of the other. The Poodle seems conscious of his worth, and there 

 is often a quiet dignity accompanying his demonstrations of friend- 

 ship." The frequency with which Poodles appear in troupes of 

 performing animals is convincing testimony to their teachableness, 

 an assertion which will be confirmed by anyone who has been on 

 terms of intimacy with one. A Poodle may be taught to do nearly 

 anything, his perspicacity being almost uncanny, yet we cannot say 

 of him that he is widely popular. It may be that the frinction of 

 clipping has its terrors, but, when this operation has once been 

 properly performed, I doubt if his toilet is as troublesome as that 

 of most long coated dogs. An exception must, however, be made 

 in the case of the corded variety, the long ropes of hair dragging 

 the ground and demanding skilled treatment. Such a coat has its 

 obvious disadvantages. It is unhygienic because of the dirt which 

 must inevitably accumulate, and from the feet that the cords at the 

 end are composed of dead hair, which in the natural course of events 

 should be shed. The heavy weight, too, of the cords naturally 

 impedes the action, which should be graceful and full of liberty. 

 The coat of the curly Poodle, which more often than not is now 

 merely fluffed out, presents no obstacles. So far as the shaving is 

 concerned, an inspection of an actual dog or photograph will reveal 

 that it is carried out on a more or less well ordered system. Feet 

 and legs are bare, except for bracelets which are left at the hocks 

 and above the pasterns. A small tuft of hair remains at the end 

 of the stern, the rest being denuded ; the face is also cleared with 



