THE MIDDLE-SIZED DOGS l6l 



America the German, the French, and the 

 barbet. The first named is the largest, and 

 usually solid black or white, though he some- 

 times has a white star on the breast, or a 

 white toe or two. His coat is long, coarse, 

 and almost wiry, with a strong tendency to 

 work itself into strings or " cords," as tech- 

 nically called not bigger than a large twine. 

 These cords should be all over the body ex- 

 cept about the face, and the longer the better. 

 To leave no part of his body untouched, this 

 victim of man's desire to improve upon nat- 

 ure has part of his tail cut off. 



The French poodle differs in some respects 

 from his German brother. He is a little 

 smaller, and his thick and woolly coat tends 

 to curl rather than to cord. The barbet is the 

 dwarf of the family, being not more than 

 eight or ten inches high, covered with snow- 

 white ringlets. He is a bright, active little 

 fellow, fond of fun, and quick to learn tricks. 

 The barbet is said not to be so amiable as 

 could be desired ; in fact, apt to be somewhat 

 snappish. 



All poodles require much care to keep their 

 peculiar coats in order. They cannot be 



