THE POODLE. 165 
often curly, and in all more or less oily, so as to resist the action 
of the water. This oil is tank in smell, and hence they are all 
unfit to be inmates of our houses, which is a strong objection even 
to the poodle as a toy-dog. As, therefore, we have no ground for 
separating the land from the water dogs by this strong line, I 
have not attempted to do so, but have grouped them according 
to the divisions under which they naturally fall. 
The Old English water-spaniel is particularly fond of the water, 
and will enter it in almost all weathers by choice, while it never 
is too cold for him when any game is on it. His powers of swim- 
ming and diving are immense, and he will continue in it for hours 
together, after which he gives his coat a shake and is soon dry. 
Indeed, when he first comes out he does not seem thoroughly wet, 
kis oiled and woolly coat appearing to set at defiance the approach 
of water. His nose is pretty good, and he is capable of an excel- 
lent education ; but it takes some time to break him thoroughly, 
as he is required to be completely under command, and is a very 
restless dog by nature, whereas his duties demand perfect silence. 
There are generally said to be two distinct breeds, one larger than 
the other, but in other respects alike. 
His points are as follows:—Head long and narrow, eyes small, 
and ears of medium length, covered with thick curly hair. Body 
stout,-but elegantly formed, with strong loins and round barrel- 
like. chest, which is broad across the shoulders. The legs are 
rather long, but very strong, the bone being of great size and 
well clothed with muscle. Feet large and spreading, tail covered 
thickly with long curly hair, and slightly curved upwards, but not 
carried above the level of the back. 
IX.—THE POODLE. 
In this country the poodle is chiefly kept as a companion, but in 
France and Germany he is the main dependence of the small’ 
proprietors and farmers who indulge in Ja chasse as the sport par 
excellence of these two nations, and there he is the only water-dog 
known. Within the last = years a gocd many have been im- 
ported into England for wildfowl shooting, but a still greater 
number have been introduced as ladies’ pets, the fashion of the 
