Kim

• Name	Kim   [1, 2]
  Gender	Female
  HIST	As for Boykin spaniels, she's the 'best in the business' RANDY BURNS / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM Kim Parkman, owner of Pocotaligo Kennel in Lee County, is training Swift, a Boykin spaniel puppy, on her 75-acre property on Lake Ashwood Road. Parkman is recognized nationally for training Boykin spaniels. For more information WHAT: Pocotaligo Kennel LLC WHO: Kim Parkman, owner WHERE: 444 Lake Ashwood Road, Sumter, SC 29153 PHONE: (803)428-6430 ONLINE: www.pocotaligokennel.com BY RANDY BURNS Special to The Item Lee County resident Kim Parkman, owner and operator of Pocotaligo Kennel LLC on Lake Ashwood Road, is recognized as one of the premier trainers and handlers of Boykin spaniels in the nation. A native of Clarendon County and a 1977 graduate of Manning Christian Academy, Parkman has always been a lover of dogs and the outdoors. She became interested in gun dogs after buying a Labrador in 1979. It would be her future husband who would introduce her to Boykin spaniels. "I fell in love with the Boykin breed from that moment," she said. "Jule (her husband) got over it. I never did." Parkman has trained or bred 25 Boykin Spaniel Society National Champions including Coffee, who captured Open titles in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1992. "I acquired Coffee, my first Boykin, in 1984, and training became more of a passion than a hobby," Parkman said. "I began competing in field trial and hunt test, obtained a modest degree of success, and devoured everything I could find related to retrievers. I read books, watched videos, attended seminars and trained with professionals." She established Pocotaligo Kennel in 1986 in Sumter County. Parkman and the business moved with her husband to Lee County in 1999. All the while, owners of hunting dogs have come to Parkman for a variety of services including training, handling and breeding Boykin spaniels. Mac McClary, an owner and breeder of Boykin spaniels himself, said Parkman has established herself as the "best in the business." "It is well known that Kim Parkman is the best when it comes to training Boykin spaniels," McClary said. "She is as good as you're going to find. Her dogs compete at the national level and do really well." While Boykin spaniels are Parkman's specialty, she has trained most retriever and spaniel breeds for the field and has obedience trained a wide variety of breeds including Yorkies and Rottweilers. Parkman has even participated in conformation events, where the focus is on style and beauty. Most of Parkman's customers are hunters who want their dogs trained for dove and/or duck hunting. "I always talk with potential clients about their training goals" she said. "I try to make sure the owner's expectations are realistic." In recent years, Parkman's business has benefited from the expanded opportunities for Boykin spaniels. The breed is now eligible to participate in AKC (American Kennel Club) spaniel, retriever and conformation events. Parkman and her customers often turn to the thrill of competition. "I love to compete," Parkman said. "I'm not going to deny it. Second place is the first loser. Competition makes us all better. It brings out the best in you, and it will bring out the worst, too." Parkman is loyal to her roots in Clarendon County. While headquartered in Lee County for more than a dozen years, she has no plans to change the name of her business. Pocotaligo is named after a town in the South Carolina Low Country and a swamp in Clarendon County. "I was raised in Manning and still have family and a lot of friends there. Many of my customers have come from Santee Cooper country." After 27 years in the business, Parkman has no plans to step down anytime soon. "Pocotaligo Kennel is open for business," she said. "I just love dogs and will work with any non-aggressive breed." Still, Parkman acknowledges a special "place in her heart" for Boykins. Parkman is active in the Boykin Spaniel Society, serving on the organization's Education Committee. "The Boykin is my favorite breed," she said. "What can I say? I am a Carolina girl. The Boykin spaniel is the state dog." Posted in Local news, News on Saturday, August 24, 2013  [2]
  Occupation	owner and operator of Pocotaligo Kennel LLC on Lake Ashwood Road, Lee County, South Carolina  [2]
  _UID	85A9CDEFFABD4D4A8480634B62A640B1E317
  Person ID	I214976	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	26 Aug 2013

  
  

  Family	Jule PARKMAN
  _UID	02085C888D764D23A537DC25A65DB84F486B
  _UID	02085C888D764D23A537DC25A65DB84F486B
  Family ID	F145621	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	23 Mar 2026

  
  

• Sources

  [S9666] Dorothy H. Parkman. [S19871] As for Boykin spaniels, she’s the ‘best in the business’ - Lee County woman known nationally for training dogs.