I had to put my 9 yr. old Lab down in the summer of 2012.
I searched and searched for a breed of dog with the
good nature and enthusiasm we found in "Bentley."
I wanted a smaller hunting dog due my arthritis , but couldn't settle on one breed. Then we stumbled on a couple that owned a Boykin Spaniel. We were taken in by the energy enthusiasm and loyalty it showed. Our next step was to find a breeder. I contacted a few, then found "The Lost Branch Kennel." We contacted Grady by phone and were sold by his love of the breed and honesty. We decided to purchase a male from a summer litter.
I then drove to Arkansas to pick up "Guage." I found him to be all Boykin, good looking,enthusiastic and ready to find a home.
I had a trainer start working with Guage at 3 months. He usually doesn't take dogs that early, but couldn't believe the natural retrieving and field work Guage would complete. He quartered in close right from the get go.
This fall will be Gauges and my first hunting season together and I can't wait to see my little brown dog do his thing.
I can't say enough about Grady Baker and his kennel. He has really worked to keep the Boykins hunting.

I could not be happier with the boykin I got from Mr. Baker. I was very scared and unsure of what I was getting into but when I got to Mr. Grady's house and met him that all changed. He showed me Roux's mother and father and explained everything I wanted to know and much more. They are great people and very interested in where their puppies are going and the people that are taking them.
I live in apartments because I go to college and I was afraid of getting a dog and having to house train it, but I had roux trained within the first three weeks I had him. If anyone is afraid of getting one of these dogs because of house training fear no more. Roux has chewed a few things but has never caused major damage other than to my socks and his toys.
I am from south Louisiana my dog's name is Roux. There are not many people down here that have ever heard of boykins but when they see what my dog can do at such a young age they become interested very quickly. Since the day I got him I could not believe how smart of a breed of dog they were. I began training him the second week I had him with simple commands and by the time he was 3 1/2 months old we were working on hand signals and I took him dove hunting for the first time. Roux is now 5 months old and he knows I mean business when I grab the gun and start blowing those duck calls. It is obviously bred into these dogs to be all around bird hunters he has definitely reenforced the saying, "Mans best friend". I cannot complain at all about Roux or the Bakers, both have made my life better in so many ways.
Thank you soooo much Mr. Grady for being there during and after the sale!!!! I could not be happier and I hope more boykins begin to populate south Louisiana!

Grady Baker rasies great dogs! We purchased our pupply from Mr. Baker in December of 2011 and she quickly became a member of our family. She is super smart, very active, extremely loyal and loving. She absoultely loves the water and retreiving. This dog is full of personality. She is on the smaller side of the breed which is what we were looking for and her conformation well exceeds breed standards; a beautiful little brown dog!

Mr. Baker loves his dogs and it shows. If you have a chance to buy a puppy from him, you will not be sorry!

We recently purchased a Boykin from Mr. Baker for our children for Christmas. We are so pleased with her! Mr. Baker was wonderful and easy to work with. We highly recommend this kennel!!

Our Boykin from Lost Branch is almost 1 1/2 years old. This is her 1st year of duck hunting. She takes to the ducks like the ducks take to the water! She is beautiful, healthy, intelligent and comical. I wouldn't want to buy from any other breeder. Grady knows what it takes to make the ideal Boykin.

We have had the good fortune to have had some of the dearest friends and hunting partners one could ask for over the many years. My father met Mr. Grady many years ago when the 1st Boykin came into our lives. My family, our kids and friends love the little Brown guys/gals all from Lost Branch. Our latest is now 1.3 years old Charlie. He is FANTASTIC at hunting and being a cuddle bunch! Tank, Charlie's Uncle is a bit slower do to the years, but Tank has taught Charlie well, take it slow and "Wind" the pheasants or grouse and sneak up on them!!! I can't say enough about Mr. Grady and his breed of Boykins, except it is worth the drive. We drive 18 hours each way excitement of the new family member and the way home to have the little guy curled in your lap going home. Mr. Grady Charlie is quite the card!

I was given my boykin at 4 months, when her purchaser could not keep her as a puppy. For our family it has been love at first sight, or retrieve. She is the best, loyal, pet and hunting machine I have ever had the pleasure of watching and training. She is a natural, since I am new to this, and has beaten every lab, and other boykin, to the bird when given the opportunity. I have never met Grady in person, but after getting hooked by our lbd, I have done extensive research into her breeding and other kennels. I had no idea what I had until calling the Boykin Spaniel Society. Remington will be 2 in Oct. 2011 and we are planning on breeding her to one of the top titled hunting lines in the country. Grady has been more than helpful in hunt training tips for her personality, and in choosing the best pedigree to match her with. She is waiting for her ofa clearance after passing her eye and heart clearances. Looking forward to more lbd's and a puppy for Grady. I highly recommend his line.

I was given my boykin at 4 months, when her purchaser could not keep her as a puppy. For our family it has been love at first sight, or retrieve. She is the best, loyal, pet and hunting machine I have ever had the pleasure of watching and training. She is a natural, since I am new to this, and has beaten every lab, and other boykin, to the bird when given the opportunity. I have never met Grady in person, but after getting hooked by our lbd, I have done extensive research into her breeding and other kennels. I had no idea what I had until calling the Boykin Spaniel Society. Remington will be 2 in Oct. 2011 and we are planning on breeding her to one of the top titled hunting lines in the country. Grady has been more than helpful in hunt training tips for her personality, and in choosing the best pedigree to match her with. She is waiting for her ofa clearance after passing her eye and heart clearances. Looking forward to more lbd's and a puppy for Grady. I highly recommend his line.

Grady's Boykin Spaniels are simply hunting machines. I got my first one from Grady in 1995 and drove 14 hours to pick the "runt" of the liter. Not only was she a great duck dog, she also was an excellent pheasant hunter, and knew before my son with special needs was about to have a seizure! Simply the best dog to come out of "Chocolate Pudding". Thanks for 8 wonderful years "Tia". After her passing I got another Boykin from Grady 6 years ago and this dog will "flat out" out pheasant hunt any other dog I've ever hunted behind. In the past four years she has found ever bird that has went down. Not only are these dogs tenacious,natural hunters they are a joy to have in the house as a family pet/hunting dog. I house trained "Tatum" in 3 days and she's never made a mistake since then. Thanks Grady for giving me two of the best dogs I've ever owned and I hope I don't see you for another 10 years to get my 3rd Boykin. Sincerely, Ty Geerdes

I bought my first ever boykin from the Baker's in December of 2009. I drove 10 hours to the kennel because I wanted to meet the dam and sire of my new pup. I couldn't have been more impressed and I couldn't be happier with my female boykin. I am convinced that the Baker's have the best bloodline available. Her instincts, drive and temperment are incredible, and she meets the breed standards perfectly. I have met other Boykins and they pale in comparison to Grady's dogs. Blinds, Hand Signals, Sitting to whistle while crashing through water at full speed, all came naturally, never had to teach force fetch. Grady suggested a soft method of training that uses positive reinforcement, and it worked perfect. Simply awesome. By the way, Ive never trained a dog before, and I have a full time job, so anyone can have a dog like this, if they have a tiny bit of patience and desire to have a great companion. If you want a dog that wants nothing more than to be with you and retrieve when it is time to work/play, then get a Boykin from the Bakers.

Clay and I never thought we would have a dog. Literally, we were the couple that rolled our eyes when dog parents went goo-goo over their "child". Now, we are surprisingly and happily "those people" too! Martha came into our lives after careful thought and deliberation March 25th and has been a joy ever since. She is playful and smart and loves us as much as we love her. I highly recommend the breed as well as Grady and Lori. Their love for animals is quite evident and we have never been happier. She starts puppy kindergarten this week and we are so looking forward to challenging her mentally and learning how to better communicate with her. You can't go wrong with a boykin!

My wife Lori and I flew from Northern California to pick up a puppy from Grady last July. Six months earlier we had lost our first boykin "Reba" to cancer at age 13. We contemplated going to a different breed but after living with "Reba" and knowing what great hunters and lovers Boykin’s make I started my search for the perfect "Reba" replacement. That's when we found "Lost Branch Boykin’s". After long talks with Grady, pedigree checks, and with a strong backing from the Boykin Society, Grady is where we settled. We couldn't have made a better choice. Lost Branch Boykins isn't a puppy mill! He knows the breed and more importantly he knows how to breed to get the results that produce what a true Boykin was meant to be. Our puppy "Hank" is now almost 11 months and words can't describe our happiness with "Hank". Some that come close are INTELLEGENT, LOVER, TIRELESS, HANDSOME, and DIEHARD. I have been amazed at the natural instinct that "Hank" has shown at such an early age. At 4 months he didn't think twice faced with retrieving rocks from underneath the water at Lake Havasu, working with his front paws for up to 10 seconds at a time with his entire head submerged. At 6 months "Hank" had to encourage me to throw doubles which he had no problem mastering, then I tried blind retrieves which he also had no hesitation performing, not to mention taking hand signals like they were second nature.
"Hank" never gives up and will look until he finds it, and he always is ready for just one more retrieve. I would recommend Lost Branch Boykins to anyone looking for a solid retriever and anyone looking for the best representation of the Boykin standard. Thanks Grady you have helped bring fulfillment to our lives.

I just bought my 2nd Boykin from Grady. My first one was 20 years ago. Grady was great to work with and produces great dogs. This one is fabulous! She has so much natural instinct - loves to retreive, is very obedient, and an absolute delight to own. I have owned other Boykins from other breeders and none have been as good as the two I got from Grady. I would give him a 10 rating if I could!

I would like to say that if you are just thinking about buying a Boykin Spaniel then there a few things you need to know. I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and have a boykin that will be 2 years old this February 9th. I have personally trained her to duck hunt and this was her first hunting season. The guys at the camp made fun of her small size (33 lbs.) but when they saw the ducks she retrieved they were not laughing anymore. She was the most obediant dog at the camp. Learned hands signals with a 20 degree accuracy! Here is my point... This breed requires an excessive amount of exercise for them to be happy and behaved. I live on an 8 acre lake and she swims on a daily basis. This is breed LOVES to swim and I feel they should have access to water on some type of consistent basis. The dog I purchased from Grady is an absolutely flawless blood line and is the epitome of what a Boykin should look like! Boykins make wonderful pets, but do not get one if you do not have the time to adequately exercise them. They live to retrieve! If you would like to talk further feel free to call me. 225.315.6038

Regards,
Garret