Kanni vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

The Kanni dog is a rare South Indian Sighthound. It is also known as the Maiden's Beastmaster and this is because it is known to be protector and defender of its owner's property.

During ancient times, the dog was used for hunting but today it is essentially kept as a pet and it is registered with the Kennel Club of India.

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.

These dogs are tall, slim and deep chested, coming in two-color combinations, but it is the black and tan variety that is the true Kanni. There is also a cream variety. There are other color variations and each color has a unique name connected to it. The coat of the Kanni is short and smooth.

They are medium sized dogs standing at 62 to 67cm at the withers and weighing in the region of 18 – 22kg. When you first look at these dogs you might think of them as being similar to a Greyhound in looks. This is also because of their lean, muscular looks.

The eyes are a golden color, the nose black and the ears are a medium size and floppy with the long tail being semi-curved.

Temperament:

The Kanni has always been a hunting dog so he is used to being sharp, strong-willed, independent and alert as well as having some aggressive tendencies. It is also quite a reserved dog but he shows love and loyalty to his owner. He is independent and easy to train. It is a good thing to have him trained and socialized so that he is obedient to the simple commands you give him.

The Boykin’s Looks:

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.

Temperament:

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 Kanni looks much like your regular Doberman Pinscher but he has long tail and floppy ears. He is slim and agile but also powerful being able to have bursts of speed. It is why he requires a large place to run and play in, being better suited to a home with a large garden or farm.

He is a playful, quiet dog but he has quite a bark on him and is known to be a good watchdog because of this. He is a protective dog too, devoted and loyal and making a splendid family pet.

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.

Not much is known about inherited health problems in this breed, and he can live up to a ripe old age of 16. It seems a pretty healthy dog, but still it helps to be aware of some of the more common dog illnesses that your pet can succumb to.

For first time dog owners it can be difficult knowing what health problems our beloved pets could suffer from. Every dog breed has certain diseases to which they are more prone to, but these are some common issues that most of our 4-legged friends will face -

Diarrhea:

This is a common dog health problem in India with the Kanni. There are so many things that disagree with their digestion. Most dogs may not want to eat their next meal, but when he is lethargic, he is hot and is vomiting, it is time to get your pet to the vet. This is because diarrhea causes rapid dehydration in dogs. To avoid diarrhea, steer clear of certain foods such as milk and dairy products as well as old, spoiled fatty foods. With diarrhea your dog must always have access to fresh, cool water.

Ear Infections:

This is a common dog disease, and ear infections can be painful and frustrating for your pet. He’ll scratch at his ear, shake his head and the inside of the ear may be red with a discharge. Check his ears for redness and try to keep them free from wax build up and dust.

Cleaning the ear is quite simple, and if you’re not sure how, the vet can do it quickly and effectively. Usually some dog ear cleaning solution on some cotton wool can do the trick. Ear infections are common in dogs like the Kanni with floppy ears.

Ticks and Fleas:

It is essential to control fleas on your dog from word go. Fleas thrive in warm temperature and humidity and your pet will scratch, bite and lick at the spot. When you brush your pet, look through his fur for fleas and tell you vet about it if you discover ticks and fleas. A topical ointment could nip the problem in the bud. You may want to consider a flea collar for your pet.

Worms:

Tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms for instance are commonly found in dogs, and even for healthy dogs, deworming tablets should be given from time to time. If your dog has worms, you’ll notice lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. It may be time to get your pet to the vet.

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.

Hip Dysplasia:

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.

Most Common Health Problems:

The Boykin Spaniel’s most common health problems apart from hip dysplasia are patellar luxation and juvenile cataracts.

Grooming:

The Kanni is a low maintenance dog with his short coat. You can give him a good brush twice a week, check that his nails don't grow too long and also check his ears inside and out. Ticks and fleas are rife in hot weather and you want to give your dog a thorough check for these. You should also be checking your dog's teeth and brushing them 2 or 3 times a week. Dental problems can cause havoc with your dog's health.

Exercise:

As a hunting breed, the Kanni is used to running so his needs for a good amount of exercise are quite high. While they do make good family pets, they hanker after wide open spaces and being busy. If you own one of these dogs, make sure that you exercise him often because otherwise he becomes frustrated and unhappy.

This dog has always been used to village life where he is free to roam wide open spaces. He is much more suited to country life than to city life, and as a pet, you will need to ensure that he receives a good amount of exercise.

Take him for walks, and if he's been socialized and trained, take him to the park and allow him off his leash to run.

Diet:

The dog has always been fed traditional food such as porridge and milk but we know better now that dogs need protein too as well as a diet rich in vitamins and minerals to ensure his health.

You can feed him a top quality commercially manufactured dog food and add in some cooked chicken, rice and vegetables from time to time. It is expensive, but if you can, try and add in some raw meat occasionally as well. Your Kanni dog must always have access to fresh, clean water.

Exercise:

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.

Grooming:

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.

Diet

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.