Check out this slideshow of dog photographs by Tim Flach. I had no idea that the blobby hair cut donned by poodles had such a utilitarian purpose:

Poodles were originally working water dogs used as gun dogs and retrievers. The peculiar “continental clip” is an exaggerated version of the cut used for working. Most of the body, face and legs were shaved to make swimming easier and smoother, but the extremities and chest had to be protected, hence the pom-poms on feet and tail. The clump at the base of the tail bore a mark to identify the owner.

(Photo by Tim Flach)