MyDogBreedsPugnaces Britanniae is originated from United Kingdom but Boykin Spaniel is originated from United States. Pugnaces Britanniae may grow 29 cm / 12 inches higher than Boykin Spaniel. Pugnaces Britanniae may weigh 92 kg / 203 pounds more than Boykin Spaniel. Both Pugnaces Britanniae and Boykin Spaniel has almost same life span. Pugnaces Britanniae may have more litter size than Boykin Spaniel. Pugnaces Britanniae requires Low maintenance. But Boykin Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance
Pugnaces Britanniae is a dog which is now extinct. There isn't certainty surrounding the origins of the dog but it is thought they descended from dogs brought to Britain way back in the 6th century BC already.
These are ancient dogs, and when you do research you find references dating back to centuries ago. In fact when you read of the Roman conquest of Britain you read of huge dogs, which the Romans referred to as Pugnaces Britanniae.
It is believed that the English Mastiff descended from the ancient Alaunt and Pugnaces Britanniae and that the dog was used as a war dog.
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.
The Pugnaces Britanniae was a huge dog standing at roughly 67 to 75cm and weighing 52 to 110kg.
He was a heavily built dog, a Mastiff type dog that had a large head, broad muzzle with fairly loose skin around the mouth, brown eyes, a broad back and rump, muscular legs and floppy ears with a long tail. In fact the Mastiff, thought to have descended from the ancient Alaunt and Pugnaces Britanniae, gives you an idea of what the dog looked like. He no doubt has a short, smooth coat available in fawn, tan or brindle and with the black mask.
The Pugnaces Britannia was a naturally aggressive dog so it is to be expected that he wouldn’t automatically have been a good family dog, possibly being aggressive around children and other dogs. They were intelligent and were no doubt taught some simple commands.
They were also very territorial dogs, wanting to instinctively chase and attack unknown people and animals. They were strong minded, confident, loyal ad loving dogs towards their owners, being protective of them, wanting to please them.
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 Pugnaces Britanniae may well have been a large dog and quite imposing to look at but he was in all likelihood a good-natured pet who got on well with his family members, being loyal and loving if brought up correctly.
Long ago dog training and socialization didn’t exist but a large dog like this would have to be socialized and trained to become obedient and an amicable all-rounder.
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.
The Pugnaces Britanniae could live to 10, 11 or 12 years of age with good care. Large Mastiff type dogs like this would have had to watch out for common canine diseases such as hip dysplasia, cancer and bloat.
In those days, no screening tests were available for health problems like this. Gastric dilatation volvulus or bloat is a common health issue with large, deep chested dogs where the stomach fills with gas and the stomach twists. Its a life threatening disease.
Canine heart disease is another serious health issue with these mastiff type dogs. Early stages with heart disease show there may well be no symptoms at all. However, as the heart disease progresses towards congestive heart failure, the dog will have symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty with breathing, weight loss, a distended abdomen and coughing.
A dog with symptoms like this would have to see a vet immediately.
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.
The diets of ancient dogs were different to what they are today, as in those days there were no commercially manufactured dog foods. Dog owners in all likelihood tossed scraps to them which included starch.
Today a large dog such as the extinct Pugnaces Britannia would have no doubt been fed a high quality kibble from a leading brand and packed with minerals and vitamins specially formulated for a large dog breed.
Homemade food is also important, but not any kind of food – it has to be food which doesn’t upset the dog’s digestive system. Simple but nutritious food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach is ideal for a dog, and when it is chopped up can be added twice a week to the dry kibble for a tasty, healthy treat.
Raw meat added in occasionally is also hugely beneficial. No dog should ever be without fresh, cool water constantly available.
As a short haired dog, the Pugnaces Britanniae would have required a brushing twice a week to rid the dog of loose hairs. Maybe in those days they didn’t check their dogs over to see that all was well, but today you would need to check the inside of the ears. If the insides were red, it could be a sign of an ear infection brought on by dampness, excess wax and dirt.
The eyes would need to be checked for discharge and the teeth checked a well. One rotten tooth can cause a lot of havoc. The nails of the dog would have had to be checked and clipped as well.
As a war dog, the Pugnaces Britanniae would have been fit. He is a big dog and while they require exercise such as walks and hide-and-seek type of games, he isn’t the kind of dog that would go running with you on a jog, as large, heavy dogs can overheat easily.
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.