The Poodle. 



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accepted by the general public as small poodles, which, I believe, for the 

 most part, to be a cross of small poodle and Maltese terrier. These run 

 from 41b. up to 81b., or even lOlb., and are much prized by ladies. I 

 wish a breed of these small white curly-coated pets could be established 

 for the sake of the judges at our shows, where these pets often turn up, 

 and under circumstances which would render it more agreeable to give a 

 prize than to pronounce the inevitable fiat which condemns them to the 

 abyss of mongrelism. They are certainly both prettier and more 

 amusing as pets than those shivering, semi-nude wretches, yclept smooth- 

 haired toy terriers. 



I should describe the poodle, when in his natural state, as a well-built 

 and fairly-proportioned dog a medium between the lightness of the 

 whippet and the heaviness of the bulldog. The length and density of his 

 coat make him look heavier and less active than he really is. In height 

 he may vary from, say, 14in. to 19in. or 20in. 



The head should be large, the skull well domed, with considerable 

 width between the ears. 



The muzzle should be rather short and truncated ; when shaved and a 

 moustache left it has a pointed appearance, but it is really not so, or 

 should not be so. 



The forehead should be high and prominent. 



The eyes should be small, dark, bright, and intelligent to a high 

 degree. They should light up the face, which, as the dog seems to study 

 his master, wears a peculiar expression of combined gravity and drollery. 



The nose should be expanded, that is, the nostrils wide, and black in 

 colour. 



The ears should be long, and covered with the fine ringlets described 

 above ; they should be set on low and lie close. 



The neck should be rather short than long, the thick clothing shorten- 

 ing its appearance. 



Chest must be pretty deep and not very wide, or the dog will be slow 

 and clumsy ; the back straight, with loin strong. 



The fore legs must be straight, the hind legs fairly bent and stifle 

 hock well let down ; the feet large tor the size of the dog, and rather 

 spreading, although not flat or weak. 



The tail is usually docked, when left on it is of moderate length, carried 

 well up at an angle of about 45deg., and well covered with hair in ringlets. 



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