POODLES, FEENCH AND EUSSIAN. 259 



few regular spaniels proper which are, now and then, to be met with on the 

 Continent are of British descent, and, although they are greatly prized by those 

 who own them, they are not placed by the professionals on a par with their native 

 poodles. Now, as a matter of fact, a first-rate poodle, thoroughly experienced in 

 his work, is not easy to beat, and the extraordinary intelligence these dogs display is 

 well-nigh marvellous ; but, nevertheless, those who have seen a good English water 

 spaniel or a not-over-stubborn Irish ditto at work, will bear in mind that better work 

 than theirs is not to witnessed everywhere, and there the matter remains. 



It is, however, chiefly in the retrieving part of his business that the poodle 

 distinguishes himself. He is so patient and so indefatigable, and so sensible in his 

 search for wounded or dead game, that, even in the face of the greatest difficulties, 

 he succeeds. In this he is greatly encouraged by his native master, to whom a bird 

 lost is perhaps the day's bread lost; and the dog seems to understand that all- 

 pressing demand on his talents. One will often hear the huttiers of the northern 

 coasts of the Continent say of their poodles that they won't come back without the 

 dead or wounded birds ; and this is perfectly correct. It is very, very rare indeed 

 that a bird is lost. In this characteristic determination the Irish or the English 

 water spaniel will join issue with the poodle, and, in fact, it seems a distinctive point 

 in all the breeds of water spaniels that, when once they have seen a bird, or heard 

 him, come down, they mean to have him, and will have him too, by hook or by crook ; 

 and those marsh shooters who have seen their dogs repeatedly diving after wounded 

 ducks or widgeons will testify that the performance is a treat. 



The poodle never " sulks " in his retrieving. The fact is, retrieving seems to be 

 to him quite a second nature. Evidently, he inherits it from a very long list of 

 retrieving ancestors ; for, when yet quite a puppy, a poodle will deliberately pick up 

 things and carry them to, or behind, his master. There is, therefore, no need of 

 training him to retrieve. It comes to him as naturally as a duckling takes to water, 

 and he never tires of it. Now, this is of paramount importance for the professional 

 huttier, who kills his birds especially in the night, over his decoy ducks, and who 

 therefore must rely implicitly upon his dog to collect the slain and wounded. This 

 the dog does without being spoken to, and he generally concludes his search in the 

 pool by a walk round the shores, in the reeds, for any stray wounded bird ; and he 

 is not content with walking there, but paddles in the reeds and grass slowly and 

 carefully, and sniffs and listens now and then, for he knows by experience that some 

 of the birds will dive and hold back under water until he has passed. If, therefore, 

 he hears the slightest splash in the water, he remains perfectly still, and watches for 

 any further signs. Of course, all this shows good breaking granted ; but there is 

 thought in it, too, and I verily believe that some sporting poodles have quite as 

 much sense as their masters. 



Eespecting poodles for show purposes, I have often wondered why so few have 

 ever made their appearance on the show benches. If beauty and utility combined 

 are really considered a desideratum in show dogs, then I contend that a good, well- 

 bred, working poodle is a most handsome and most useful animal, well worthy of 

 competing, for instance, with the very ugly specimens of retriever proper which 



