Bow Color History - Fun thread

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Cirlonde

I went to a dog show in OKC a few months ago and noticed that all but one or two of the Yorkies all had red bows. I wondered at the time if that was a requirement or not...

What sets the standard accepted color? Just fashion of the day?
-C

Red is the traditional yorkie color and been used for years. But, the red must be a tone that compliments the gold. But, there is nothing in the rule book to say it is a must. What one is attempting to do is compliment and bring out the gold tones in the head.

[topknot]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Red is the traditional yorkie color and been used for years. But, the red must be a tone that compliments the gold. But, there is nothing in the rule book to say it is a must. What one is attempting to do is compliment and bring out the gold tones in the head.

I would like to mention too that there are red bows with different amounts and designs of gold trim on them. There are also some with rhinestones and some without. It is really up to the owner or handlers choice as to which bow color to place on the topknot. And as Mary mentioned, you want to compliment your dog. Use which ever color you want that best one will compliment. I try out different ones and see which ones do the best job. And you will need to retry as your yorkie grows and gets older.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by topknot

I would like to mention too that there are red bows with different amounts and designs of gold trim on them. There are also some with rhinestones and some without. It is really up to the owner or handlers choice as to which bow color to place on the topknot. And as Mary mentioned, you want to compliment your dog. Use which ever color you want that best one will compliment. I try out different ones and see which ones do the best job. And you will need to retry as your yorkie grows and gets older.

Once my dog obtains it's first points, I don't change the bow. I use it until the dog Champions....a superstitious thing.

[topknot]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Once my dog obtains it's first points, I don't change the bow. I use it until the dog Champions....a superstitious thing.

Oh Mary, you are kididng!! You sound just like a baseball player. But I think it is cute. Hey, what ever it takes, I guess.

Just so novices know - the judge does not judge your bow. It is the dog the judge is evaluating.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by topknot

Oh Mary, you are kididng!! You sound just like a baseball player. But I think it is cute. Hey, what ever it takes, I guess.

Just so novices know - the judge does not judge your bow. It is the dog the judge is evaluating.

No, I'm not kidding. Trish does it too, as most of my exhibitor friends.

My mentor always tell me; you don't win on a topknot.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

No, I'm not kidding. Trish does it too, as most of my exhibitor friends.

My mentor always tell me; you don't win on a topknot.

That s good to know. funny story (kindof) well I was showing Razzle one day and with the couple of other dogs ahead of him, I noticed the judge really checking out the topknot. Lifting it a bit - wriggling it. I started to sweat, if he did that with Razz the whole bow topknot thingie would just disintegrate I assumed he was checking to see if there was some ear hair tucked into bow to help out with ear carriage. So I get Razz up on the table his bow is already askew and he never even touches his topknot. (but he did smile). We actually did lose the bow on the down n back

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by gemy

That s good to know. funny story (kindof) well I was showing Razzle one day and with the couple of other dogs ahead of him, I noticed the judge really checking out the topknot. Lifting it a bit - wriggling it. I started to sweat, if he did that with Razz the whole bow topknot thingie would just disintegrate I assumed he was checking to see if there was some ear hair tucked into bow to help out with ear carriage. So I get Razz up on the table his bow is already askew and he never even touches his topknot. (but he did smile). We actually did lose the bow on the down n back

Oh no! Your story reminded me of watching one of the big shows on television last year. The judge was really getting into the topknots with his fingers, making a bit of a mess of the heads in general, and I wondered what the handlers thought of that. Seemed like all of the Yorkies did some extra shaking of their hair after getting down off of the table, away from the judge.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by topknot

Oh Mary, you are kididng!! You sound just like a baseball player. But I think it is cute. Hey, what ever it takes, I guess.

Just so novices know - the judge does not judge your bow. It is the dog the judge is evaluating.

Great analogy. What is a sport without some good 'ole superstitions.

[Debyork2]

Originally Posted by topknot

I have stated before how much easier it was back in the old days with topknots and bows. It was doable. Since returning, it has taken me 4 years to do a topknot. Bows - I can make them, but not as good as some others, so I end up buying them. I heard it was the s**tzu handlers that were showing yorkies that ended up making the topknots puffy and people liked it. Yes, it can hide flawes in a head or snout. IMO - I would rather go back to a simply pull up topknot. Done in seconds.

I'm hoping to start showing again soon and I KNOW it's going to take me a while to get used to the new topknots, as I don't have my new show prospect yet I am seriously considering letting my old (15 years) girls topknot grow back, just to practice on, I did try to practice on my granddaughters but their heads just aren't the right shape!! I think we do have the Shih Tzu exhibitors to blame...I was reading an article by English judge Andrew Brace and he recently judged Shih Tzu's in Thailand and was horrified by the top knots, said they were grotesque, he made the whole class leave the ring and come back with 'plain topknots'!! Bet the handlers were happy!

[rose_pinero]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Once my dog obtains it's first points, I don't change the bow. I use it until the dog Champions....a superstitious thing.

i don't re-use a bow (in the show ring; we use it when we got out though ) that we lost in.

same goes with my outfit...

[rose_pinero]

Originally Posted by Debyork2

I was reading an article by English judge Andrew Brace and he recently judged Shih Tzu's in Thailand and was horrified by the top knots, said they were grotesque, he made the whole class leave the ring and come back with 'plain topknots'!! Bet the handlers were happy!

oh! that happened here in the Philippines a few years ago. We had a Norwegian couple (Hubenthals) AB judges. the first class of tzus were all excused from the ring. the didn't like the fan style, but didn't mind the poof so much (as long as it was moderately sized).

[maggiesmom_2007]

I was reading The History of the Yorkshire Terrier and it has in there about bow color. It basically says that red is the preferred color but that it all depends on your dogs coloring and what looks best on your dog and enhances the colors. It also says that bright colors are the best to use.

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by topknot

Yes, I just abreviate tourquoise = turq. - that was a hot color. I even used it on some of my dogs. I forgot about the hot pink. I do have hot pink with white poka dot bows today. And a rich purple was also popular, but you have to be careful with this color as it can make the tan/gold look washed out. I like to use other colors and I think the judges like it too.

1st photo - Here is one of my girls when she was a teenager with a hot pink bow in.
2nd photo - Ch. Dot's Top Banana form back in the 80s - on the front cover of book. Here you can see how simple the bows were and no puff to topknot.

I miss the simple bows also! So easy and fast!! I thought the dogs looked great with these simple top knots. Personally, I dont think the poof looks that great on alot of dogs, especially when it starts to cover up the eyes. It doesnt add anything.

[Debyork2]

Originally Posted by yorkiekist

I miss the simple bows also! So easy and fast!! I thought the dogs looked great with these simple top knots. Personally, I dont think the poof looks that great on alot of dogs, especially when it starts to cover up the eyes. It doesnt add anything.

I agree-seeing some dogs in profile the 'poof' just looks a bit weird, especially when it sticks out over their eyes like a little awning! I guess we are all slaves to fashion...I wonder what would happen if you showed a Yorkie with the old fashioned, simple top knot?

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by Debyork2

I agree-seeing some dogs in profile the 'poof' just looks a bit weird, especially when it sticks out over their eyes like a little awning! I guess we are all slaves to fashion...I wonder what would happen if you showed a Yorkie with the old fashioned, simple top knot?

When I got back into showing, I didnt know about the "new" top knots. I showed Alex in the "old fashioned" bow at his first show. The judge commented on it. Said she hadnt seen these for a few years. But she did say that Alex would finish fast and he did! But he was shown there after with the "new" style.