Anyone have any experience with Boykins in the duck blind?

John Stephens, the owner of RNT Calls, uses a Boykin. I figure that’s as good an advertisement for the breed as it gets

Wow. Good to know.

I've seen them used. If most of your hunting is flooded fields in AR, long wet retrieves, very cold temps, I'd go for something with more body mass/cold resistance. If you are shooting woodies in small ponds, mixed with doves in the fall, they are about perfect. There is a fair amount of variation in body size, and if you are determined to go with the Boykin as an all round duck dog, I'd look at the larger bloodlines.
I switched to English Cockers about 15 years ago. Similar body type, but I like the personality on the Cocker more.

I’ve always wanted one but ended with another lab. A guy I know raises duck hunting Boykins are easy to handle.

I have heard of an occasional they get too cold and quit on ya but never saw it first hand.

Used one as a duck dog some years ago. Good little retriever but I had to carry him out over a mile one night when his eyes glazed over due to cold conditions. He made it thankfully. They just can’t handle the extreme cold wet conditions like a lab. Make good little pets also. My niece has one now she got at the Baldwin county shelter. She has her spoiled rotten😊

Oh yea do not hunt them in cuckle burrs you will be picking them out for hours

I’ll never have another one. Spaniels are ornery, they hold a grudge and can’t take pressure like a lab. They do make good dove dogs.

Good boat dogs. Not ideal for busting ice though

I’d be afraid to buy one. Two of the three people I know that bought one had health issues with them. One had hip dysplasia and the other had some other genetic issue and didn’t live but a couple years.

Great dove dogs and family pets. For busting ice and cold weather hunting I’d go lab.

Boykins are nice little dogs. They are not the dog for cold conditions. Watched one almost freeze to death in the timber in Arkansas. Leave them at home when you have to break ice.

I have one. Fantastic little dog and does great with ducks, but when the temps start to get below 35-40 degrees, he’s usually left at the camp. I’ve taken him when we had to break ice, and it was a little too cold for him.

Great all around dog though. Love the breed

We have one. Great little dog. Lots of heart and stamina . Great disposition but a little more energy than the typical lab. Wonderful family dog and very devoted.

I had one for 12 yr, took her to work with me, great little dog. hardly ever took her duck hunting but she would find a dove in the nastiest stuff,; would buy pen raised quail & pheasant and she'd find em and put them in the air then retrieve. found a handful of wounded deer for me and several friends. before the Boykin, also had a smart little Springer that would do the same work and was the best dog companion I ever had. just gotta make sure you're getting the right bloodline if you're getting it for the hunt, check out the parents like you are making a 15 yr commitment-couse you are

Boykins were oddities 20 years ago, and like any other breed that suddenly becomes popular starting with a limited pool, there are a fair number of dogs now that don't have the qualities that made the breed popular in the first place. You'll have to do your research. Also, as others have mentioned, they tend to be "soft" in comparison with a lab..Not that they aren't game in the field, but it takes a more patient and light touch training a spaniel. Springers and Cockers are similar. Delightful dogs for what they are, but if you are looking for an all round duck dog, they ain't generally it. And before somebody jumps in about his cousin's friend's brother's dog in Nebraska, yes, there are exceptions to every rule.

If you just duck hunt labs are the best by a long shot. If you want something other than a lab that’s more versatile (upland game, blood trailing, retriever) look at a drahthaar. I’ve got my first drahthaar right now and she is a stud.

I’ve always been intrigued by them.

I did have one the best pointing/flushing labs that kept his one on upland birds.
He was lacking in the duck hole and I was scared of open water. He didn’t have an undercoat either.

One thing to consider is Boykins were originally bred to be more of dual purpose dog in a smaller package than the typical single retriever. They were meant to be as comfortable in the fields as the water. They were upland dogs and Turkey dogs ( flushers) as well as retrieving dogs. Labs on the other hand started as retrievers primarily. I love Labs too but Boykins are a great choice for a lot of people.