What Is The Best Dog Food for a Boykin Spaniel?

The Ultimate Boykin Spaniel Food Buyer’s Guide

The Boykin Spaniel has a truly heartwarming history. The “little brown dog,” as it’s sometimes known, is one of the relatively few breeds developed in the U.S. As the story goes, the original Boykin Spaniel was a small, stray spaniel-type dog who encountered Alexander White walking home in Spartanburg, South Carolina between 1905 and 1910. Mr. White was taken with the dog and took him home. He called the dog “Dumpy,” but little Dumpy was surprisingly good at retrieving. Mr. White sent the dog to his friend and hunting partner Lemuel Whitaker “Whit” Boykin in Camden, South Carolina. Mr. Boykin experimented with crossbreeding and the resulting breed bears his name. Dumpy developed into a wonderful turkey dog and waterfowl retriever, becoming the foundation dog for the Boykin Spaniel.

Mr. Boykin wanted dogs that were small enough to fit comfortably in the small boats used by hunters in the Carolina swamps. There is speculation that he used Cocker Spaniels, American Water Spaniels, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and Springer Spaniels to develop the Boykin Spaniel. In fact, the Boykin has a number of similarities with the American Water Spaniel and some people have speculated that Dumpy may have been an American Water Spaniel or an AWS-cross.

Boykin Spaniels are always brown (liver/chocolate) with some feathering. The coat can vary from straight to almost curly.

The Camden, South Carolina area, where the breed was developed, was a popular resort area, so the breed was noticed by visitors and spread around the country. The Boykin Spaniel Society formed in 1977 and began maintaining a studbook in 1979. The studbook has been closed since 1982. The breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1985. The Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America was formed in the 1990s to achieve AKC recognition. This would also allow the club to gain access to AKC Spaniel hunt tests and AKC Spaniel field trials. The Boykin Spaniel officially gained full AKC recognition in 2009. The AKC Boykin Spaniel studbook remains open until January 1, 2025, meaning they will accept registrations of dogs registered with the United Kennel Club and/or the Boykin Spaniel Society until that time. Open registration is in the best interest of new breeds. Today the breed is the 110^th most popular breed in the U.S., according to the AKC – and the state dog of South Carolina.

Despite the fact that the Boykin is a young breed, this is considered to be a classic spaniel in temperament, in the field, and in looks. They may be hunting dogs but they’re adorable which probably has affected their popularity. Boykins are friendly, sociable, intelligent, and they make good family pets. They are good with children and other dogs and their temperament is considered to be extremely stable. As with most spaniels, Boykins are eager to please. They love attention. You would be hard-pressed to anger or annoy a Boykin.

In work matters, Boykins are considered to be easy to train and eager to work. They have plenty of energy and endurance in the field. They are also very adaptable to different kinds of environments which makes them good at working on land and retrieving in the water. They are great swimmers and love the water. If you enjoy water sports, the Boykin makes a good companion.

Boykins do require regular daily exercise. They aren’t just a house pet. They are physically active, energetic dogs and they enjoy being outdoors, using their hunting abilities. They do well with an active family or owner. They are very versatile in the field. They are retrievers and flush birds as an upland bird dog. They are not pointers, however. Since the breed was developed in South Carolina – a state known for being hot and humid – Boykins have a lot of stamina in hot weather. They are good for dove hunting and pheasant. Boykins can also be used for driving deer and in tracking wounded game.

Clipping the coat regularly is recommended if the dog is in the field often but the Boykin doesn’t have a long coat. (Many hunters use a product such as Cowboy Magic or Pam cooking spray to protect the coat when hunting so it won’t pick up burrs.) Coat length and its density tend to vary due to the different breeds involved in developing the Boykin. All coat types are acceptable. Some coats are almost curly, like that of the American Water Spaniel. Other Boykins have a straight coat like the Field Spaniel. Some Boykins have a coat that is similar to the Labrador Retriever. (It’s not unusual for sporting breeds to have some diversity in their coats that reflect the contributions of bygone dogs or breeds. For example, some English Setters have wavy, almost curly coats while others are perfectly straight and others are somewhat harsh.) Boykins can have feathering on the ears, chest, and along the stomach and legs. They may have very little feathering to moderate feathering. Boykins are always brown (liver or chocolate) but the feathering is often a little lighter. Boykin tails are docked shortly after birth, as is common with other spaniel breeds in the United States.

For more detailed information about living with Boykin Spaniels, we recommend this very good page on the Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America site. For more Boykin information you can look over this newsletter. Note that we don’t endorse all of the food and health advice in this newsletter but the pictures and stories are great.

Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which will direct you to our partner sites. If you purchase the pet foods we recommend through those links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you.

Quick Look : Top 4 Best Dog Foods for a Boykin Spaniel

Food	Price	Nutrition	Rating
Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula Read Reviews Where To Buy	$1.36/lb
Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food Read Reviews Where To Buy	$2.16/lb
*New Formula* ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food	$3.08/lb
Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food	$1.41/lb

Nutritional Needs for the Boykin Spaniel

Boykins are a medium-sized dogs. There is some suggestion that field trial breeders have been breeding the dogs to be larger so they can be more competitive against retrievers but this is not correct for the breed. The ideal height for male Boykins is 15 ½ – 18 inches at the withers. Female Boykins should be 14 – 16 ½ inches at the withers. Males weigh 30 to 40 pounds. Females weigh 25 to 35 pounds. You can view the AKC breed standard for the Boykin Spaniel here.

Many people actively hunt with Boykin Spaniels. If you do, you should take your dog’s activity level into consideration when figuring how many calories your dog will need in his diet, especially if your dog is very active. The same is true if your dog is competing in other events such as agility. Any kind of competition or stressful activity means your dog may need more calories or a change in his diet.

According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, an active adult Boykin Spaniel weighing 35 pounds requires an average daily caloric intake of 1115 kcal. Dogs that have been spayed/neutered, or that are older, may need slightly fewer calories. Some dogs may need more calories depending on their level of activity and their individual metabolism. For example, if you hunt with your Boykin Spaniel (35 lbs) doing moderate field work, you might need to feed him somewhere around 1673 kcal per day. Growing puppies consume more calories than adult dogs and so do young adult dogs. A young Boykin Spaniel puppy (4-12 months) weighing 20 pounds needs an estimated 733 kcal per day. You always need to adjust your dog’s food intake based on his activity level and other factors.

Since Boykin Spaniels are a medium-sized dog, it’s not hard to find many good foods that are appropriate for their size. You also have many choices for Boykin puppies since they don’t normally have any special food requirements – they are not large breed, small breed, etc.

For some reason, we found online that many vets seem to recommend a large breed puppy food for Boykin puppies, especially puppies sold to hunters. We’re not sure why this is so but unless we find some information documenting why Boykin puppies should have a large breed puppy food, we would recommend a regular puppy food. This is a breed somewhat prone to hip dysplasia at this time. (This is not unusual in breeds that have not been x-raying hips for too many years. You can expect the ratings to improve.) This might be the only reason we can see that would explain why vets might recommend a large breed puppy food for this breed. But the nutrients and lower calories in large breed puppy foods should make them unsuitable for smaller puppies. Here’s one of the threads we found if you are interested. We still think that Boykin puppies will do best eating a puppy food that is designed for their weight/size, i.e. a medium breed puppy.

You can choose a puppy food that is made for all puppies. Most breeders recommend feeding this food until your puppy reaches about 90 percent of his adult size. You can also feed an all life stage dog food (sometimes AAFCO-approved for “growth and reproduction”) to puppies. Just make sure to check the nutrients to make sure they are suitable for puppies – especially the calcium levels and calcium to phosphorus ratio. You should talk to your breeder about the food they recommend for their puppies since they usually have experience with how their puppies grow and develop.

Feeding Your Boykin Spaniel

As with any dog, you should feed your Boykin Spaniel a good quality dog food. Food that is high in animal protein is usually a good choice.

According to various information we have seen online, Boykin Spaniels can be affected by allergies, though the references are vague and do not state whether these are food allergies or not. Ear infections seem to be a problem for the breed. This is common for many spaniel breeds. Long, floppy ears can cut off air circulation to the ear canals, letting any bacteria grow in any moisture in the ear. Additionally, food allergies can often be exhibited as an ear problem (itchy, inflamed ears, for example). Secondary bacterial or yeast infections can then develop in the ears. Chronic ear problems usually need help from a veterinarian since they can be so hard to treat and clear up. The breed parent club does not mention allergies among health problems for the breed. If your Boykin does have food allergies or food sensitivities, you will need to take this into account when choosing a food for your dog. Triggers can be common allergens or, in some cases, they can be something odd.

Whether you feed your dog a food with or without grains is a personal choice. Many people choose grain free dog foods because their dogs have digestive problems, food allergies or sensitivities, or skin problems. You may want to avoid the most common grains, such as corn and wheat which are often over-used in dog foods, but there are many good dog foods that use alternative grains/cereals such as oats and barley. You can try a couple of foods, with and without grains, and see how your dog does on the foods so you can make your decision.

Keep in mind that food allergies are based on the proteins in foods and not carbohydrates. The most common dog food allergens are: beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, fish, corn, wheat, and soy. In the case of ingredients such as corn and wheat, dogs are allergic to the proteins in these cereals/grains and not the carbohydrates. If your Boykin Spaniel does have skin and coat problems due to allergies, it’s a good idea to work with your veterinarian so you can identify exactly which allergens trigger reactions in your dog. This makes it much easier to avoid problematic foods.

Adult Boykin Spaniels usually do well eating two meals per day. You can feed Boykin Spaniel puppies 3-4 meals when they are very young, then move to three meals per day as they get older. By the time they are about a year old they should be eating two meals per day.

Boykin Spaniel Health Problems

Boykin Spaniels are generally considered to be a healthy breed. They were developed from a number of breeds which gives them a wide foundation and diverse genetic ancestry. However, like all dogs, both purebred and mixed, they can be prone to some health issues.

The Boykin Spaniel Club (BSCBAA) has a good page on the health of the breed and common health problems. The most comon health problems found in Boykins are hip dysplasia, juvenile cataracts, patellar luxation, CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) and EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse).

The club recommends that Boykin Spaniels be tested for the following conditions:

Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist

Patellar Luxation

Hip Dysplasia

EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)

EXERCISE INDUCED COLLAPSE – DNA test through an approved lab (This has been added as a CHIC requirement as of 11/1/15)

Collie Eye Anomaly

CEA DNA based test results from an approved lab registered with the OFA (This test has been added as a CHIC requirement as of 11/1/15)

Cardiac Evaluation (Optional)

Congenital Cardiac Exam – OR

Advanced Cardiac Exam

Elbow Dysplasia (Optional)

Degenerative Myelopathy

DM DNA based test from an approved lab (this test has been added as a new optional/recommended test as of 11/1/15)

Keeping in mind that Boykins have not been a recognized breed for very long, these are the current OFA results/ratings:

Evaluations through December 2016

Boykin Spaniel statistics from the OFA database

It’s obvious that Boykin breeders are working hard to proactively test their dogs for a range of issues and take preventive steps. If you intend to get a Boykin, you should be prepared to have your dog tested and work with your breeder so the club can continue to collect data.

As you can see, hip dysplasia appears to be a particular concern in the breed. The Boykin Spanial is a relatively new breed, developed from sporting breeds of varying sizes. It’s not too surprising that hip dysplasia is a problem at this stage. We would expect the incidence of dysplasia to begin to improve dramatically within a few generations as more breeders x-ray dogs used for breeding and select dogs with better hips for breeding purposes. This is not unusual when breeds start using hip x-rays with more frequency. OFA (and PennHip) have been helping breeds improve their hip ratings for decades.

Boykins can be prone to gaining weight as they become older and start to slow down, especially if you continue to feed them the same amount and kind of food as they ate when they were younger and they aren’t getting as much exercise any more. This is normal for most dogs as they pass their prime adult years but it can be very noticeable with Boykins. They can quickly start to look “dumpy,” to bring up their ancestor. Being overweight or obese with age can lead to health problems. So, be careful to watch your Boykin’s calories and food intake as he gets older. You may need to change foods when your dog hits middle age.

The lifespan for the Boykin Spaniel is estimated to be 10-15 years but some dogs have lived to be as old as 17 years.

If you are interested in owning a Boykin, we recommend talking to a breeder and learning more about these health issues. Be sure to ask the breeder what kind of health tests their dogs have had and what the results were.

Ingredients to Look for and Some to Avoid

As with most dogs, when choosing a food for your Boykin Spaniel you should look for a food that has good sources of protein and fat.

Ideally you will select a dog food that features two or three meat proteins in the first several ingredients listed. Both whole meats and meat meals are good sources of protein. Whole meats refer to foods such as whole chicken, beef, fish, and lamb. Some people don’t like meat meals as much as whole meats but they are a concentrated form of the meat in which the moisture has been removed. They contain several times as much protein as a whole meat. Meat meals are usually quite acceptable as one of the first ingredients in a good quality dog food. They are used by many good dog food brands.

Many dog foods today, even some of the most expensive and highly touted, use lots of plant proteins such as lentils and peas. These foods often have high protein percentages on the label. When you read the guaranteed analysis it’s important to consider how much of the protein in the food comes from meat and how much comes from plants. Your dog is able to digest meat protein more easily than plant protein. Meat protein is a much more natural source of protein for your dog than plant protein.

Dogs also need good sources of fat. You should look for named fat sources such as chicken fat. Other named fats also provide needed nutrients such as fish oil which can provide omega-3 fatty acid to help keep the skin and coat healthy. Puppies can benefit from DHA which is Docosahexaenoic acid. This is a specific form of omega-3 fatty acid that helps with brain and eye development. Older dogs seem to benefit from medium chain triglycerides which feature medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These have been found to help older dogs feel and act younger. They are often made from a combination of coconut oil and other oils.

If you want to avoid corn, soy, and wheat in your dog food, your Boykin Spaniel may still be able to eat an alternative grain such as barley or oats. Or you can feed a grain free dog food that uses an alternate source of carbs that is low glycemic. You don’t have to feed a dog food with an excessively high percentage of protein but it’s a good idea to keep the carb percentage low to moderate.

If your Boykin Spaniel has a food allergy or food sensitivity, you may need to work with your veterinarian to identify the food triggers unless they are very obvious. There are lots of good foods with alternative meat proteins today as well as limited ingredient diets which we will discuss below.

Recommended Dog Food For Boykin Spaniels

Boykin Spaniels should be able to eat most good quality dog foods. Every dog is an individual. Even dogs in the same breed can have different food needs. Some dogs need more calories than others. Some dogs will do better with more protein or fat than other dogs. We are providing several suggested foods for your Boykin which meet our standards but you may have to use a trial and error method to see which food your dog does best on. Even among Boykin Spaniels, some dogs are more energetic than others.

When you are trying a new food, be sure to allow several days to slowly transition to the food, mixing in a little of your dog’s old food each day. Of course, if your dog shows signs that he doesn’t like the food or doesn’t tolerate it, you will have to make adjustments. If your dog eats the food but you don’t like his condition after a few weeks, you can change him back – slowly – to his previous food. It’s best not to go directly to another new food. You can upset your dog’s gastrointestinal system if you keep changing to too many new foods in a short period of time. Once your dog has settled back with his old food, you can once again try a new food. You should allow at least a couple of weeks between foods before trying another new food so you can give your dog’s system a chance to rest and recover. This also gives the new food a fair chance.

If you try a new food and your dog doesn’t seem enthusiastic about it, you might also try another food from the same product line that uses a different kind of meat protein or other ingredients. As long as the guaranteed analysis and nutrient percentages are similar, the food should be similar to the original food you selected.

When you are feeding a new food and your dog is eating it without problems, it’s important for you to assess his physical condition. Is he gaining or losing weight on the new food? Does his coat look healthy? Are his eyes bright? Does he seem to have good energy or is he more lethargic than usual? And, the big question for any dog lover – what does his poop look like? As most dog lovers know, you can tell a lot about a dog’s health by checking his poop. Does it look normal and firm? If he having regular bowel movements? Those are good signs. If your dog is having runny poop or diarrhea; or if he is having trouble with his bowel movements, it could be because of the new food. These are all things you should note during the first few weeks of feeding a new food. Even if your dog LOVES the food, if he’s not thriving, you may have to rethink his diet or how much you are feeding him.

Most of the foods we have selected here do not contain corn, wheat, or soy, unless noted. You may have to try a couple of foods to find which one is best for your dog. You should also keep in mind that your dog’s dietary needs can change as he grows and ages so you may have to change foods to suit him.

Best Dog Foods for Boykin Spaniel Adults

Food	Price	Nutrition	Rating
Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula Read Reviews Where To Buy	$1.36/lb
Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food Read Reviews Where To Buy	$2.16/lb
New Formula* ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food	$3.08/lb
Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food	$1.41/lb

Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula   

This Canidae formula is an all life stages food so you can feed it to dogs of all ages. The first five ingredients are: Chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, brown rice, and white rice. The food does contain grains (rice, oatmeal, barley) but even many dogs that have problems with corn or wheat can eat these grains which provide dietary fiber. The food contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The food is naturally preserved and it contains pre- and probiotics for healthy digestion, along with antioxidants and omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids for good skin and coat. The guaranteed analysis shows 24 percent crude protein; 14.5 percent crude fat; and 4 percent crude fiber. It has 468 kcal/cup. We think this is a good food for dogs that do well on moderate protein and fat. Canidae has had a good reputation for many years.

Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food

If you would like a higher protein percentage for your Boykin Spaniel, many dog owners like Merrick Grain Free foods. The first five ingredients in this food are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, and Potatoes. This recipe is an all life stage food with 460 kcal per cup ME (metabolizable energy) on an as fed basis (calculated). It has 70 percent meat ingredients, 30 percent vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. It is grain free – no corn, wheat, or soy. No gluten. No ingredients from China. It has 38 percent crude protein and 17 percent crude fat, with 3.5 percent crude fiber. It also has glucosamine and chondroitin added, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Merrick uses local growers from Texas, where the food is made. We think this food has good quality protein and other ingredients for a very active Boykin. Not everyone will like a protein percentage this high but if you do, give this food a try.

ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food

If your Boykin Spaniel is very active (doing field work or agility, for example), we can also recommend Acana foods. Champion Pet Foods has completed their new kitchen in Kentucky and they have reformulated some of their dog and cat foods to reflect what is now “regional” to the Kentucky area. So, it’s still the same award-winning company, but Acana is being made in Kentucky. We’ve had a chance to review the Acana dog and cat foods and there are some changes in the meat proteins but the foods still look good. If you visit the Acana web site you can view the old and new formulas to see the changes (we really like being able to compare the formulas). The current (old) Grasslands formula, for example, is heavy on lamb, duck, whitefish, and lentils. The new formula will feature goat meal and catfish meal, in addition to the lamb and duck. The old formula has 31 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. The new formula has 33 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 6 percent crude fiber, and 12 percent moisture. The food has 60 percent animal protein ingredients and 40 percent vegetables, fruits, and botanicals. No grains, potatoes, or tapioca. If you’re looking for a good grain free dog food for your Boykin that is low in carbohydrates, we think that the Acana foods are a good choice. Acana foods typically have slightly less meat protein than Orijen (made by the same company), but we think they’re a good choice for many dogs. Most people still seem to like the Acana foods now that they are being made in Kentucky but if you have questions about them, we recommend talking to people who feed these foods to their dogs for their opinions.

Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food

If you would like a food with a little less protein, we also like Fromm Adult Gold. This formula has duck, chicken meal, and chicken as the first three ingredients. It has 24 percent crude protein, 16 percent crude fat, and 3.5 percent crude fiber, with 408 kcal/cup. It is AAFCO-approved for growth and maintenance. The food includes salmon oil – a great source of omega-3 fatty acid for healthy skin and coat; probiotics, and prebiotics. No corn, wheat, or soy. The food is also made at the family’s own facilities in Wisconsin. The Fromm family has been making dog food and dog products for over 100 years and they have a great reputation. The food includes brown rice and pearled barley in the first five ingredients. It does contain oatmeal and potatoes so if you are trying to keep the carbs very low you may not like this food. However, we think the ingredients are good quality and many dogs will do well on this food. You can see the technical analysis for the food, with the dry matter basis figures on the site. Fromm also makes their popular Four Star line of dog foods which feature favorites such as Chicken a la Veg and Hasen Duckenfeffer.

If you hunt with your Boykin Spaniel, we found that many hunters online recommend Purina ProPlan Sport, Eukanuba Performance, and even Taste of the Wild. All of these foods have higher protein AND fat percentages which make them good choices for dogs in the field that are running off a lot of calories while hunting or training. Some people will have qualms about the Purina ProPlan because it contains various forms of corn and animal digest. The Eukanuba also contains corn. Nevertheless, these are very good foods if your dog can eat them. We do not hesitate to recommend them and we know MANY people who have been feeding these foods for decades with excellent results. Both companies have invested millions of dollars in pet food nutrition and research – research which is utilized by smaller companies today. If you would like to feed ProPlan for the nutrition but you don’t like the ingredients, they do have some natural foods that are grain free with no corn, wheat or soy, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and no poultry by-product meal.

If you like Taste of the Wild, do read the labels carefully. The ingredients and nutrient percentages vary a great deal between formulas.

Best Dog Foods for Boykin Spaniel Puppies

Boykin Spaniel puppies can usually begin eating a puppy food right after they are weaned or they can eat a good all life stage food. If you have questions about how to feed your puppy, we recommend talking to your puppy’s breeder. They usually have the most experience with raising Boykin puppies and can guide you.

Remember that Boykin Spaniels are a breed that can be prone toward hip dysplasia. This means that it’s particularly important to keep Boykin puppies lean. Any tendency toward being overweight as a puppy or young adult can put added stress on a dog’s bones and joints at a crucial growth period and worsen the chance of developing hip dysplasia or other bone/joint problems later in life. So, don’t overfeed your Boykin puppy. This is a very active breed so this may not be a problem. Your puppy may run and play so much that he never gets fat. But it’s something you should watch.

Puppy foods should have a calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 1.2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. It’s also important that dog and puppy foods do not have an excess of calcium since this can affect bone growth. If you are feeding your puppy a food that is properly formulated, you should not add any extra calcium, such as milk, cottage cheese, or other calcium supplements. Doing so can lead to serious health problems such as OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) and other orthopedic problems.

Keep in mind that all life stage dog foods are formulated to be nutritionally adequate for growing puppies. Foods for puppies may also have the AAFCO statement that they are approved for “growth and reproduction.”

Here are some of the puppy foods we like for Boykin Spaniel puppies.

This is one of our favorite foods for all puppies. Canidae

Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula

 Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula is a limited ingredient food with nine ingredients plus vitamins and minerals and probiotics. It’s grain free with probiotics to help digestion; antioxidants for a healthy immune system; and omega 3 and 6 to support healthy skin and a beautiful coat. The first five ingredients are chicken, menhaden fish meal, lentils, peas, and potatoes. The recipe is supposed to be especially good for puppies with sensitive digestion. The food has 30 percent crude protein, 12 percent crude fat, 4 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. This food checks in at 520 kcal/cup, so it’s high in calories but active, growing Boykin puppies can usually burn them off. Just remember that you don’t need to feed a lot of food with these very nutrient-dense foods. If your Boykin Spaniel puppy does well on this puppy food, Canidae has some good adult foods – both grain free and foods with grains.

Fromm Puppy Gold formula

Similar to Fromm’s Gold Adult formula, this puppy formula contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The first three ingredients are duck, chicken meal, and chicken. The food has moderate protein and fat to encourage puppies to grow slowly. The food has 417 kcal/cup. The technical analysis for the food shows the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio for puppies. The food has 27 percent crude protein; 18 percent crude fat; and 3.5 percent crude fiber. Fromm Puppy Gold formula also has added DHA-rich salmon oil for good brain and eye development in puppies. The USDA-inspected ingredients for the food are delivered fresh each morning. We think this food could be a good choice for Boykin puppies.

Best Dog Foods for the Senior Boykin Spaniel

It’s not unusual for many Boykin Spaniels to live into their teen years. This means that you will probably need to consider what kind of food to feed your dog as he gets older. As your dog ages it’s a good idea to plan an annual senior check-up with your vet. Many older dogs begin to put on pounds as they become less active. For this reason, most senior dog foods have fewer calories and they can skimp on protein. You should watch your older dog’s weight as he gets older to make sure he doesn’t become overweight. In some cases you can simply cut back on the portions of his regular dog food to help him stay fit or increase his exercise.

On the other hand, some very old dogs often start to have some problems metabolizing nutrients, including protein. It can become hard for them to keep good muscle tone and weight as they age. For this reason, you may wish to avoid many dog foods labeled “senior.” These foods are often formulated for older dogs that have gained weight. Instead, look for a senior dog food that has lots of protein. As long as your older dog doesn’t have any problems with his kidneys or with phosphorus, there is no reason to avoid higher protein levels.

It’s very important that senior dogs have good quality protein. Good quality protein is easier to digest and metabolize than poor quality protein. It provides the older dog with more nutrition that he can use. So, plan on giving your older Boykin the very best food possible with excellent sources of protein.

Orijen Senior Dog

Orijen Senior provides plenty of excellent quality protein for your older dog. This food features free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and nest-laid eggs. It helps keep older dogs in good muscle even as they become less active. Made of 80 percent meats and fish, the food is low-glycemic and has low carbs to help keep your older dog’s blood sugar steady. The food also contains natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to keep your dog’s joints healthy. The food is 38 percent crude protein and 15 percent crude fat. It checks in at 445 kcal per 250ml/120g cup. We think this is a very good food for senior dogs who often need extra protein as they get older. (We know Orijen is expensive but this food really stands out for senior dogs.)

Another food you may want to consider for older dogs is Weruva’s Caloric Harmony Venison and Salmon Meal Dinner with Pumpkin. This food (and several others in this product line) is potato-free with no corn or wheat, easy to digest, and low-glycemic. It contains pumpkin and oatmeal for healthy gut motility. The first five ingredients are: Venison, Venison Meal, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, and Oatmeal. Meat protein comes from grass-fed venison. The dry matter basis for this food is an estimated 37.8 percent protein;14.4 percent fat; 3.9 percent fiber; and 35 percent carbs. The calorie count (calculated) is Metabolizable Energy (ME) 3320 kcal/kg; 348 kcal/cup. This food is not specifically made for senior dogs but we think those look like good figures for senior dogs that need more good quality protein without extra fat.

Best Dog Foods for Boykin Spaniels with Skin Problems

If your Boykin Spaniel is having skin problems or problems with food allergies, you will probably want to avoid foods that contain known food allergens such as beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. If your dog is having food allergies – which usually manifest as itching, redness, chewing, hair loss, and sometimes ear problems – you will need to identify the trigger for his allergy. You can try to guess the trigger or work with your veterinarian on a food trial and elimination diet for your dog. You may need to find a novel protein for your dog – a protein that he has not eaten previously. Natural Balance has a selection of limited ingredient diets that can be helpful for dogs with food allergies. You might try giving your dog the rabbit formula, kangaroo formula, venison formula, or bison formula. He should be able to eat a meat protein that he has not eaten previously without having an allergic reaction.

Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Potato & Rabbit Dry Dog Formula

This limited ingredient diet food has limited sources of protein and carbs. It’s also grain free and complete and balanced for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. The food should be easy for your Boykin to digest and it contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Wild Calling! Xotic Essentials Rabbit Meal Recipe

Any dog suffering from skin problems or food allergies may benefit from Wild Calling’s Xotic Essentials recipes. Formulas like their rabbit meal recipe use exotic meats that are rare in today’s pet food market so your dog probably hasn’t eaten them before – and has less chance of having an allergic reaction. The foods are also highly digestible. Wild Calling also uses what they call LITe (limited ingredient technology). They don’t use any of the ingredients commonly found in most dog foods such as chicken, grain, gluten, egg, yeast, corn, wheat or soy. If your Boykin has a food allergy, he may benefit from Wild Calling. The foods are formulated for rotational feeding and they offer several Xotic Essentials recipes, such as kangaroo and bison, so your dog doesn’t get over-exposed to one kind of meat protein. This is an All Life Stage food. We think that dogs with skin problems and food allergies can definitely benefit from these recipes.

Another food that is often recommended for dogs with food allergies and skin problems is Zignature. It comes in proteins such as trout & salmon, kangaroo, turkey, duck, venison, and others. It’s available in dry and canned versions. Foods are potato- and grain-free, and chicken-free. They do not use common bonding agents (thickeners and ingredients to hold the food together) in their foods which are high in simple carbs and starches. They only use low glycemic carbs such as chickpeas that add extra protein and fiber to the food. They work with Tuffy’s in Minnesota and Performance Pet in South Dakota to make their foods. Many people like Zignature very much. If you have a dog with food allergies, this is a brand that you might consider. This duck formula is a good example with hypo-allergenic meat first, no corn, wheat, soy, dairy or chicken, chicken eggs or chicken by-products.

Best Dog Foods for Boykin Spaniels with Sensitive Stomachs

Many dogs are susceptible to food sensitivities that affect their digestion and excretion. If your dog has a sensitive stomach it can be an indication of a food sensitivity, which is different form a food allergy. A dog with a food sensitivity will have gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. Or it could be something more serious.

A dog with a sensitive stomach can often be helped by feeding the right dog food. Sticking to a limited ingredient diet food with as few ingredients as possible can reduce the chance of your dog having a bad reaction to something in the food.

Many people recommend Wellness Simple for dogs with food sensitivities. The formulas feature only five main ingredients to keep things very simple for your Boykin Spaniel. Wellness makes formulas that are both grain free and some that have grains such as oatmeal. The food is easy to digest and contains probiotics and prebiotics to help the gastrointestinal system. It also contains omega fatty acids for good skin and coat. Formulas feature duck, salmon, turkey, and lamb. Wellness Simple comes in dry and canned formulas.

We also recommend Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Dry Dog Food. This food is grain free with limited ingredients. It has good quality, alternative ingredients that are easily digestible for a dog with a sensitive stomach. And it contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The first five ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Salmon, Fish Meal, Potato Protein, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols). It has 21 percent crude protein, 10 percent crude fat, 5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. It has 350 kcal/cup and it’s a maintenance formula. If your dog can’t eat some of the ingredients in this food, Natural Balance has lots of other LID recipes that you might check.

If your dog can’t eat these ingredients, you might try one of the Weruva foods or Acana Singles. Weruva also has lots of foods with pumpkin which can sometimes help a dog with stomach issues.

Best Dog Foods for Overweight Boykin Spaniels

Boykins are such an active, energetic breed that you may never have a problem with your dog becoming overweight. However, some dogs do slow down as they get older. You can often help your Boykin Spaniel lose weight by cutting back on his portions and encouraging him to get more exercise.

If your Boykin needs to lose more than a few pounds, however, you may need to consider a weight control dog food.

We do not recommend a weight control dog food for a puppy or a very old dog. These foods generally have fewer calories and may have some other differences in nutrients that make them inappropriate for growing puppies or older dogs who need special nutrition. Many weight control foods contain a lot of filler ingredients or empty carbohydrates which makes it hard to recommend them.

If you have a Boykin Spaniel who needs to lose weight, we can recommend Fromm Gold Weight Management. It can be hard to find a good weight control dog food but Fromm is a quality brand with good ingredients. This food has 25 percent crude protein and 10 percent crude fat so it’s not that much different from some of the adult foods we’ve recommended. It has 341 Kcal/cup. Fed in moderation, it should help most overweight Boykins lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. The first five ingredients are: Turkey Liver, Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, and Dried Tomato Pomace.

Fromm also has a grain free weight control formula called Fromm Gold Coast Grain Free Weight Management Dog Food with the same crude protein and fat percentages if you prefer a grain free weight control food for your dog.

If your dog needs to lose weight, you should proceed slowly. No crash dieting. You should aim for your dog to lose no more than 3 to 5 percent of his body weight per month or about one percent each week.

Conclusion

Boykin Spaniels are friendly, sociable, energetic, fun-loving, easy to train, hardy dogs. They make wonderful family dogs and they are excellent in the field and in the water. If you have children or other dogs, a Boykin should get along very well with them. It’s really hard to say anything bad about these little brown dogs. This is still a relatively new breed and breeders are diligently working on improving the breed’s health for the future. While these happy spaniels do make great companions, you should keep in mind that they are hunting dogs and they need plenty of regular exercise. If you are interested in learning more about the Boykin Spaniel, contact the Boykin Spaniel Club and Breeders Association of America.

Below is a list of products reviewed in this article

1. Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula

2. Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food

3. ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food

4. Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food
5. Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula

6. Fromm Puppy Gold formula

7. Nulo Freestyle Senior Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe
8. Weruva’s Caloric Harmony Venison and Salmon Meal Dinner with Pumpkin

9. Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Potato & Rabbit

10. Wild Calling! Xotic Essentials Rabbit Meal Recipe

11. Zignature
12. Wellness Simple
13. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Dry Dog Food
14. Fromm Gold Weight Management
15. Fromm Gold Coast Grain Free Weight Management Dog Food