Boykin Spaniel Society

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 119 co-sponsors

The bill formally recognizes the Boykin Spaniel Society for preserving and promoting the breed, including responsible breeding, health initiatives, and the breed’s status as South

Introduced and adopted

Overview

Type: House Resolution (H 5673) of the 2025-2026 South Carolina General Assembly

Purpose: Recognize and honor the Boykin Spaniel Society of Kershaw County for its dedication to preserving and promoting the Boykin Spaniel breed through responsible breeding, health initiatives, and community building; acknowledge nearly five decades of service to South Carolina’s state dog.

Status: Introduced and adopted on 2026-05-07

Primary sponsor: House members from across numerous districts (multiple co-sponsors listed)

Main Purpose and Intent

Officially recognize the Boykin Spaniel Society for its role in preserving the Boykin Spaniel breed.

Celebrate the society’s long-standing service (since 1977) to the state’s cultural and natural heritage, including its designation of the Boykin Spaniel as South Carolina’s official state dog in 1985.

Highlight the society’s efforts to promote responsible breeding, health initiatives, and community engagement related to the breed.

Key Provisions and Provisionsat Changes

Formal recognition: The resolution acknowledges the Boykin Spaniel Society of Kershaw County for its dedication to:

Preserving and promoting the Boykin Spaniel breed
Encouraging responsible breeding practices
Supporting health initiatives within the breed
Building and supporting community among Boykin Spaniel enthusiasts

Breed registry and ethics: Reiterates the society’s objectives to:

Maintain the Boykin Spaniel Registry as the principal registry for purebred Boykin Spaniels
Uphold breed standards and ethical guidelines among members and breeders
Provide information resources about the breed’s attributes

State dog heritage: References the breed’s designation as South Carolina’s official state dog and its historical origins as a hunting dog developed in the state.

Who/What Would Be Affected

The Boykin Spaniel Society (and its members, breeders, and registrants) as the principal beneficiary of formal recognition.

Public awareness: By recognizing the society, the bill elevates public understanding of the breed’s heritage and the society’s conservation and ethics efforts.

No new regulatory or funding provisions are included in the text of the resolution; it is primarily ceremonial and commemorative.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and adoption: The resolution was introduced and adopted on May 7, 2026.

National/state significance: The text notes the society’s founding in 1977 and the state dog designation in 1985, framing the milestone in 2027 as the 50-year mark for the organization’s existence.

Presentation: The resolution directs that a copy be presented to the Boykin Spaniel Society.

Additional Context

The bill’s language emphasizes the breed’s hunting instincts, temperament, and status as both a working and companion dog.

The resolution reflects bipartisan or broad legislative support, evidenced by a long list of co-sponsors across numerous districts. It does not authorize spending or policy changes beyond formal recognition.

If you’d like, I can extract a concise one-page briefing or prepare a lay summary for constituents highlighting the ceremonial significance and the key dates (1977 founding, 1985 state dog designation, 2027 50-year milestone).