in referring to these pets as " pugs," their resemblance to a tiny 

 poodle being more marked. The chances are that the word 

 " P^^g " is used in the sense of a pet. 



One would not care to say that four centuries later many 

 ladies are not wholly free from a charge of extravagance in their 

 relations with toy dogs, although this is a reproach that cannot be 

 directed against the owners of Poodles, who prefer to treat these 

 intelligent creatures with due regard to their dignity. If in size 

 the miniature Poodle approaches the toys, he still retains the 

 sagacity and sense of his larger brother, who is a sportsman, in 

 spite of the fantastic, not to say grotesque, guise under which he 

 is compelled to masquerade. The curious manner in which Poodles 

 are clipped is to a large extent responsible for the estimate in which 

 they are held by the general public, who are blind to their virtues. 

 In reality, it would be difficult to frnd a more faithful or a wiser 

 companion, or a safer guard than a Poodle. Examine his head and 

 and eye carefully, putting on one side the hair, and you will agree 

 that the expression is indicative of wisdom and friendship. 



Sixty years ago or more Youatt wrote what remains true unto 

 this day : " These dogs have far more courage than the water spaniel, 

 all the sagacity of the Newfoundland, more general talent, if the 

 expression may be used, and more individual attachment than either 

 of them, and without the fawning of the one, or the submissiveness 



