172 Modern Dogs. 



training by the manner in which their movements 

 kept time and cadence with the music which 

 accompanied them. 



When Sadlers Wells was a more fashionable 

 place of amusement than is the case now, at the 

 beginning of this century, much interest was taken 

 in some performing poodles, one of which, dressed 

 as a lady, was carried by two other dogs and 

 seated at a table where a banquet w r as supposed 

 to be spread, of which the " lady dog " and some 

 others partook, their attendant waiters being canines 

 of less aristocratic appearance. This same body 

 of dogs concluded their performance in the part 

 of soldiers, first attacking and then taking a toy 

 fort by storm. This company is said to have 

 consisted of about eighty animals, most of them 

 small poodles, the remainder little spaniels. 



However, all these feats are not one tithe better 

 than may be seen at our shows and exhibitions at 

 the present time. I have seen a poodle turn a 

 double somersault, others turn somersaults either 

 backwards or sideways at the will of their trainers ; 

 they can still " take a hand " both at cards and 

 dominoes, and their tight-rope walking on the hind 

 legs, or on all-fours with a monkey on their backs, 

 and their steeplechases with monkey riders, are 

 certainly ahead of anything in the way of poodle 



