The History of the Retriever

A poodle in a 17th Century engraving.

An interesting Duck's Unlimited Article on the;

The History of the Retriever: A look back at the fascinating origins of the duck dog

worth taking a look at.

Of note:

What may come as a surprise to some retriever enthusiasts is the fact that the standard poodle, which originated in Germany, ranks as one of the oldest sporting dog breeds in the world. Poodles, which are both intelligent and strong swimmers, were sometimes referred to as "rough water dogs." These animals are a far cry from the miniature and toy versions that were later developed in France as pets. The French, however, were well aware of this breed's background. Poodles were called caniche in France, which translates to "duck dog." Poodles arrived in the United States late in the 19th century.