Saint-Usuge Spaniel
Also called Épagneul de Saint-Usuge, St-Usuge Spaniel
From France, from the Bresse region.1
At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium, feathered coat
A compact spaniel whose body coat is fairly flat, with longer feathering on the ears, chest, shoulders and tail. The tail is left at its natural length.1
Personality what they are like
An eager, affectionate spaniel that learns readily and likes to please. In the field it is keen and versatile, and at home it is a warm, loyal companion.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working gundog that enjoys regular, varied outings. It is used on waterfowl and woodcock across different kinds of terrain, and the breed club runs natural aptitude and hunting tests.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Regular brushing, with a little extra attention to the feathering on the ears, chest and tail, keeps the coat in good order.1
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to an active home with access to countryside walks and field work.12
Company who they like around
A people-oriented dog that bonds warmly with its family and responds well to kind, consistent training.1
The story where it all began
Spaniels of this kind are traced back to the 16th century in the Bresse area, but by the Second World War very few remained. From the 1950s Father Robert Billard rebuilt the breed through careful selection, and a breed club followed in 1990. French recognition came in 2003.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed owes its survival largely to one man, the priest Robert Billard, who spent about 33 years rebuilding it.1
- 2
More than 250 dogs were bred during Father Billard's programme, and over 1,200 more have been bred since 1990.1
- 3
Many Saint-Usuge Spaniels carry a small white star on the forehead.1
- 4
The breed is now also found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and the United States.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Société Centrale Canine (SCC)
- Recognised in France on 8 January 2003; the breed club is affiliated to the SCC.1
- FCI
- Not yet recognised by the FCI.1
- Club de l'Épagneul de Saint-Usuge
- French breed club, affiliated to the SCC; national club founded in 1990 according to Wikipedia.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Saint-Usuge Spaniel. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Saint-Usuge Spaniel en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, history, facts (secondary)
- Club de l'Épagneul de Saint-Usuge epagneuldesaintusuge.orgused for breed club, SCC affiliation, hunting aptitude tests
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.