Dog breeds / Medium breeds

What a Boykin Spaniel really costs

The Boykin is a compact, easy-keeping spaniel that costs less to feed than a retriever, but OFA's data shows one in four hips evaluated were dysplastic, so joint testing on the parents is worth paying for. The rescue fee is unusually firm at $375 to $450.

Size: Medium, 25–40 lb
Life expectancy: 10–15 years
Grooming: Moderate
Insurance risk: Average
Puppy price: $1,200–$2,500
Food a day: About 900 calories

Where the money goes each year

A typical adult year for a Boykin Spaniel with mainstream food, a groomer, no insurance, in an average-cost area. That's $240 less than the median breed.

Illness and injury (average)$650
Food$464
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$443
Checkups, vaccines and tests$330
Dental cleanings$283
Grooming$239
Toys, beds and everyday supplies$230
Treats and chews$93
License$20
Typical year$2,750

Most years land between $2,000 (budget food, home grooming, lower-cost area) and $3,850 (premium food, groomer, insurance, big city). Dogs over about 7 add about $180 a year for senior checkups.

The first year

Buying a puppy front-loads the bill: the price, gear, puppy shots and spay or neuter.

Bringing a puppy home

Breeder price$1,850
Crate, bed, leash, bowls and gear$550
Spay or neuter$490
Microchip$50
Puppy or basic obedience class$149
Upfront$3,090

Running costs in year one

Food$464
Treats and chews$93
Puppy vaccines and checkups$738
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$443
Grooming$239
License$20
Illness and injury (average)$650
Year-one running costs$2,650

First-year total: $5,740. Adopting instead brings it to about $3,350.

Health costs to plan for

Boykins have one of the higher OFA hip dysplasia rates of any spaniel (25.3%) plus a notable IVDD DNA risk, offset by small size and low elbow rates, so we rate them average for a medium dog; no breed-specific claim data was found.

Condition	How it affects Boykin Spaniels	Typical treatment	Cost
Hip dysplasia	Hip dysplasia is common for a spaniel this size: OFA graded 25.3% of 6,922 Boykin hip X-rays dysplastic. Source	FHO or other non-replacement hip surgery, per hip	$1,500–$3,000
Intervertebral disc disease	In OFA's CDDY/IVDD DNA results, 18.2% of 137 Boykins tested had two copies of the disc-risk variant and 24.8% had one. Source	Spinal surgery for disc herniation; advanced imaging adds $1,000-$3,000	$1,500–$4,000
Juvenile cataracts	AKC lists juvenile cataracts among the conditions Boykin breeders screen for; OFA found abnormal eye findings in 6.9% of 4,433 exams. Source	Cataract surgery with lens implant, per eye	$1,500–$5,000

The yearly estimate already includes an average allowance of $650 for illness and injury. A single surgery can cost several times that, which is the case for an emergency fund or insurance.

What drives the cost of a Boykin Spaniel

Ask breeders for OFA hips on both parents; with 25% of evaluated Boykins dysplastic, untested litters are a real financial gamble.
AKC says the wavy coat needs only weekly brushing; most owners pay for an occasional trim of the ears, feet and feathering rather than a full groom.
Boykins were bred as boat-sized turkey and duck dogs; hunting owners budget for retrieving training and hunt-test entries.
Food for a 25-40 lb dog runs about $45 to $65 a month per Lemonade.
Ear infections are a common recurring cost; AKC recommends regular ear checks and cleaning.

Breeder or rescue

Reputable breeder: $1,200–$2,500
Rescue or shelter: $375–$450
Lifetime, from a breeder: $39,600
Lifetime, adopted: $37,200

iHeartDogs reports $1,200-$2,500 by region, cheapest in the South where the breed is most common; Lemonade gives $800-$2,500. Boykin Spaniel Rescue charges $450 for puppies, $400 for dogs 1-7 and $375 for seniors (as of July 2026), plus a $25 application fee.

Adopting vs buying: the full cost comparison

Similar-size breeds by yearly cost

American Eskimo Dog$2,660 a year
Cardigan Welsh Corgi$2,700 a year
American Pit Bull Terrier$2,710 a year
Australian Cattle Dog$2,730 a year
Miniature American Shepherd$2,790 a year
Pembroke Welsh Corgi$2,880 a year
Compare all breeds

Common questions

How much does a Boykin Spaniel puppy cost?

A Boykin Spaniel puppy from a reputable US breeder typically costs $1,200–$2,500. Adopting one through a rescue usually costs $375–$450.

How much does a Boykin Spaniel cost per year?

After the first year, a Boykin Spaniel costs about $2,750 a year, or $229 a month, for food, vet care, preventives, grooming, supplies and average illness costs. Depending on food, grooming, insurance and where you live, a typical year ranges from about $2,000 to $3,850.

How much does a Boykin Spaniel cost over its lifetime?

About $39,600 over a 13-year life when bought from a breeder, or $37,200 if adopted, in 2026 dollars.

Sources

Prices are averages from the sources above and the cost baselines on our methodology page, in 2026 US dollars. Your vet, groomer and city will differ. Updated October 14, 2026.