THE POODLE 541 



often very beautiful ; they seem particularly suited as companions 

 and pets for ladies. They are, however, not quite as saleable as 

 the whites and blacks, as the general public have hardly got used 

 to them yet as true Poodles colours. They are becoming more 

 popular every year, and have greatly improved in quality and type 

 since they were introduced ; but when the classes are for " Poodles, 

 any variety," they have to put their best feet foremost to be placed 

 over good specimens either white or black. 



Any one with a desire to take up these interesting and highly 

 intelligent dogs would be well advised to, at any rate, commence 

 with a black, of course taking care that it is black, and, as be- 

 fore stated, if possible seeing the parents. Any mixture of other 

 tints on any part of the coat will greatly depreciate the value of a 

 specimen from a fancier's point of view. There are even different 

 shades of black itself; the shade most preferred in Poodles is a 

 glossy, bright, intense, bluish-black, without any tendency to rustiness, 

 which is too often seen in some of the coats, and handicap such 

 specimens in the show-ring. 



There is an offshoot of the Poodle that is turned to good account 

 as a truffle hunter. The actual constituents of the little dog that 

 one occasionally meets with in truffle "country" are not known ; but 

 it is fairly safe to say that he partakes largely of Poodle and Terrier. 

 In weight he is little above that of a decent Fox-terrier, and in 

 colour variable. Black-and-white, white with liver markings, with 

 black mouth and lips are the colours most liked. There is little 

 or no tail. In Wilts, Hants, and Dorset these dogs are oftenest 

 found ; but the owners are very chary about parting with them, as 

 they constitute their living. As is well known, from November 

 onwards to Christmas prices for the underground fungi popularly 

 called truffles are very high, and given a truffle country chalky 

 soil and plenty of oak and beech trees and a well-trained dog, 

 success should attend the efforts of the hunter. 



As the dogs are often employed upon estates much game 

 preserved, and early and late, they necessarily have to be carefully 

 broken as well as trained to their legitimate work, while the owner 

 must of course be above suspicion. So far these dogs have not 

 made their appearance at shows ; but they would undoubtedly prove 

 an interesting exhibit, especially too if they could be shown at work. 



To train a dog with a good nose to such work should not be 

 difficult. The first thing, of course, is to get an obedient dog, and 

 next to get him to retrieve small objects. This done, accustom 

 him to the peculiar smell of the fungus, and also to fetch it when 

 thrown. Next, the truffle should be lightly buried where the dog 

 cannot see it, and the animal be told to seek. Gradually the dog 

 will get accustomed to the peculiar scent given off by the truffle, 

 and will find it when buried. The depth at which the fungus should 



