Patterned Poodles Get Rock Star Treatment At Houston Dog Show

On Sunday, at the Houston World Series of Dog Shows, she transformed Paisley into a nostalgic remembrance of the 1980s, with homages to Alf, E.T., the Smurfs and Strawberry Shortcake woven into her coat. Once lagging in interest, creative grooming is back on the rise as photos of eye-catching designs proliferate online, a couple of well-placed reality television shows inspire artists and a pride of loquacious poodles plays along. At NRG Park, hundreds of patrons snapped photos and gawked at the elaborate designs, each of which bore a theme. Six groomers entered this year's competition, vying for a top prize of $1,500.Oliver's precision and attention to detail astonished patron Jessica McKenny, 35, of Spring. [...] it's the dogs who become the stars, surrounded by dozens of onlookers, many snapping smartphone photos, a few shouting at them. Today, it's still a small-knit group, with about 15 die-hards traveling the country for major events and locals popping up at in-town shows.