trained to retrieve
waterfowl, and he still on occasion displays an eager fondness for
the water.

Throughout Europe and in the United States--wherever these dogs are
kept--it is usual to clip the coat on the face, the legs, and the
hinder part of the body, leaving tufts of hair on the thighs and a
ring of hair on the pasterns. The origin and purpose of the custom
are not apparent, but now that Poodles are almost always kept as house
dogs, this mode of ornamentation at least commends itself by reducing
the labour of daily grooming if the coat is to be maintained in good
condition and the dog to be a pleasant associate.

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. Some few owners, who admire and cultivate these long cords,
keep them tied up in bundles on the dog's back, but so unnatural and
unsightly a method of burdening the animal is not to be commended.

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.

At one time it was suggested that cordeds and non-cordeds were two
distinct breeds, but it is now generally accepted that the coat of
every well-bred Poodle will, if allowed, develop cords.

Curly Poodles, on the other hand, have advanced considerably in
favour. Their coats should be kept regularly brushed