CORDED POODLE CH. "MODEL". MADME DAGOIS OWNER.
CURLY POODLE CH. "RUFUS" MRS R. LONG OWNER.
Poodles.—One of the most intelligent breeds in existence, that of the Poodle, lends itself especially to becoming a pet or companion, soon becoming warmly attached to its owner, very quick at learning what is required of it, and very smart and vigilant as a guard. Although, in ordinary life, we principally see the curly variety, at all the leading shows, we see specimens of the "corded variety" both white and black in colour, and with coats quite fearful and wonderful to behold, hanging in festoons of cords or tags, in some cases of such length as to sweep the ground as they walk along, which must be a considerable inconvenience to the dogs, as well as their owners. There has been much correspondence and discussion on the subject, but I think, after a lengthened acquaintance with the breed, and having seen and handled nearly all the best specimens brought forward during the last twenty-five years, there is no doubt there are two varieties, corded and curly, and although they have been sometimes interbred, there are corded specimens which would be corded under any circumstances, and there are curly ones that could not be turned into corded, how ever long their coats were left alone. I speak from my own experience, as I have had Poodles which were never anything else but curly, whether clipped or unclipped, and others with coats that would soon become corded if not attended to. I know this is not a general opinion, but it is my impression of the breed. It used to be supposed there were only two colours for Poodles, black and white, but of late years we have seen some very beautiful specimens black and white, red, brown, slate colour, and grey, and different shades of those colours, and so many new breeders and exhibitors of these dogs have appeared in this country and abroad, that I think they may be said to be in more favour than ever, and at most of the larger shows command large entries and attract a great deal of attention from the public, I am told. I had the record entry of eighty specimens at the Ladies' KA Show at Ranelagh Park, 1896. Of course, any breed which requires exceptional care in its preparation, and which so soon gives evidence of any neglect (as in the case of an unshaven and untrimmed Poodle), will always have a limited number of active adherents, but irrespective of their value for sporting purposes (in the same way as the English and Irish Water Spaniels and the Retrievers), all who have kept any of them will know they are full of merit, good tempered as a rule, born humourists, fond of children, grand swimmers, excellent guards, and very affectionate and faithful to their owners and friends. A very high authority, both as a breeder, exhibitor and judge, has set out the points of a correct Poodle as follows:—head long, straight and fine; skull rather nar row and peaked at back, very slight "stop;" long, strong and fine jaw, not full in cheek; teeth white and level; lips black and rather tight fitting; gums and roof of mouth black; nose sharp and black; eyes very dark brown, full of fire and intelligence, nearly almond shaped, leather of ears long and wide, hanging close to face; well proportioned neck of fair length and strength; strong muscular shoulders, sloping well to back; deep and moderately wide chest; short, strong, slightly curved back; broad muscular loins; ribs well sprung and braced up; small round feet, toes well arched, pads thick and hard; well set, straight legs, with plenty of bone and muscle; hind legs very muscular and well bent, hocks well let down; tail not curled over back, but carried rather gaily and set on high; coat profuse and of good texture, not silky; if corded, hanging in tight, even cords; if curled, in strong, thick curls, of even length, without knots or cords. Colours should be self, whites and blacks seem to be the most popular. The general appearance is that of a very active, intelligent and elegant looking dog, stepping out well and carrying himself proudly.
WHITE POMERANIAN CH. "KÖNIG of ROZELLE" MISS HAMILTON OWNER.
Pomeranians.—Another breed, which has made gigantic strides in public favour of late years, is the Pomeranian, which may be best described, as a miniature copy of the Rough-coated Collie, as it resembles it in nearly every respect, except the carriage of ears and tail, the former being pricked and carried bolt upright, and the latter curled over the side and back of the body. The colours are very varied, starting with white, black, brown, blue, almost every shade of those colours can be met with, besides parti-colours, and the sizes run from nearly thirty pounds to three pounds in weight. Other things being equal, the smaller the size, the more valuable they are, and high class specimens frequently change hands at prices ranging from £10 to £200, so that it has lately been one of the most profitable breeds to produce, as good specimens have been commanding fair prices, and plenty of buyers were found for anything out of the common at almost any price. Browns have been greatly in favour, latterly even more so than blacks, and next to them come whites, but hitherto, there has been a difficulty in obtaining very small whites, and if this is overcome (and many of the leading breeders are doing their best), I think the toy whites will be greatly sought after; some of the little blacks and browns are very beautiful, and I have known very long figures, £100 and over, refused for them by their owners! Being very lively, cheerful and affectionate, and exceedingly sharp and active as guards, this breed is admirably adapted as a pet or companion, and they make very sharp house dogs. It is not desirable to chain them up, as the rubbing of the collar and chain is almost certain to interfere with the set of the crest and frill which in this breed (as in Collies), form such attractive features in their appearance. Pomeranians are seemingly popular with all classes, from Royalty downward. Her Majesty the Queen has a large kennel of them at Windsor, which I had the honour of an invitation to inspect, and can testify to the great interest taken in the breed, and the number of specimens kept, with every care and consideration shown for their happiness and comfort. Her Majesty's collection, when I saw them, some time since, consisted almost entirely of what I should call "off colours" that is, not white, black, brown or blue, but shades and mixtures of those and other colours, some exceedingly pretty, and although somewhat larger in size, being mostly "small-medium," and not so fine in head as many of the dogs now shown, are so good in other respects, that they have often successfully competed with well-known specimens, when Her Majesty has entered any at the Royal Agricultural Hall and Crystal Palace Shows. A great many are also kept by persons in the higher, middle and lower ranks of life, both in this country and the continent of Europe (where, no doubt, the breed originated), and it is a common occurrence, when a popular judge is officiating at one of the larger shows, to see over fifty entries of Pomeranians in the various classes. I have frequently had one hundred, and sometimes even more entries to judge, at the larger shows, and a puzzling job to undertake, on a dull day, in a failing light, is to tackle a class of from twenty to twenty-five black specimens, and try to find out the respective merits of each when there are probably ten or a dozen really good ones amongst the lot, though, to an outsider, they all look much alike. Small, good specimens fetch very long prices, and the breed is exceedingly popular.