Saint Usuge Spaniel

35-50 lbs
16-21"
France
Epagneul de Saint-Usuge
The Saint Usuge Spaniel is a small French pointing breed. Attractive in appearance, the only color their coat comes in is brown, but they often have white markings. Affectionate and willing to please, this lovely dog fits right into family life. If you use them for hunting, you will find them obedient and passionate about hunting and they can handle a variety of terrain from swamps to thickets. They are best suited to a house with a secure yard to patrol as they need an area to explore and burn off a little of their energy. They are also inquisitive and will follow you around to help you with whatever they can! Ideal companions, they enjoy interacting with children and if socialized from an early age they can get along with most pets, except birds whom they consider to be prey.
purpose Purpose
Hunting, Companion
history Date of Origin
16th Century
ancestry Ancestry
Unknown

Saint Usuge Spaniel Health

Average Size
Male Saint Usuge Spaniel size stats
Height: 16-21 inches Weight: 35-50 lbs
Female Saint Usuge Spaniel size stats
Height: 16-21 inches Weight: 35-50 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
Minor Concerns
  • Ear Infections
  • Skin Allergies
  • Eye Infections
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
  • Bloat
Occasional Tests
  • Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
  • Ear Tests and Myringotomy Tests
  • Coagulation Assay
  • Blood Glucose Tests
  • Full Body Physical Examination especially of the joints
  • Eye and Ear Examination

Saint Usuge Spaniel Breed History

An ancient dog dating back to the 16th Century, the Saint Usuge Spaniel almost become extinct by the end of the Second World War. After the war, a priest arrived at a parish in Saone-et-Loire in the Bresse region of France. A keen hunter himself, he enquired about getting a suitable hunting dog. Locals told him of a breed known as the Epagneul de Saint Usuge. Father Billard discovered the last reference to this dog was from a dog show in 1936 at a nearby town. He immediately set about locating the breed standard from the show and visited hunters in nearby parishes to try and locate one of this unique breed. Finally, he found a female dog name Poupette who fitted the description. After much searching, he found male dogs suitable to reconstruct the breed. A small Munsterlander female was also found in 1962 to add to the gene pool. She most closely resembled the Saint Usuge Spaniel. In 1980 the work of reconstructing the breed was handed to Serge Bey, a conservationist, which ended Father Billard's breeding program that had produced over 250 dogs over a 33 year period. In 1990, the national breed club known as the Club de l'Epagneul de Saint Usuge was set up. While the breed is not fully recognized by the American Kennel Club, it is recognized as a breed that is within the club's recovery program. Let us hope the scope of this elegant and charming dog expands as more people realize the value of this delightful canine.

Saint Usuge Spaniel Breed Appearance

The Saint Usuge Spaniel has that typical spaniel appearance with their long fringed ears and dainty well-defined face. Their muzzle is pointed, with teeth that meet in a scissor bite. Deep round eyes are of a light to deep brown color, and they have a friendly expression and kind demeanor. The body is well muscled with a deep chest for endurance. The Saint Usage Spaniel has a well formed body structure and long straight legs. Well padded paws allow traction on rough terrain. The only color available is the dark rich brown, but this attractive dog often has white markings including a white star shape on their head. Fringing covers the tail (which is long and curved in shape), shoulders and chest. Described as classically good looking, the Saint Usuge Spaniel is a dog to be proud of.
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Saint Usuge Spaniel eyes
Brown
amber Saint Usuge Spaniel eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Saint Usuge Spaniel nose
Black
isabella Saint Usuge Spaniel nose
Isabella
Coat Color Possibilities
brown Saint Usuge Spaniel coat
Brown
white Saint Usuge Spaniel coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Saint Usuge Spaniel straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Saint Usuge Spaniel Breed Maintenance

A moderate shedder, the Saint Usuge Spaniel only requires a good thorough brushing once a week. Bathing is on a needs only basis. Be careful to use a mild dog shampoo which will protect the natural oils of their coat, so handy for protection while they are out hunting (or playing). The Saint Usage Spaniel does need a good walk each day, and loves to indulge in family games. While not overly active by any means, they still require enough exercise to tire them out regularly. They are ideal walking or running companions, and never stray too far from their owners. Gentle and tolerant dogs, they interact well with children, love water fun, and bond strongly with their owners. And they are keen to learn, so training is a breeze.
Brushes for Saint Usuge Spaniel
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Saint Usuge Spaniel requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Saint Usuge Spaniel Temperament

The Saint Usage Spaniel is a loyal and affectionate breed. As a hunter, they are as much at home in the swamps as they are in the thickets. Loyal and obedient, the Saint Usuge Spaniel never strays far from their owner and remains obedient regardless of temptations to follow a strong scent. They make great family dogs as they are mellow in nature, kind, and patient with youngsters. As a companion dog, they make ideal running or hiking buddies. At home, they are not adverse to a snuggle cuddle or keeping you company. Yet, they can be goofy and fun when indulging in water play or chasing the children around the yard. Easy to train, they have a desire to please which makes them adaptable to learning. While they are ideally suited to the country lifestyle, they can live in a house or even an apartment as long as they get a daily walk and have an area to prowl. Socialized well when young, they get on well with other animals except for birds, which they consider prey.

Saint Usuge Spaniel Activity Requirements

The Saint Usage Spaniel is a dog with moderate needs to exercise. When out hunting they are tireless at their work, but at home, they are calm and gentle dogs who are very affectionate. If they are a companion dog, they will require a daily walk to keep their fitness levels up. They make a great trekking companion, eager to explore the sights and smells of any trail. Training is uncomplicated and a pleasure with this dog. They are natural pleasers which makes training easy. They respond best to kindness and praise, and if you add in a treat, well, that is even better. A home with a secure yard is great for your Saint Usuge Spaniel as they like to wander around and check the perimeter every now and again.
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
11 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Saint Usuge Spaniel Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Saint Usuge Spaniel Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Saint Usuge Spaniel size stats at six months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 16.0 lbs
Female Saint Usuge Spaniel size stats at six months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 16.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Saint Usuge Spaniel size stats at 12 months
Height: 15.5 inches Weight: 26.0 lbs
Female Saint Usuge Spaniel size stats at 12 months
Height: 15.5 inches Weight: 26.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Saint Usuge Spaniel size stats at 18 months
Height: 19.5 inches Weight: 42.5 lbs
Female Saint Usuge Spaniel size stats at 18 months
Height: 19.5 inches Weight: 42.5 lbs

Saint Usuge Spaniel Owner Experiences

Wendy,
12 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
One of the Best dogs I have ever owned, Extremely loyal and devoted to our family, protector of our 3 kids. We are currently loosing this heaven sent Dog to lymphoma, it's attacked her very rapidly and too late for any treatment. Wendy came to us at only 5 weeks old, and waa trained out of the box. Lol. She was a very fast learner and quite unless a squirrel or cat tried to invade her yard. She loves to walk. Even now in her last days, she hides from us, but when we wiggle that leash she comes a running wagging her tail. Over the past 3 weeks we have had a bucket list for her. Foods she loves, (grilled steak) to parks and beaches, campouts and friends at the fire pit. You definitely get an old sole with a saint usage. For the first 6 years we didn't know her breed. There's no agreement Wendy is a Saint Usage, and a SAINT.... love ya girl....
4 years, 6 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
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