New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-18
"Most Intelligent and
Docile of CANNES" Says
John B. Hopkins.
HAS LONG BEEN A
FAVORITE ABROAD
All Types Are of a Common
Origin. but Characteristics
Vary in Different Countries.

there is to know about poodles, and h"
has put this knowledge to such praet'-
cal use that now he is breeding almost
perfect specimens. A majority OF the
beautiful French poodles seen in the
show ring and elsewhere are of the
Hopkins stock. In speaking of his
favorite cog Mr.. Hopkins says:
"The poodle is conceded by many to
be the most intelligent OF all members
Of the genus canus. lie is devotei
companion and watch dog. and is i
gentleman at all times. But m spite
Of his claim Of long descent and ms
extraordinary cleverness he never has
been so popular as the Boston terrier.
tho Pomeranian or the collie.
There seems 20 be a general beliei
that Master Frenchie is a Top whose
time is occupied in personal embellish-
ment. and that ne REQUIRES great deal
Of attention in the matter OF ms toilet'
at is true that to keep MN III luii
coat and exhibition trim ms owner
must needs devote more conSlderS'loi.
y
many other breeds. In other respects
however. he gives very little trouble
and every one who owns or even nan
dies a French poodle agrees that their
l. 10 dog so intensely interesting """
responsive as companion
"His qualities of mind and ms acute
movers of reasoning are so great lh"I
there IS something almost human IL
his attractivenesS His great aptitude
in learning is undenied. and many are
the stories told OF ms talent ana Nei-
"Noi merely as a showman'S dog has
the French poodle distinguished NM
self. He is something more IMAM
mountebank of the booths. trained TO
walk the tight rope md stand on ms
head. lie is an adept at perform 'ng
tricks. hut it is his alertness OF oraih
thst places him apart from other AMI
mails. .lo
For instance, there Is the example
OF the famous Monte. who IN 1918 per
plexed the Parisians by his cleVeiheSS
IN playing cards and ms intricate
arithmetical calculations. Paris was
formerly the home Of the most learned
noodles. and there j. related Le. III
stance Of the poodle of the PonC Neui'
who had the habit Of dir'ylns up tne
boots OF passersby il order that ms
master. 2 bootblaci. stationed half way
across the bridge. might tn5OE 'he
profit of cleaning Their.
in Belgium pOOdie- were syStemau-
calIv trained 10 smuocle valuable laces'
which we're wound around their shaver
bodies and covered Nth false SKIN.
..Thesc dogs were 'rainCd 10 dis
like OF all men in Inform. and con-
seouently on their journeys between
Mechlin and the COZ - they always
cave a wide berth l. the customs OIL
fcers. On the Continent poodles OF
the larger kind are often used tor
draft work.
@Tbere can be little doubt that the
breed originated IN Germany. where II
IL known as ;he Pudel and classed IS
the CAMS familaris a0uaticus. In form
and coat he is closely related TO the
old water dog. and the resemblance
between a brown poodle and an lrlSh
water spaniel is remarkable.
"The poodle is no longer considered .
q sporting dog. but al one period ne
was trained to retrieve water fowl ana
he still displays an eagerness Tor the
water. This aquatic tendency, now
ever. is not encouraged by the owner
,-ho knows the labor involved in keep
ing in order mis- prOfuse coat
Throughout Europe and IN the
United States it is usual TO clip the
Cat on the face, the legs and hind
mart of the body. leaving rosettes on
he hips and bracelets on the ankles
The origin and purpose of the custom
are not apparent. but now that poodles
are kent as house dogs this mode OF
ornamentation at least commends IT.
self bv reducing the labor Of the daily
grooming. -
"As far back as the history of the
breed can be definitely traced clipping
seems TO have been customary: PoodleS
arc so presented in various illustrated
manuscripts of the sixteenth century
One notable illustration is an episode
in the life of Margaret of York, the
third wife of Charles the Bold OF Bur
cundy. In another painting, depicting
family group of Macmillan Of Aus
tria and his wife and child. there Is &
portrait Of a shorn dog, which, allow
ing for the artistic shortcomings o.
the period. closely resembles the
poodle Of to-day.
"Throughout Europe the poodle diff
fcrs in form and. color in the various
Countries. In Russia and Eastern Ger
sian variety is particularly agile. In
Central Germany. where there is also
sheen poodle. he is somewhat un-
couth ard thickset and has short
muzzlc.
"Thc detected and overworked poodle
Is seen drawing milk wagon in the
streets of Brussels and Antwerp. These
docs are a dirty white or apricot and
are exceedingly muscular. Quite du-
fercnt are tho slender. graceful kind
so frequently met with on the bouIc.
wards of Paris or perched Impairment
IN in the carriages CD the Champs Ely
sees. The small French variety
known as the Barbet. seldom weighs
more than twenty pounds.
"The noodle was first introduced into
Greet Britain during the Continental
wars at the beginning OF the nineteenth
century. For a long period he was
held in contempt as mere trick dog
and the companion OF mountebanks'
,cho were believed TO train him with
cruelty. In recent years, however his
intelligence and dptnCsS IN learning
have won for him due appreciation.
"The profusc coat of the poodle has
tho Dcculiar trick Of twisting up into
little cords If 10 is not constantly
brushed. Eventually If these cords
are not cut short or accidentally torn
Of they will drag along the ground.
CORDED poodles are very SNOWY. ard
from the remarkable appearance OF the
coat attract a great deal Of attention
when exhibited at shows.
at one time II was suggested that
the corded and the non-cOrded wers
two distinct breeds. but II is now gem
orally accepted that the coat OF ever
well bred poodle will. II allowed, de-
velop cords. Curly poodlcS, on the
- I..-... ...l.-u1.und cnna d IA hi y