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 marvelous 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
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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, ev
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