POODLE 



whilst the tail, which is very bushy, is carried over the back 

 in a curl. The outer coat, excepting on the head and face, 

 is very long, flat, and profuse, especially on the neck and at 

 the back of the thighs, the under one being soft and thick. 

 The best colours are black, sable, brown, blue, or white ; 

 parti-colours, although allowed, not being liked. Weights 

 vary from 6 lbs. to 14 lbs. (See Cobbyy Frill.) 



Poodle. — Owing possibly to the practice which prevails 

 of clipping the poodle's coat in the region of the loins and 

 hind-quarters, the breed is not infrequently the subject of 

 ridicule amongst people who do not appreciate his won- 

 derful intelligence and adaptability for useful purposes. 

 Such persons may be surprised to learn that he is capable 

 of being broken to the gun, and when this is so, that he is 

 a capital field-dog ; whilst it may be added that he unques- 

 tionably is a past ancestor of the Irish water spaniel and 

 the curly-coated retriever. For a great many years the 

 poodle has been a most valued variety on the Continent, 

 especially in Russia, France, and Germany, and as his 

 merits have become more widely recognised in England 

 his popularity has increased, but as really first-rate speci- 

 mens are most difBcult to procure, the breed is not in 

 many hands. This is particularly the case in connection 

 with the corded variety, whose coat consists of a series 

 of long rope-like tresses, which sometimes are of such 

 length as to trail upon the ground from the body, and 

 almost from the ears as well. The curly-coated variety, 

 however, is more easy to obtain, and of late recognition 

 to some extent has been bestowed upon a fluffy sort of 

 coat, which, however, is neither typical of the poodle nor 

 attractive in appearance. 



The head of this dog is long and beautifully chiselled, 

 having no approach to coarseness. There is a peak at the 

 back, and the head tapers gradually towards the nose ; the 

 muzzle being strong, but not coarse or clumsy. The eyes 

 are dark brown in colour, and of medium size ; the ears 



151 



