most observers trace the poodle's unique haircut to late 16th- and early 17th-century Central Europe (particularly in the region that's now Germany) where poodles were bred for use as water retrievers. (The word "poodle" is derived from the German pudel, short for pudelhund, which means "water dog." Pudeln in German means "splash," and is also the root of the English word "puddle.") [slate]
The Westminster Kennel Club's Best in Show is tonight. I doubt that it will be as entertaining as the movie of the same title.