a clever businessdog

In which a poodle proves a most proactive business partner. . .

A gentleman who had occasion, when in Paris,  to pass one of the bridges across the Seine, had his boots, which had been previously well-polished, dirtied by a poodle-dog rubbing against them. He, in consequence, went to the man who was stationed in the bridge, and had them cleaned. The same circumstance having occurred more than once, his curiosity was excited, and he watched the dog. He saw him roll himself in the mud of the river, and then watch for a person with well-polished boots, against which he contrived to rub himself.
Finding that the shoe-black was the owner of the dog, he taxed him with the artifice; and after a little hesitation, he confessed that he had taught the dog the trick in order to procure customers for himself. The gentleman being much struck with the dog's sagacity, purchased him at a high price, and took him to England. He kept him tied up in London some time, and then released him. The dog remained with him a day or two, and then made his escape. A fortnight afterward he was found with his former master, pursuing his old trade on the bridge.

-- from Kiggins & Kellogg. Sagacity and fidelity of the dog: illustrated by interesting anecdotes. New York: Kiggins and Kellogg, 123 & 125 William St.pp. 23-24