THE MOST INTELLIGENT POODLE.
The Poodle is commonly acknowledged to be the most wisely
intelligent of all members of the canine race. There is a
general belief that he is a fop, whose time is largely occupied
in personal embellishment, and that he requires a great deal
of individual attention in the matter of his toilet. It may
be true that to keep him in exhibition order and perfect cleanliness
his owner has need to devote more consideration to him than
is necessary 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 is no dog so
intensely interesting and responsive as a companion. His qualities
of mind and his acute powers of reasoning are indeed so great
that there is something almost human in his attractiveness
and his devotion. His aptitude in learning is never denied,
and many are the stories told of his marvellous talent and
versatility.
Not merely as a showman's dog has he distinguished himself.
He is something more than a mountebank of the booths, trained
to walk the tight rope and stand on his head. He is an adept
at performing tricks, but it is his alertness of brain that
places him apart from other animals.
The profuse and long coat of this dog has the peculiarity
that if not kept constantly brushed out it twists up into
little cords which increase in length as the new hair grows
and clings about it. The unshed old hair and the new growth
entwined together thus become distinct rope-like cords. Eventually,
if these cords are not cut short, or accidentally torn off,
they drag along the ground, and so prevent the poor animal
from moving with any degree of comfort or freedom.
Corded Poodles are very showy, and from the remarkable appearance
of the coat, attract a great deal of public attention when
exhibited at shows; but they have lost popularity among most
fanciers, and have become few in number owing to the obvious
fact that it is impossible 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 in order to keep the cords supple and
prevent them from snapping, and, of course, as their coats
cannot be brushed, the only 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 newly washed dog be kept in a warm room he is very 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, strong, and level; gums black, lips black and
not showing lippiness.
Eyes: Almond shaped, very dark, full of fire and intelligence.
Nose: Black and sharp.
Ears: The leather long and wide, low set on, hanging close
to the face.
Neck: Well proportioned and strong, to admit of the head
being carried high and with dignity.
Feet: Rather small, and of good shape, the toes well arched,
pads thick and hard.
Legs: Fore-legs set straight from shoulder, with plenty of
bone and muscle.
Hind-legs: Very muscular and well bent, with the hocks well
let down.
Tail: Set on rather high, well carried, never curled or carried
over back.
Coat: Very profuse, and of good hard texture; if corded,
hanging in tight, even cords; if non-corded, very thick and
strong, of even length, the curls close and thick, without
knots or cords.
|
