CONCERNING DOGS.

North Otago Times, 2 December 1911, Page 4 (Supplement)

CONCERNING DOGS.

THE PUG AND THE POODLE. Pointers and setters, if thjy bo good of their kind, are fascinating dogs to work-with, but, as has been said already, their heart is in their work; they do not caro much for house or for those who tend them, they arc not friends and companions in the sense that so many othor sporting dogs are. Even sjortin* dogs liko the retriever aid spaniel are easily domesticated, and servo a doublo purpose, while the pointer ml setter are best in tho Held.

Although tbe pug has fallen from its high estate, it a dog to be reckoned wiMMnd has man/ friends, It farther aflcll than pointer and Stter, China being its original home, and there it finis all manner of favour,

In this connection there is a good story ot tho late Li Hung Ch.nj, who,, it will be remombered, stayed for some time in London, A gentleman who bred some very fine pugs sent him one as a present to Carl* ton House Terrace. After a week or so he received a letter ot thania from the aged statesman, who said- 1 '"I am sorry to ray that my digestion is not what it was, but the members of my suite who partoo't of your present pronotneed it delicious.' Tho pug Is, of course, a domestic favourite, even though it does not boast the sizci, shape, 'and general appearance that appeal to everytody, Of all the medium-sized dogs, the Doodle is chief, partly because of his extraordinary intelligence, and partly because his coat affords so much occupation to people who have the tlmq and the will to endeavour to improvo upon Nature. It has been remarked that, if tho coat were left alone, it would hang down In tassels like a heavily-stocked hazel tree in spring, No dog responds to training so completely as a poodle; that is why it is to be met so often on the musichall stage, With proper care a poodle can be taught many amusing tricks. It is clean, obedient, and affectionate, and so sought after that toy poodles are now being bred in order to give those who care for the breed a small variety of the desired Bpccics.

As an example of tho poodle's many-sided Intelligence, reference may be made here to a fact that is often overlooked—the poodle can be used to retrieve game, **lhe great difficulty lies in the handling. As a rule the dog hnß a hard mouth, but the writer has seen a carefully-traln.'d poodlo retrieving in very creditable fashion, and taking the keenest interest in his work.—"Windsor Magazine."