of the other. The Poodle seems conscious of his worth, and there is often a quiet dignity accompanying his demonstrations of friendship." The frequency with which Poodles appear in troupes of performing animals is convincing testimony to their teachableness, an assertion which will be confirmed by anyone who has been on terms of intimacy with one. A Poodle may be taught to do nearly anything, his perspicacity being almost uncanny, yet we cannot say of him that he is widely popular. It may be that the function of clipping has its terrors, but, when this operation has once been properly performed, I doubt if his toilet is as troublesome as that of most long coated dogs. An exception must, however, be made in the case of the corded variety, the long ropes of hair dragging the ground and demanding skilled treatment. Such a coat has its obvious disadvantages. It is unhygienic because of the dirt which must inevitably accumulate, and from the feet that the cords at the end are composed of dead hair, which in the natural course of events should be shed. The heavy weight, too, of the cords naturally impedes the action, which should be graceful and full of liberty. The coat of the curly Poodle, which more often than not is now merely fluffed out, presents no obstacles. So far as the shaving is concerned, an inspection of an actual dog or photograph will reveal that it is carried out on a more or less well ordered system. Feet and legs are bare, except for bracelets which are left at the hocks and above the pasterns. A small tuft of hair remains at the end of the stern, the rest being denuded; the face is also cleared with
