CHAPTER LVIII 



THE POODLE 



YOUATT says of the Poodle that it was originally 

 a water dog, as its long and curly hair, and its 

 propensities in the domesticated state, prove*; but, 

 from its peculiar sagacity, it is capable of being 

 trained to almost any useful purpose, and its strong 

 individual attachment renders it more the com- 

 panion of man than a mere sporting dog. " These 

 dogs," he adds, " have far more courage than the 

 Water Spaniel, all the sagacity of the Newfound- 

 land, more general talent, if the expression may 

 be used, and more individual attachment than either 

 of them, and without the fawning of the one or the 

 submissiveness of the other. The Poodle seems 

 conscious of his worth, and there is often a quiet 

 dignity accompanying his demonstrations of friend- 

 ship." These characteristics of the dog are as con- 

 spicuous to-day as they were fifty or sixty years 

 ago, and a more faithful, intelligent, or charming 

 companion could not be desired by any one. As 

 a household pet he certainly cannot be excelled, yet 

 I imagine we do not see as many about, except at 

 shows, as we did twenty years ago. Possibly the 

 reason may be that the eccentric look of the animal, 



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