Petzlover
Boykin Spaniel is originated from United States but Kunming Dog is originated from China. Boykin Spaniel may grow 22 cm / 8 inches shorter than Kunming Dog. Boykin Spaniel may weigh 20 kg / 44 pounds lesser than Kunming Dog. Both Boykin Spaniel and Kunming Dog has almost same life span. Both Boykin Spaniel and Kunming Dog has almost same litter size. Both Boykin Spaniel and Kunming Dog requires Moderate Maintenance.
The Boykin Spaniel was originally bred by South Carolina hunters as the perfect dog for hunting wild bird during the early 1900s. Alexander White of Spartanburg found a short, well built dog and named him Dumpy. The dog was given to a certain L. Whitaker Boykin and a similar dog in looks was found and mated with Dumpy on Boykin’s Pine Grove plantation. Whitaker Boykin was particularly looking for a special kind of hunting dog breed that could wade into swamplands and into water.
Boykin’s spaniels were popular in South Carolina before World War II and later, in 1977, the Boykin Spaniel Society was founded to ensure the breeding standards of the dog. In 1985, the Boykin Spaniel was declared the state dog of South Carolina and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2009.
Known also as the Kunming Wolfdog, the Kunming Dog is similar in looks to the German Shepherd Dog, but the coat is recognizably shorter.
It’s an attractive looking wolf-like dog which comes from China. It isn’t quite clear which dog breeds were used in the gene pool for these Kunming wolfdogs. You can see though that the German Shepherd as well as other wolfdog-crosses have played a part in the breed's origin.
The dog was created in the early 1950s for military- and guard dog purposes. In 1988, the Chinese Public Security Bureau officially recognized the Kunming Dog as a breed. Today, the dog is still used in military and police services.
You can’t miss the medium-sized Boykin Spaniel with his magnificent coat in different shades of brown. When he gleams in the sun he looks like chocolate. This type of Spaniel is a bit bigger than the English Cocker Spaniel, but he is heavier, weighing between 13 to 18kg. He has large, floppy feathery ears and the tail has always been docked to give him that distinct look, but now with rules and regulations, the tail is often left so that it is long and feathery. The height of this dog at the withers is 39 to 43cm.
The length of the dog’s coat varies somewhat because of the different breeds from the past. Essentially the coat is medium length and wavy to curly with light feathering around the legs, ears, chest and stomach.
The Boykin Spaniel is social and he makes an excellent family pet. He is good around children and other dogs, and with training and socialization he becomes even more amicable and obedient.
The Kunming is a large dog, athletic and muscular, standing at 60 – 68cm and weighing 30 – 38kg. They are dogs which fall under the Spitz type category.
The dog has a coat which is considered seasonal - double layered in the cooler months and shedding to a shorter coat in the hotter months. The thick coat can be a light tan color to white and he has a black saddle pattern, giving the dog an overall black and tan combination.
The bushy tail is long and its carried down and low except when the dog is excited and alert, then it lifts its tail. The ears are erect like that of the German Shepherd or Wolf.
He isn’t the best breed for a first time owner as he is very strong willed and can tend to become aggressive. It is why he has been used to perform tasks in the military.
These dogs are known for their alertness, and to keep him mentally balanced and amicable, he will need a strong, firm owner who is also fair, patient and consistent. Bored and frustrated, a Kunming can become unpredictable and a first time dog owner might not be able to cope with such an independent, strong-willed, determined, confident dog.
He is also energetic and intelligent, making a great family dog as he is loyal, loving and devoted. His intelligence allows him to learn easily too. Training and socialization will be required if you want him to be obedient.
He is adaptable and can adjust to life in the city or the countryside, but essentially he is better suited to a home with large grounds as he is a dog which is full of energy.
The Boykin Spaniel is a diverse breed. The characteristics of the dog aren’t set in stone. He is a hunting dogs with boundless energy and enthusiasm. He is an intelligent breed and responds well to training and is obedient to your commands. He is all about fun and excitement and he is guaranteed to make a splendid companion.
Active and social, he is going to need input from his owners in terms of exercise and mental stimulation. He isn’t a dog to just ignore and in exchange for love and care, he is going to be a loving, loyal and fun companion for you.
Your attractive Kunming dog is an energetic, lively dog who is going to require a good deal of exercise as he was developed to be a working dog.
They are loving towards their human families and even well behaved with other dogs in the family. He will however need socialization and training from a firm, fair, consistent owner.
Provide him with a loving environment, lots of exercise, wholesome food, a warm, dry place to sleep and lots of mental and physical stimulation, and you’ll have a wonderful, contended pet and companion.
The Boykin Spaniel is a healthy breed with a life span of 14 to 16 years. There are some diseases that you want to be aware of with your Boykin Spaniel.
Always be aware of Hip Dysplasia as it can reduce your pet’s quality of life.. In dogs with hip dysplasia, the hip joint doesn’t to develop properly and deterioration sets in and your pet can lose function of the joint. You’ll notice your pet battling to stand up after lying down. The frightening this is that some dogs begin to show signs of hip dysplasia as early as 4 months of age.
The Boykin Spaniel’s most common health problems apart from hip dysplasia are patellar luxation and juvenile cataracts.
Your Kunming can reach 12 to 14 years of age if he is loved, fed correctly and adequately exercised. Just as with any dog, he can be susceptible to some of the common dog illnesses. These include the likes of hip dysplasia, bloat, epilepsy, eye problems, ear infections, intestinal parasites, heart disease and skin problems.
Worms are a chronic problem in dogs and the thing is, they can infect humans too. If you don’t treat worms in your dog, it can lead to your pet becoming seriously ill. You may notice loss of appetite, a dull, thinning coat, anemia and diarrhea.
The vet will be able to offer a treatment that can help with eradicating hook-, round- and tapeworms.
This may sound like a mild dog disease but it can cause a lot of misery for your pet. You’ll notice your pet licking, scratching and biting at raw, red spots on his skin. With bacterial- or yeast infections, your pet can battle with itchiness, pain and discomfort. Luckily your vet can recommend treatments to effectively alleviate symptoms.
The Boykin Spaniel has been a gun dog and because he is energetic, he will need plenty of exercise and activities. Take him for walks or allow him to swim in the farm dam if you live in the country. He isn’t a dog to leave on his own in your backyard as he needs exercise as well as mental stimulation to keep him from becoming frustrated and developing destructive habits.
The Boykin’s hair will need to be brushed as least twice a week to prevent it from matting, particularly if he is a country-living dog, in and out of water and running through long grass. He is not a heavy shedder but his shedding is seasonal. As a long eared dog, he will need to have his ears checked to prevent infection.
Other grooming habits to get used to with your Boykin Spaniel are having his nails trimmed and brushing his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothpaste and brush.
Boykin Spaniel owners who know the breed well say that there is nothing better than feeding your dog raw meat with vegetables and rice. Of course, not everyone can afford to feed their pets raw meat every day, and that’s alright. Just make sure that every now and then you include raw meat into your pet’s diet.
The very best commercially produced dog foods can also be good for your pet. If in doubt, speak to your veterinarian about the best food for your active, energetic pet. Never, ever deprive your pet of fresh, cool water throughout the day and night.
Grooming for the thick coat should be done regularly. The dog sheds quite a bit and seasonally and you'll want to brush him twice a week to rid the coat of those loose hairs.
The Kunming Dog is high energy and will therefore suit a family who is active and sporty. He is the kind of dog that you can include in all your activities – walks, hikes, running next to you when you go cycling and swimming.
This is an active dog and you want the best food for him, packed with vitamins and minerals to keep him lively and energetic. Instead of giving him one large meal a day that he gulps down quickly, split his food into 2 smaller meals.
Your dog’s age, his breed and his energy levels will direct you as to how to feed him.
Remember, that although commercially manufactured dog foods need to comply with certain standards, it doesn't guarantee their goodness. It may not be digestible for your pet. If you want to use one of these foods, choose the best there is and try to mix in some wholesome home-made food from time to time.
Cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and some raw or cooked vegetables can be excellent for him as well as adding in some raw meat occasionally.