THE MOST intelligent POODLE

THE MOST intelligent POODLE. The Poodle is often acknowledged to be the most smartly clever of all members of the dog race. There is a general belief that he is a fop, whose time is largely occupied in private embellishment, and that he needs a great amount of individual attention in the matter of his toilet.

It may be correct that to keep him in exhibition order and perfect cleanness his owner has need to dedicate more consideration to him than is mandatory in the case of many breeds , but in other respects he gives very little trouble, and all who are attached to him are consistent in their opinion that there's no dog so intensely engaging and responsive as a companion. His qualities of mind and his acute powers of reasoning are indeed so great that there is something virtually human in his attractiveness and his attention.

His ability in learning is never denied, and many are the stories told of his fabulous talent and versatility. Not merely as a showman's dog has he distinguished himself. He's something more than a mountebank of the booths, trained to walk the tight rope and stand on his head. He's an adept at performing tricks, but it is his concentration of brain that places him apart from other animals. The profuse and long coat of this dog has the affectation that if not kept constantly brushed out it twists up into small cords which increase in length as the new hair grows and clings about it.

The unshed old hair and the new growth twisted together so become distinct rope-like cords. At last, if these cords aren't cut short, or accidentally torn off, they drag along the ground, and so stop the poor animal from moving with any degree of comfort or freedom. Corded Poodles are terribly showy, and from the noteworthy appearance of the coat, attract a large amount of public attention when exhibited at shows , but they have lost popularity among most fanciers, and have become few in number due to the clear fact that it is not possible to make pets of them or keep them in the house. The reason of this is that the coat must, from time to time, be oiled to keep the cords pliable and stop them from snapping, and, naturally, as their coats can't be brushed, the sole way of keeping the dog clean is to wash him, which with a corded Poodle is a lengthy and laborious process. Further, the coat takes hours to dry, and unless the just washed dog be kept in a warm room he is terribly liable to catch cold.

The result is, that the coats of corded Poodles are almost invariably dirty, and somewhat smelly.

Poodle's General appearance ---------------------------

Head : Long, straight, and fine, the skull not broad, with a slight peak at the back. Muzzle : Long ( but not snipy ) and strong not full in cheek , teeth white, robust, and level , gums black, lips black and not showing lippiness.

Eyes : Almond shaped, really dark, full of fire and intelligence. Nose : Black and sharp. Ears : The leather long and wide, low set on, hanging near to the face.

Neck : Well proportioned and strong, to admit of the head being carried high and with dignity.

Feet : Rather little, and of excellent condition, the toes well arched, pads thick and hard.

Legs :Fore-legs set straight from shoulder, with masses of bone and muscle. Hind-legs : extremely muscly and well bent, with the hocks well let down. Tail : Set on sort of high, well carried, never curled or carried over back.

Coat : extremely copious, and of good hard texture , if corded, hanging in tight, even cords , if non-corded, very thick and powerful, of even length, the curls close and thick, without knots or cords. .