Nails

All dogs need their nails trimmed on a regular basis. The inside of a dog's toe nail is called the "quick". If trimming is done at least once a month the quick will remain short and the job is easier to perform. When nails are allowed to grow too long the quick will also grow long, resulting in accidental cutting of the quick which is painful to the dog and causes excessive bleeding.

Trimming nails can be done with dog nail clippers or ground with a Dremel tool or Oster Professional Nail Grinder. The nail clippers can quickly trim the bulk of excess nail, but may leave very sharp edges. Dremel tools can grind a nail to have dull edges, but be careful of heat build-up from friction on the nail. Grinding can also take a longer time if the nails are allowed to grow too long.

Trim hair away from the nails and pads with blunt-nosed scissors will help you see what you are trimming. Trimming hair away from pads will also help to keep your dog from sliding on slick surfaces like wood flooring or finished concrete.

Ears

Ears on dogs, especially dogs who spend time in water, can become infected (called Otitis externa) . A healthy ear has normal amounts of yeast and bacteria. A number of problems can cause the balance of nature in the ear to become disrupted, causing the normal amounts to grow to infection levels. Organisms and parasites may also cause infection, sometime too deep or hidden for veterinarians to see without taking a sample to view under a microscope.

If your dog is rubbing it's head excessively on the ground or with a paw, check his ears for discharge or caked on material. If discharge is present or if discomfort continues, take the dog to the vet. Attempting to cure an infection on your own can often make it worse. A veterinarian can diagnose the cause of the problem and issue a prescription to treat it.

Check normal, health ears weekly. Keep hair clipped away from the ear canals so that they can stay clean and dry. Check for ticks or burrs that can attach themselves around the ears and ear leathers. Over the counter cleaners can be used to remove any external dirt with gauze or cotton wipes. Q-tips may be used with caution around the visible areas of the outer ear, taking care not to stick it down the canal by accident. Be extremely careful not to damage the delicate ear canal linings and do not put anything into the ear canal. Damaging the ear canal or ear drum is a serious veterinary emergency as it is very painful and can lead to worsening ear problems.

Teeth

Teeth are often neglected in regular grooming. Once per year cleanings at the vet are not enough to keep your dog's teeth in good health. Ask your vet or groomer to show you how to properly care for teeth and what chew toys or bones can help fight plaque or build up.

The Coat

A Boykin needs to be brushed frequently to prevent mats, remove burrs and remove loose fur. How frequently depends on how much time they are outside, what terrain they run through and if their coat has been clipped down. Occasional bathing and frequent brushing will help reduce fur shedding. Monthly flea, tick and mosquito treatments can be affected by bathing your dog; read the instructions on the treatment box if unsure.

Many people choose to clip their dog's coat for functional or aesthetic reasons. Any groomer can give your dog a "spaniel cut" and many might offer a diagram or picture for you to see what the finished product will look like. Other owners may want the coat to be cut short all over their body by the groomer which will reduce the brushing needed at home between clips. Some people decide to purchase grooming equipment themselves and learn to clip their dog at home from a friend or video seminar. Whatever the decision know that there are no "rules" to clipping your Boykin. If investigating whether to add a new dog to your household you should ask a local groomer how much they will be charging and how often the dog will need to be clipped to stay in the cut you like to help determine your cost of caring for a Boykin Spaniel.

All owners will need to invest in grooming equipment such as brushes to use between clippings. It is best to have a grooming bag on hand with a few essentials such as a soft pin brush, a comb and ball-tipped scissors along with your tools for trimming nails, cleaning ears and cleaning teeth.

Clipping the "whiskers" or vibrissae

Vibrissae or sensory organs (hairs) on the sides of the muzzle often referred to as whiskers. It is a common practice for groomers to clip around the muzzle to "tidy up the face". However, you should be fully aware of the fact that canine whiskers are not just funny looking hairs that ought to be trimmed "to present a neat appearance." While trimming will not incapacitate the dog's overall life, areas of training may be hindered by the lack of vibrissae. You may want to instruct your groomer to leave the muzzle unclipped if you intend to work with your dog in hunt retrieves, tracking, obedience or other areas when he may use his muzzle to locate and retrieve items.