Mayor Roger Gaddy and his wife Nan with Gunnie, left, and Tucker.
WINNSBORO – The little brown, curly-haired dogs that found their way into the hearts of South Carolinians competed this past weekend during a Boykin Spaniel Field Trial in Fairfield County.
Brian Edwards with Bowman | Photos: Martha Ladd
The event was hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Roger Gaddy and organized by the Carolina Boykin Spaniel Retriever Club. Over 110 entries from both the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia gathered on Newberry Road property owned by Fairfield County native Fleming McMaster and Doctors Deborah and Craig Stuck.
The dogs and owners/handlers/trainers competed on land and water in puppy, novice, intermediate and open competition categories. In addition to competing for award ribbons, the participants earned points toward end-of-year awards. Richard Winn Academy’s shooting team assisted with the event as Bird Technicians.
South Carolinian Whit Boykin is credited with perfecting this specialty breed of hunting dog, and in 1985, Governor Richard Riley pushed through legislation to officially name the Boykin the State Dog.
The Boykin Spaniel Society will host the annual Nationals Competition in Camden on March 22-24, and the public is invited. For more information about this upcoming event and dog breed, visit the website www.boykinspaniel.org.
Bird technicians are responsible for simulating a real duck hunt by slinging and hiding duck dummies for the dogs. Pictured from left are Eagle Shooting members B Baker, Jennifer Haney, Samantha Wilkes, Sam Banister and Will Cathcart.
