Performing and Toy Breeds

poodles—pomeranians—pugs—schipperkes

Poodles.—One of the most intelligent breeds in existence, that of the Poodle, lends itself especially to becoming a pet or companion, soon becoming warmly attached to its owner, very quick at learning what is required of it, and very smart and vigilant as a guard. Although, in ordinary life, we principally see the curly variety, at all the leading shows, we see specimens of the "corded variety" both white and black in colour, and with coats quite fearful and wonderful to behold, hanging in festoons of cords or tags, in some cases of such length as to sweep the ground as they walk along, which must be a considerable inconvenience to the dogs, as well as their owners. There has been much correspondence and discussion on the subject, but I think, after a lengthened acquaintance with the breed, and having seen and handled nearly all the best specimens brought forward during the last twenty-five years, there is no doubt there are two varieties, corded and curly, and although they have been sometimes interbred, there are corded specimens which would be corded under any circumstances, and there are curly ones that could not be turned into corded, how ever long their coats were left alone. I speak from my own experience, as I have had Poodles which were never anything else but curly, whether clipped or unclipped, and others with coats that would soon become corded if not attended to. I know this is not a general opinion, but it is my impression of the breed. It used to be supposed there were only two colours for Poodles, black and white, but of late years we have seen some very beautiful specimens black and white, red, brown, slate colour, and grey, and different shades of those colours, and so many new breeders and exhibitors of these dogs have appeared in this country and abroad, that I think they may be said to be in more favour than ever, and at most of the larger shows command large entries and attract a great deal of attention from the public, I am told. I had the record entry of eighty specimens at the Ladies' KA Show at Ranelagh Park, 1896. Of course, any breed which requires exceptional care in its preparation, and which so soon gives evidence of any neglect (as in the case of an unshaven and untrimmed Poodle), will always have a limited number of active adherents, but irrespective of their value for sporting purposes (in the same way as the English and Irish Water Spaniels and the Retrievers), all who have kept any of them will know they are full of merit, good tempered as a rule, born humourists, fond of children, grand swimmers, excellent guards, and very affectionate and faithful to their owners and friends. A very high authority, both as a breeder, exhibitor and judge, has set out the points of a correct Poodle as follows:—head long, straight and fine; skull rather nar row and peaked at back, very slight "stop;" long, strong and fine jaw, not full in cheek; teeth white and level; lips black and rather tight fitting; gums and roof of mouth black; nose sharp and black; eyes very dark brown, full of fire and intelligence, nearly almond shaped, leather of ears long and wide, hanging close to face; well proportioned neck of fair length and strength; strong muscular shoulders, sloping well to back; deep and moderately wide chest; short, strong, slightly curved back; broad muscular loins; ribs well sprung and braced up; small round feet, toes well arched, pads thick and hard; well set, straight legs, with plenty of bone and muscle; hind legs very muscular and well bent, hocks well let down; tail not curled over back, but carried rather gaily and set on high; coat profuse and of good texture, not silky; if corded, hanging in tight, even cords; if curled, in strong, thick curls, of even length, without knots or cords. Colours should be self, whites and blacks seem to be the most popular. The general appearance is that of a very active, intelligent and elegant looking dog, stepping out well and carrying himself proudly.

Pomeranians.—Another breed, which has made gigantic strides in public favour of late years, is the Pomeranian, which may be best described, as a miniature copy of the Rough-coated Collie, as it resembles it in nearly every respect, except the carriage of ears and tail, the former being pricked and carried bolt upright, and the latter curled over the side and back of the body. The colours are very varied, starting with white, black, brown, blue, almost every shade of those colours can be met with, besides parti-colours, and the sizes run from nearly thirty pounds to three pounds in weight. Other things being equal, the smaller the size, the more valuable they are, and high class specimens frequently change hands at prices ranging from £10 to £200, so that it has lately been one of the most profitable breeds to produce, as good specimens have been commanding fair prices, and plenty of buyers were found for anything out of the common at almost any price. Browns have been greatly in favour, latterly even more so than blacks, and next to them come whites, but hitherto, there has been a difficulty in obtaining very small whites, and if this is overcome (and many of the leading breeders are doing their best), I think the toy whites will be greatly sought after; some of the little blacks and browns are very beautiful, and I have known very long figures, £100 and over, refused for them by their owners! Being very lively, cheerful and affectionate, and exceedingly sharp and active as guards, this breed is admirably adapted as a pet or companion, and they make very sharp house dogs. It is not desirable to chain them up, as the rubbing of the collar and chain is almost certain to interfere with the set of the crest and frill which in this breed (as in Collies), form such attractive features in their appearance. Pomeranians are seemingly popular with all classes, from Royalty downward. Her Majesty the Queen has a large kennel of them at Windsor, which I had the honour of an invitation to inspect, and can testify to the great interest taken in the breed, and the number of specimens kept, with every care and consideration shown for their happiness and comfort. Her Majesty's collection, when I saw them, some time since, consisted almost entirely of what I should call "off colours" that is, not white, black, brown or blue, but shades and mixtures of those and other colours, some exceedingly pretty, and although somewhat larger in size, being mostly "small-medium," and not so fine in head as many of the dogs now shown, are so good in other respects, that they have often successfully competed with well-known specimens, when Her Majesty has entered any at the Royal Agricultural Hall and Crystal Palace Shows. A great many are also kept by persons in the higher, middle and lower ranks of life, both in this country and the continent of Europe (where, no doubt, the breed originated), and it is a common occurrence, when a popular judge is officiating at one of the larger shows, to see over fifty entries of Pomeranians in the various classes. I have frequently had one hundred, and sometimes even more entries to judge, at the larger shows, and a puzzling job to undertake, on a dull day, in a failing light, is to tackle a class of from twenty to twenty-five black specimens, and try to find out the respective merits of each when there are probably ten or a dozen really good ones amongst the lot, though, to an outsider, they all look much alike. Small, good specimens fetch very long prices, and the breed is exceedingly popular.

The illustrations of this variety are Miss Hamilton's White Dog, the most successful winner of his colour ever shown, H. M., the Queen's Red Dog, a beautiful specimen of the colour and the constant companion of Her Gracious Majesty; Mr. J. Duckworth's Fawn Dog, one of the best headed and coated specimens shown for some time; Miss A. de Pass's Toy Brown, a most perfect and charming specimen, who has taken more prizes than any of her size and colour.

The points are as follows: In general build, and coat more especially, the Pomeranians should somewhat resemble the Rough-coated Collie, with the difference that his head should be shorter, ears smaller and carried perfectly erect; and his tail curled up from the root tightly over his back, or lying flat on his back. He must be a compact little dog, well proportioned in build, standing on straight limbs, and possessing a profuse coat of long and perfectly straight silky or glossy hair all over his body, forming a mane, round his neck, of longer hair, with the forelegs feathered, and the thighs more heavily feathered. He must be sharp and intelligent in expression, and exhibit great activity and buoyancy of disposition, and should not exceed twenty pounds in weight, the smaller specimens being preferable. At the larger shows they are generally divided into over eight pounds and under eight pounds. Colours, white, black, brown, blue and sable, and any combination of those colours. At the present time there is a feeling rather in favour of the shades of brown, but there are many very beautiful specimens of all the colours mentioned above.

Pugs.—One of the really old-fashioned pets and companions is the Pug, of which I have for the last thirty years generally had some specimens about my house, and usually, when I have judged the breed, have been favoured with record entries. I remember on one occasion, when I had a very heavy day at an important London show, and had taken an immense amount of trouble, in the open, on a broiling day in June or July, when the whole of my exhibitors were of the fair sex, and ranged from the highest in the kennel-world, Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales, to those who would not be ashamed to be included amongst "the working classes," I thought, "I shall catch it pretty warmly over this job." I hardly supposed it within the bounds of possibility for any living "mere man," to give satisfaction to such a large number of the other sex, especially when their own particular pets were concerned, so that I was certainly gratified to have a letter, some weeks after, from the Hon. Secretary of the show (whose daughter was an exhibitor and by no means a novice in Pugs either), stating that I had "achieved the unique feat of pleasing every one, as not a single complaint or grumble had been heard or received by the committee from the large body of Pug exhibitors." I mention this, not for the purpose of self-glorification, but to show that, although generally judges are supposed to meet with obloquy and abuse, often not deserved, they do, sometimes, receive kindly recognition of their endeavours, to pick out the best specimens brought under their notice! A good Pug should have a large skull, in proportion to size, well-defined stop, with high forehead, square face, wide-apart eyes, dark and large, round and rather prominent; thin, small ears, carried well forward, a desideratum is a black thumb mark in middle of skull, the mask and ears should be black. Heavy wrinkles about head and face; muscular, thick neck, with skin loose; square, thick, cobby body; deep loins; well rounded ribs; dark trace down back very desirable; also a dark mole on each cheek; muscular hindquarters; firm thighs; strong, short, straight fore legs; well arched, firm, round feet, with black toe nails if possible; tail tightly curled on hips, double turn much desired; coat, except on tail, where it is longer and harsher, should be glossy, soft and short. A very smart, showy and active dog, often an arrant coward, but with a great appearance of dignity, and even ferocity, which is not without its impression on the public. My experience of the breed is that they are, as a rule, very affectionate, and devoted to their owners, "good-doers" and nearly always ready for anything in the way of eating and drinking, great lovers of comfort, and very jealous of any other members of the doggy community being made as much of as themselves. They are very lively, bustling companions, and very popular with those who have kept them. I omitted to say, that the colours are silver fawn and apricot fawn, and of late years, there is also a black variety, the points of which are really the same as in the fawns, but partly concealed by the colour. I think, as a rule, the blacks run more leggy, and many of them heavier than the fawns, but I have had some beautiful specimens of both colours before me many times, and I like a good one, of any size, although, if you can get true Pug qualities, in a small one, it is all the better.

Two of the best-known illustrate this variety.

Schipperkes.—The Schipperke is rather a new breed in this country, and much kept as a pet and companion by its supporters. It was, I think, imported originally from Belgium, where, I understand, though I do not remember seeing many there, it has long been used by the Bargees as a protection on board their boats for their persons and property on their long journeys through the canals. In appearance it is something like a medium or rather small-sized black Pomeranian, out of coat and without any tail, the texture of the coat dense and harsh, soft on the ears, smooth on the head, front of hocks and forelegs, but forming a mane or frill, round neck and shoulders; size should not exceed twenty pounds, and all the better if it is less; eyes small, slightly oval, and dark brown in colour; they make very sharp little watch dogs, are always on the move, and anxious to know the ins and outs of what comes in their way, very excitable and lively in temperament, the former being expressed by raising their mane referred to, barking sharply and running and jumping about; they are good and game vermin killers, as a general rule.

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