For this variety one is certainly entitled to claim ancient lineage, as on very early monuments and inscriptions dogs more or less resembling Poodles in appearance have been found. We know that in France and Germany, for ages, Poodles have been kept as companions and used for sporting purposes, and in many old prints and pictures of people and scenery in France Poodles have been depicted as the national dogs, in the same way as we see the Bulldog shown in pictures of Englishmen.

Irrespective of coats or colours, there are at least three sizes of Poodles: the large, which may scale up to 701b. in weight; the medium-sized, varying between 151b. and 301b; and the small, running from 41b. or 51b. to 91b. or 10 lb. The large and the small are almost invariably either black or white in colour, most of the off colours being amongst those of the medium sizes.

The majority of those Poodles seen in this country had their origin on the Continent of Europe, where they may still be found in France, Germany, Italy, and Russia. Nearly all the Blacks used to be called Russian Poodles; but the writer has seen more of the larger-sized specimens in Germany than anywhere else, and he is aware that many of the best shown here have been imported from that country. Poodles used to be favourite canine companions of the students of the German universities, where many dogs worthy of exhibition at our best shows might be seen accompanying them.

That this breed has made rapid strides during the last twenty-five years is proved not only by the numbers seen during our walks abroad, but by the greatly increased entries at any shows where the classification and judges are acceptable to the many owners of these sagacious animals.

In most of the books on dogs written within the last century, although the authors hold many different views respecting minor matters, they seem unanimous in their opinions that the old Large Water-dog was one of the ancestors of the large-sized Poodle of the present day; indeed, Youatt (who wrote about sixty years ago) went so far as to give a picture of the old Water-dog as a Poodle proper. They also agree that the Small Water-dog was one of the progenitors of the smaller Poodles.

Though the writer is disposed to concur in this opinion, yet, at this length of time, it is not possible to decide what other variety of dog was used to produce the Poodles now seen, for it must be admitted that although he had some family connection with the modern Curly-coated Retriever and the Irish Water-spaniel, as well as the Poodle, the old Large Water-dog mentioned and drawn by early writers was much shorter and thicker in head and muzzle. In fact, he was a coarser and heavier dog altogether, and he was never clipped, trimmed, or made a pet of, as are his modern prototypes.

In a rough and general way Poodles may be divided into three sections - Corded, Non-corded, and Toys. In the first named (Fig. 108) the coat hangs in long strands, or ringlets, often more than reaching to the ground, requiring much care and attention to prevent the matting or felting sure to attend neglect of the necessary grooming. The Non-corded may be subdivided into Curly and Fluffy. The former is shown with a quasi-natural coat composed of small curls, something like those seen on Curly-coated Retrievers and Irish Water Spaniels, but not usually so tightly curled. The latter is shown with the hair combed and teased out till little of the curl is apparent, but the parts unshorn are a mass of soft fluffy hair on head, ears, shoulders, etc., giving that leonine aspect so much admired by many fanciers. Toys have come more into vogue of late years, and with them may be found all the variations of coat named - Corded, Curly, and Fluffy; but, as with their larger brethren, the last two are far more numerous than the first named.

With this chapter is given two typical specimens (Figs. 108 and 109); these will convey better ideas of the animals than any detailed descriptions of them in writing.

In the several varieties of Poodles the colours are numerous, although when first the writer was asked to judge them at some of our largest shows whites were in the majority. At present the preponderance is much in favour of blacks; but there are also browns of various shades, blues, greys, reds, as well as particoloured specimens. Amongst those shown with corded coats, the colours are mostly confined to black and white, any variation from these being exceedingly rare. The greatest number of those other than black or white are found amongst the Curlies, Fluffies, and Toys. Many persons interested in the breed consider that black and white are the only proper Poodle colours. Be this as it may, many beautiful browns, greys, blues, and reds are occasionally seen. The parti-coloured ones, on the other hand, have somewhat the appearance of freaks of nature, and are not so worthy of encouragement as the self-colours, as they seem wanting in type and character.

Fig. 109. - Mrs. L. W. Crouch's Fluffy Poodle L'Enfant Prodigue.

By far the greater number of Poodles kept in this country are treated as pets and companions, and they are, moreover, mostly in the possession of women. They prove admirable guards, and are docile, lively, and affectionate companions, with a keen love of sport, which makes them useful with the gun, particularly at duck-shooting. They are good swimmers and fond of the water, and their intelligence will compare favourably with that of any other variety of dog, the Sheepdog family perhaps coming nearest to them in this respect. It is this intelligence that makes them so popular with those who earn their living by training troupes of performing dogs. All who have witnessed such entertainments will doubtless call to mind the many Poodles that they have seen taking part in them. Probably also they will have noted the eager, delighted way in which performing Poodles carry out their duties, often evincing much humour in their work and entering into it with great zest.

Fig. 108. - Corded Poodle Champion Vladimir.