So I got a Boykin

[Core Lokt]

His name is Milo and he will be 6 months on the 9th. Obedience is going great, doing that myself. I've always had labs so he is much higher strung than any other dog I have had.

Anyone else on here have one? He is loyal and wants to be with me at all times. I take him everywhere I go when not working. I mainly duck hunt but have never trained a dog to do so. don't have much access to dove fields. Trying to figure out if I want to hunt him or just be a pet. He was 28lbs at last vet check 2 weeks ago.

 

[SLY22]

Good looking Boykin!
Love my Boykin. He just turned 5 yo this past May. I upland hunt mine and he absolutely loves it.By far the best dog I've ever owned. He also does great retrieving ducks and doves.

 

[Red dirt clod]

My Rex is 4 and has been a really good dog as just a pet, he definitely has a motor on him.

 

[GLS]

Pretty pooch. You are on the right track. No reason he can't be used to hunt woodcock besides retrieve ducks. Being a pet and hunting dog aren't mutually exclusive. I've done that with my Brittanys for years. Gil

 

[jdgator]

Handsome fella! They are ideal for woodducks and doves.

 

[sparky]

my daughter has one for a pet,good dog,he just strows poop when he squats,doesn't stand still

 

[tmiller]

I am convinced that they are the best dogs for hunting and for pets! Our Sadie is 4 and she is a hunting machine! She has hunted doves, quail, pheasants and ducks. I think by far her favorite is ducks (she has even tracked a few deer). She is UNBELIEVABLY smart! I just trained her to retrieve and obedience and she figured out the rest.

 

[Core Lokt]

I am convinced that they are the best dogs for hunting and for pets! Our Sadie is 4 and she is a hunting machine! She has hunted doves, quail, pheasants and ducks. I think by far her favorite is ducks (she has even tracked a few deer). She is UNBELIEVABLY smart! I just trained her to retrieve and obedience and she figured out the rest.

Cool. He is very smart and has a nose on him. Heck I hung one of those bird seed blocks the other day and the first time he went out after that I saw he threw his nose in the air and went straight to it and sat and stared at it LOL and it's 6-7' in the air on a tree.

I think we made a good choice and my wife has really fallen in love with him and she has never been a dog person.

 

[tmiller]

Cool. He is very smart and has a nose on him. Heck I hung one of those bird seed blocks the other day and the first time he went out after that I saw he threw his nose in the air and went straight to it and sat and stared at it LOL and it's 6-7' in the air on a tree.

I think we made a good choice and my wife has really fallen in love with him and she has never been a dog person.

We are convinced that she knows what we say and we have figured out how she communicates with us......I am telling you man these dogs are crazy smart! The biggest thing I had to learn is they thrive on positive reinforcement, and they do not do well when you get on to them when you are training. They will pout and shut down. The guy we bought her from said to just work with her every day for 15-20 minutes her first year and that's what I did and she has turned out fantastic!

 

[NCMTNHunter]

You have the dog and like to hunt. Hunt him! I don’t really duck hunt and never trained a retriever but I would think as long as a dog had good blind manners and would retrieve marked birds it would be enjoyable to hunt with. Anything on top of that would be icing on the cake! I’m sure there are some retriever guys around here that could get you going in the right direction.

 

[cracker4112]

We have 2 and I trained the older dog to hunt. We hunt upland, doves, snipe and quail. i will hunt her for ducks but down here its got to be the right situation, like water inches deep, no swimming. They are the prefect size for a gator snack. I'd never hunt mine on your lake unless the water was very very low.

Younger one is just a pet, and my wifes shadow.

They are great dogs.

 

[Knothead71]

Would one of ya'll that dove hunt with your Boykin be willing to let me tag along? We had to put our German Shepherd down and we're thinking strongly about getting a Boykin.
I'm just interested in seeing how they hunt. I won't even bring a gun, just want to watch.

 

[Core Lokt]

He will be 7 months old on the 9th. He is a great dog. Couldn't have asked for a better dog. Loyal to me and my wife but takes to me more. Wife has never been a dog person but has fallen in love with him.

 

[Core Lokt]

He also loves our grandson. And grandson loves him. If you see one you will see the other.

 

[Core Lokt]

Would one of ya'll that dove hunt with your Boykin be willing to let me tag along? We had to put our German Shepherd down and we're thinking strongly about getting a Boykin.
I'm just interested in seeing how they hunt. I won't even bring a gun, just want to watch.

I have read about and know people that dove hunt them and say they are excellent hunters. Ducks too. One guy I know didn't even train his. Just started taking it duck hunting and the dog figured it out on his own on retrieving ducks.

After getting Milo I would say go for it! Very loyal dog too.

 

[Core Lokt]

Update- will be 8 months on the 9th of August. He is house trained and has been for months. Lets the 18 month old grandson lay all over him and doesn't snap at him or anything, just licks. Grandson and Daughter just left and Milo is lost without Liam here. Does well with me shooting guns around him too.

37.6 lbs last week at the vet. He is chilling after 4 days of the grandson being here.

 

[Red dirt clod]

He looks just like our Rex, great dogs.

 

[Core Lokt]

I hope his coat stays slick and doesn't get curly. Going to get his second cut soon. Lady uses scissors on the legs, ears and head. She said if you start cutting them close with clippers on the body they will most likely go curly.

He is a great dog.

 

[GeorgiaBob]

Good looking Chief of the House.

 

[SC Hunter]

Good looking boy there!! Our next one will be a spaniel more than likely. Either Boykin or English cocker, I'm not sure yet but I'm about ready to train another bird dog I believe. That's a good looking pup you have and it's a blessing he's so gentle with the youngins.