The Red Top knot...

[lisaj]

Hi Everyone...Ok I have a question. I have looked and looked in my books but I have been unable to find the answer. I understand that the Red Top knot is a tradition, and I agree it looks great on them, but what is the story behind the tradition? If anyone can let me know what it is I will be so grateful as my books are getting worn out from flippin' through the pages over and over!! Thanks guys in advance.......Lisa

[WalnutHill]

I have no idea if there is a 'tradition' per se. Personally, I have tried all sorts of different color bows, and red is the only one that really makes the blue and tan in the coat 'pop'. Example: Green makes the tan look washed-out and grey. So, red just works the best for me because it compliments the coloring the best. Other colors just don't show the real full color spectrum in the coat. I hope that makes sense.

[topknot]

There is no specific tradition. When I started showing back in 79' we used lots of other colors too. Sharp Turq. Blue was also very popular at shows then too and then also the red with white poka-dots bow too. But red has just been very common since it makes the gold sharper. Now it is used most all the time. That all there is to it.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by topknot

There is no specific tradition. When I started showing back in 79' we used lots of other colors too. Sharp Turq. Blue was also very popular at shows then too and then also the red with white poka-dots bow too. But red has just been very common since it makes the gold sharper. Now it is used most all the time. That all there is to it.

You're right.....no specific tradition. Just red is the color. Cede Higgins showed with a red and white polka dot bow....

Some exhibitors use other colors. The rule of thumb is to use a color that enhances the gold and brings out their features. Some yorkies have a bit of red in their gold and orange looks better. I've used black on some of my boys, when their gold is a bit lighter (just have to be careful that it doesn't bring out the thumb prints or that black stripe in the center because it does call attention to it).....I've also used red, white and blue bows....for the 4th of July.....

There are shades of red that have too much blue in them and do nothing for dogs....so, one has to make sure they are putting the right color red on their dogs.....

I know there was a handler, now deseased who only used green on the yorkies he showed.....

[topknot]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

You're right.....no specific tradition. Just red is the color. Cede Higgins showed with a red and white polka dot bow....

Some exhibitors use other colors. The rule of thumb is to use a color that enhances the gold and brings out their features. Some yorkies have a bit of red in their gold and orange looks better. I've used black on some of my boys, when their gold is a bit lighter (just have to be careful that it doesn't bring out the thumb prints or that black stripe in the center because it does call attention to it).....I've also used red, white and blue bows....for the 4th of July.....

There are shades of red that have too much blue in them and do nothing for dogs....so, one has to make sure they are putting the right color red on their dogs.....

I know there was a handler, now deseased who only used green on the yorkies he showed.....

I know... Barbara/Marlene started a fade, didn't she. It lasted quite awhile. I know I have used a red with white poka-dots before! So cute!

And Top Banana looked great in his orange bow!

Who was the handler with green bows?? I can't think of who that is?

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by topknot

I know... Barbara/Marlene started a fade, didn't she. It lasted quite awhile. I know I have used a red with white poka-dots before! So cute!

And Top Banana looked great in his orange bow!

Who was the handler with green bows?? I can't think of who that is?

CL Eudy........

[topknot]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

CL Eudy........

Ahhh.. in TX.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by topknot

Ahhh.. in TX.

Yep! We lost him a couple about 3 years ago. What a character.....I could listen to him tell jokes and stories for hours on end. A force to be reckoned with in the ring.....he could pull tricks on you and spoof your dog if you weren't alert and didn't know his tricks.

[topknot]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Yep! We lost him a couple about 3 years ago. What a character.....I could listen to him tell jokes and stories for hours on end. A force to be reckoned with in the ring.....he could pull tricks on you and spoof your dog if you weren't alert and didn't know his tricks.

Wow! I heard of one story where he got on to someone brushing their dog wrong (he was training her to do right). Gotta love him!! We are loosing some of the greats! So sad!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by topknot

Wow! I heard of one story where he got on to someone brushing their dog wrong (he was training her to do right). Gotta love him!! We are loosing some of the greats! So sad!

He was Diabetic...and we lost him to that......Great guy.....funny........I still have some of his black nose recipe.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

(just have to be careful that it doesn't bring out the thumb prints or that black stripe in the center because it does call attention to it)

Question from a civilian (non-show person): What are the "thumb prints"?

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Question from a civilian (non-show person): What are the "thumb prints"?

Thump prints is a term describe the black coat growing out from sides of their ear furnishings......Something that every puppy has, it just takes time to grow out.......

Just to claify, some pups never outgrow the thumb prints....ususally those that are soft coated. At times their head furnishings never clear to the desired gold.

[topknot]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Question from a civilian (non-show person): What are the "thumb prints"?

Yes- so true Mary. Here is one with thumprint in the front - in the topnot - black streak going up in the gold from between the eyes. Most of the time they grow out, but on some they do not. Here is a photo from the old days - early 1980s, of one of my boys with a thumbprint. He was only about 1 here. He had amazing structure. Our topknots back then were not so fancy and no poof! So much easier then.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by topknot

Yes- so true Mary. Here is one with thumprint in the front - in the topnot - black streak going up in the gold from between the eyes. Most of the time they grow out, but on some they do not. Here is a photo from the old days - early 1980s, of one of my boys with a thumbprint. He was only about 1 here. He had amazing structure. Our topknots back then were not so fancy and no poof! So much easier then.

The one going up the middle I call the skunk streak......

[topknot]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

The one going up the middle I call the skunk streak......

LOL... Hahahaha! I called it - Ugh..Grrrrr.....

He is the one (my first try at wrapping) I tried my hands at wapping him for the first time and decided to wrap him at night. I woke up to all his coat in his wraps on the floor!! Word of warning... and what I learned - "Never wrap a coat for the first time for the dog at night." Always try in the day and watch them. We did not have wraping jackets back then. He was my very first real show dog.