’m honestly surprised and yes, a little saddened. Loving the dog should mean loving the people who safeguard its history, its health, and its heritage.

It’s worth remembering that the Boykin Spaniel Society didn’t appear out of thin air. It was founded by the descendants of Mr. Whit Boykin himself, alongside Dr. Peter McKoy, who became increasingly concerned that the “Boykins” he was seeing in the field and on the street were drifting too far apart, too loose, too varied, too far from the dog Whit Boykin actually created. They realized that without a unified standard, the breed’s identity could unravel. So they formed the BSS to establish and protect the true Boykin Spaniel: in look, in temperament, and in purpose. Their work is the reason the breed we love still is the breed we love.

Ask yourself this: who else is offsetting the costs of proper health testing? Who else is ensuring we aren’t blindly passing along preventable conditions to future generations? Who else is setting standards that protect the Boykin from becoming just another trendy dog of the moment?

Not the AKC. Not any generic registry.Only the BSS.

In a world where everything seems to be reduced to “likes” and “shares,” we’d do well to remember that stewardship isn’t a spectator sport. If we want healthy, capable Boykins for our children and grandchildren; dogs that look, act, and hunt the way they were meant to, then joining the Boykin Spaniel Society shouldn’t be viewed as an optional extra. It should be seen as the natural next step after bringing that pup home.

So, if you love the breed, if you cherish what makes them unique, if you want your dog to be more than a trend, then put your support where your affection is.

Join the Boykin Spaniel Society.Not for you, but for the dog you claim to love.