The Poodle. 181 



places. As a matter of fact, too much attention and 

 care cannot be given the poodle in the respect of 

 tending and keeping his coat free from dirt, but he 

 must not be combed or brushed, and the ringers 

 must be used to separate the ringlets. Do not be 

 afraid of soap and elbow grease, but beware of the 

 first appearance of mange or skin disease. The 

 latter is simply ruin to a poodle, at any rate for a 

 time. Here, as in most other matters, prevention 

 is far easier than cure. 



When the ringlets, where they are allowed to 

 remain, grow to such an inordinate length as to be 

 in the way of the dog, either so far as exercise or 

 sight is concerned, they ought to be nicely tied 

 up all round. Then the coat of the black poodle 

 has to be dressed with some emollient, and nothing 

 is better for this purpose than a mixture composed 

 of a quarter of a pound of vaseline to half a pint 

 of paraffin. This should be put into a suitable 

 receptacle, which is to be placed in a heated oven 

 and kept there until the concoction is thoroughly 

 blended. It may be scented with any perfume 

 fancy suggests, and must then be placed in a jar, 

 kept covered, and applied when cold. 



This dressing, which will darken and brighten the 

 coat of a black dog, is also suitable for brown 

 poodles, as too much washing of the latter, trans- 



