THE MALTESE DOG AND THE POODLE. 



79 



Blenheim and King Charles Spaniels derive their origin from the 

 Cocker. 



While hunting, the Spaniel sweeps its feathery tail rapidly from side 

 to side, and is a very pretty object to any one who has an eye for baauty 

 of movement. It is a rule that, 

 however spirited a Spaniel may be, 

 it must not raise its tail above the 

 level of its back. 



A very celebrated but extremely 

 rare " toy " Dog is the Maltese 

 Dog, the prettiest and most lov- 

 able of all the little pet Dogs. 



The hair of this tiny creature is 

 very long, extremely silky, and al- 

 most unique in its glossy sheen, so 

 beautifully fine as to resemble spun 

 glass. In proportion to the size of S 

 the animal, the fur is so long that 

 when it is in rapid movement the 

 real shape is altogether lost in the 

 streaming mass of flossy hair. One 

 of these animals, which barely ex- 

 ceeded three pounds in weight, meas- 

 ured no less than fifteen inches in 

 leno^th of hair across the shoulders. 



The Pomeranian Dog {Canh famili- 

 aris). 



The tail of the Maltese Dog curls strongly over the back, and adds its 

 wreath of silken fur to the already superfluous torrent of glistening 

 tresses. 



As the name implies, it was originally brought from Malta. It is a 

 very scarce animal, and at onetime was thought to be extinct; but 

 there are still sp?cimens to be obtained by those who have no ob- 

 jection to pay the price which is demanded for these pretty little crea- 

 tures. 



Of all the domesticated Dogs the Poodle seems to be, take him all 

 in all, the most obedient and the most intellectual. Accomplishments 

 the most difiicult are mastered by this clever animal, which displays an 

 ease and intelligence in its performances that appear to be far beyond 

 the ordinary canine capabilities. 



A barbarous custom is prevalent of removing the greater portion of 

 the Poodle's coat, leaving him but a rufl* round the neck and legs, 

 and a puff* on the tip of the tail, as the sole relic of his abundant fur. 



Such a deprivation is directly in opposition to the natural state of 

 the Dog, which is furnished with a peculiarly luxuriant fur, hanging 

 in long ringlets from every portion of the head, body, and limbs. The 



