THE SMALL WATER-SPANIEL, OR POODLE 697 



he is very valuable as a retriever in wild-fowl shoot- 

 ing. He watches with minute observation the actions 

 of his master, and whenever a bird is killed, he plunges 

 instantly into the water and fetches it out, and lays it 

 at the foot of his owner. 



This dog is very acute at finding the haunts of wild- 

 fowl, and is easily taught to fetch and carry articles, 

 and also to seek articles which have been lost ; which 

 latter quality obtained for him in former times the 

 appellation of " the finder." 



The native country of this dog is Spain ; but 

 we conceive that the variety we possess, which is a 

 very distinct one, is not the pure breed as originally 

 imported into this country, but that it is the produce 

 of the large water-dog and the English setter, as it 

 appears to be intermediate between these, not only in 

 figure, but also in their united qualities. 



THE SMALL WATER-SPANIEL, OR POODLE. 



The small water-spaniel is supposed to be the 

 offspring of the large water-dog and the cocker : he 

 has all the appearance of the former in shape, and also 

 in the thickly-coloured silky hairs. No dog whatever 

 possesses more activity and buoyancy of spirit than 

 this ; and he is highly susceptible of instruction of 

 almost any kind. He is a most dexterous diver ; and 

 so exquisite in his olfactory sense that he will find at 

 the bottom of a river or pool, a stone which is thrown 

 in by his master, even where there are many other 

 stones. The poodle has been taught to perform many 

 domestic offices, and those, too, with the utmost 

 accuracy, such as to go errands, shut a door, ring a 

 bell, fetch his master or mistress's shoes or gloves, 

 etc. The general colour of this dog is white. He is 



