CLASSIFICATION OP DOGS. 75 



head and tail. There must he nowhere any hlack patches, 

 and as few " flecks " or " freckles " as possible. Liver 

 may be substituted for black, but is not so popular a 

 marking. The spots should also be so close that there 

 will not seem to be patches of white. 



The Poodle. — On the Continent of Europe the poodlo 

 is used in fowling, both on land and water, an occupation 

 for which liis high intelligence and resisting coat ad- 

 mirably adapt him. In Britain and America he occupies 

 the role of ladies' companion and house-dog chiefly. Of 

 all dogs he excels in learning tricks, and his general intel- 

 ligence is very high, as might be suspected from his large, 

 well-chiseled skull, and the significant expression of his 

 eyes (p. 300). 



Coat and color count 50 per cent, of the total number 

 of marks. 



Head. — Skull broad and large generally ; head carried 

 high. 



Muzzle. — Long and not snipy ; somewhat shorter and 

 thicker in the German breed ; in the French dog, nose is a 

 clear pink, and in the black breed jet black ; roof of 

 mouth also black. 



Eyes. — Dark hazel, clear, and should look direct into 

 the face of the one addressing the dog. 



Ears. — Long, and thickly covered with long, silky 

 hair. 



Chest. — Broad and fairly deep. 



Tail. — Usually docked, carried jauntily at an angle of 

 about forty-five degrees. 



Coat. — In the Eussian, wiry, like horse-hair; in the 

 French, like wool ; in the corded, made up of long ring- 



