THE POODLE. 



129 



more than a mountebank of the booths, 

 trained to walk the tight rope and stand 

 on his head. He is an adept at performing 

 tricks, but it is his alertness of brain that 

 places him apart from other animals. There 

 is the example of the famous Munito, who 

 in 1818 perplexed the Parisians by his clever- 

 ness with playing cards and his intricate 



to the Customs officers. On the Continent 

 Poodles of the larger kind are often used 

 for draught work. 



There can be little doubt that the breed 

 originated in Germany, where it is known 

 as the Pudcl, and classed as the Cams 

 familiaris Aquaticus. In form and coat he 

 would seem to be closely related to the old 



GROUP OF MRS. L. W. CROUCH'S POODLES, 



ORCHARD TOMMY TUCKER, ORCHARD SALLY, CH. L'ENFANT PRODIGUE, 

 CH. ORCHARD ADMIRAL. AND LADY GODIVA. 



Photograph by T. Fall. 



arithmetical calculations. Paris was for- 

 merly the home of most of the learned 

 Poodles, and one remembers the instance of 

 the Poodle of the Pont Neuf, who had the 

 habit of dirtying the boots of the passers-by 

 in order that his master — a shoeblack 

 stationed half-way across the bridge— might 

 enjoy the profit of cleaning them. In Bel- 

 gium Poodles were systematically trained 

 to smuggle valuable lace, which was wound 

 round their shaven bodies and covered 

 with a false skin. These dogs were schooled 

 to a dislike of all men in uniform, and conse- 

 quently on their journey between Mechlin 

 and the coast they always gave a wide berth 



Water-dog, and the resemblance between a 

 brown Poodle and an Irish Water Spaniel 

 is remarkable. The Poodle is no longer 

 regarded as a sporting dog, but at one period 

 lie was trained to retrieve waterfowl, and he 

 still on occasion displays an eager fondness 

 for the water ; but this habit is not en- 

 couraged by owners, who know the labour 

 involved in keeping in order the Poodle's 

 profuse coat. 



Throughout Europe and in the United 

 States — wherever these dogs are kept — it is 

 usual to clip the coat on the face, the legs, 

 and the hinder part of the body, leaving 

 tufts of hair on the thighs and a ring of 



