CLASSIFICATION OF DOGS. 75 



head and tail. There must be nowhere any black 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 poodle 

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

 for which his 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- 



