It is, however, chiefly in the retrieving part of his business that the poodle distinguishes himself. He is so patient and so indefatigable, and so sensible in his search for wounded or dead game, that, even in the face of the greatest difficulties, he succeeds. In this he is greatly encouraged by his native master, to whom a bird lost is perhaps the day's bread lost; and the dog seems to understand that all-pressing demand on his talents. One will often hear the huttiers of the northern coasts of the Continent say of their poodles that they won't come back without the dead or wounded birds; and this is perfectly correct. It is very, very rare indeed that a bird is lost. In this characteristic determination the Irish or the English water spaniel will join issue with the poodle, and, in fact, it seems a distinctive point in all the breeds of water spaniels that, when once they have seen a bird, or heard him, come down, they mean to have him, and will have him too, by hook or by crook; and those marsh shooters who have seen their dogs repeatedly diving after wounded ducks or widgeons will testify that the performance is a treat.

The poodle never "sulks" in his retrieving. The fact is, retrieving seems to be to him quite a second nature. Evidently, he inherits it from a very long list of retrieving ancestors; for, when yet quite a puppy, a poodle will deliberately pick up things and carry them to, or behind, his master. There is, therefore, no need of training him to retrieve. It comes to him as naturally as a duckling takes to water, and he never tires of it. Now, this is of paramount importance for the professional huttier, who kills his birds especially in the night, over his decoy ducks, and who therefore must rely implicitly upon his dog to collect the slain and wounded. This the dog does without being spoken to, and he generally concludes his search in the pool by a walk round the shores, in the reeds, for any stray wounded bird; and he is not content with walking there, but paddles in the reeds and grass slowly and carefully, and sniffs and listens now and then, for he knows by experience that some of the birds will dive and hold back under water until he has passed. If, therefore, he hears the slightest splash in the water, he remains perfectly still, and watches for any further signs.

Of course, all this shows good breaking - granted; but there is thought in it, too, and I verily believe that some sporting poodles have quite as much sense as their masters.

Respecting poodles for show purposes, I have often wondered why so few have ever made their appearance on the show benches. If beauty and utility combined are really considered a desideratum in show dogs, then I contend that a good, well-bred, working poodle is a most handsome and most useful animal, well worthy of competing, for instance, with the very ugly specimens of retriever proper which nowadays find their way in shows, especially in the curly-coated classes. And who could say Nay to the judge who should award a prize to a handsome working poodle, entered either with retrievers or with water spaniels (according to the colour of his coat)? for he is not a retriever, and he is not a water spaniel; and, moreover, is he not, in the vast majority of cases, pure bred ? Therefore I beg to submit that the exhibition of poodles should be encouraged by all means. There is no more sagacious dog than the poodle, none more persevering in his work, none more affectionate to his master; and the true lines of his body are simply as perfect as can be.

Then, let poodles be rescued from the oblivion into which their breed seems to have fallen of late; and many a true sportsman will say Amen to that from the bottom of his heart, for, morally and physically, the poodle is the very emblem of what a dog, as man's help and companion, should be; and it is a great mistake to allow such a valuable breed to become extinct - as extinct it certainly will soon be, if no effort be made, and that very speedily too, to rescue it from that neglect and indifference which have allowed him almost to disappear from the face of the earth.

The group of dogs selected for, illustration, which were exhibited in 1876 at the Westminster Aquarium by Mr. Walton, consists of two French poodles (white), and a black Russian imported by his present owner; besides which a remarkably clever little rabbit greyhound is introduced, in the act of performing the trick of ascending bar by bar to the top of two ladders, which in the actual exhibition are held for him by assistant dogs. The large poodle described above is so uncommon in this country that no specimen has been within reach, and he is not, therefore, put on paper by Mr. Baker, who has succeeded admirably with Mr. Walton's pupils.