Page 90 - ShowSight - May 2020

Figure 5. Basset Hound depicting a correct “wrap Figure 6. Straight legs of the Smooth Fox front.” Terrier.
Figure 8. Buff, a black Poodle, 1812 by James Ward, R.A.
The development of this weather-resistant quality was probably what caused the coat to grow almost too long; the dog was then shaved on the hindquarters and feet to facilitate its swimming and water retrieving.
The disposition of our original Poodle was co-operative and loyal, yet courageous enough to work in trying conditions, unaided in his worst moments by his master. This produced a most intelligent and spirited, yet totally obliging creature whose disposition has kept him a favorite long after his practical usefulness has gone.
One can comprehend that the fairly short body, long legs and flexible feet gave this dog an interesting appearance and stylish, springy action; certainly the high head-carriage, oval, wide-set eyes and low-hung ears gave him a wise, noble expression; but it was the shaved parts of his body, done for purely utilitarian reasons, that gave this powerful hunt- ing dog a reputation for more elegance than actually belonged to him. Any heavily coated dog for any animal for that matter—which is shorn, appears more fragile and slender than people imagine it to be!
Today, we find an emphasis on the Poodle coat that would have rendered the Water Dog completely useless; in fact, too often our Poodles are judged on this quality alone, the other equally important parts of the Standard being neglected. One often beholds so-called famous show Poodles with short necks, jowly muzzles, over-wide chests and round eyes, winning on their enormous profusion of coat and good showing dispositions. Such dogs do lack “type,” and are a breed detriment.
Then there is the other extreme: The Poodle so delicate in bone, so elegant and fragile that it has no strength at all; the word “sporting” could not possibly be attribued to its kind. Such a dog may be “pretty as a picture”, but it certainly lacks “type.” It is not a real Poodle.
It seems to me that more of our Poodle judges should emphasize the construction of our dog rather than its general appearance, until they learn what that general appearance should really be. They could also well afford to observe the quality of the coat rather than its length and the way a Poodle moves, rather than its showmanship, because a dog with spirit can move well, but it also can move very badly indeed!
Color is, of course, important, but not as important as the above. Color alone does not make the dog so “Poodley,” as one great breeder described an excellent specimen of our breed.
The color and size of the original Poodle was not much emphasized. The early Poodles, even up to 1700, were frequently parti-colored, although the Germans, and later the French, did much to develop the solid color. For a long time size was optional, although the Germans do mention, in 1400, “a large and small Wasserhund.” The large Water Dog is described as about 60 to 65 pounds in weight, and must have been between 23 and 24 inches at the shoulder.
At any rate, the breed Standard was built around our so-called Standard Poodle and, therefore, it is deplorable that today, of our three varieties, the big Poodle appears to be the least popular and, on the whole, not uniform in type. For instance, Miniatures and Toys are improving, but there are as many poor type Standards as good.
Can it be that Standard breeders have had too little competition in their own size? Or have they forgotten our breed Standard and are unaware of type? Certainly the breeders of Miniatures in their efforts to equal the Standard Poodle have studied type so thoroughly that the average Miniature type is now superior to that of the big dogs. The same soon may be true of the Toys where breeders are struggling to achieve equal status with the Miniatures.
But—and it is a big but—most Toy and Miniature breeders are not interested in the original history of the Poodle. Their point of view is limited to their own variety, and its show and companionship values. The big Poodle is the truest representative of our breed because he still can do what he was bred to do—and we need breeders who appreciate this fact. Only this point of view will properly preserve our Standards and therefore all three varieties.
Type is what makes a Poodle “Poodley” type is what makes all com- petitors agree that, even if the dog is not one of theirs, it is, nevertheless, a satisfaction. Type is the standard, the description of a breed based entirely on the purpose that particular kind of dog had to fulfill.
We will continue with soundness in the next issue. Until then, to schedule a seminar, or if you have any questions or comments, contact me via email at jimanie@welshcorgi.com.
FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
Figure 7. Pointer on point.
88 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2020