Top Knot history....?? anyone?

[The A Team]

Can anyone give me a history lesson? When I was at my groomer a few weeks ago and I told her to cut Ava's top knot off, she said "good, they're not natural anyway". Well that got me to thinking about it. I understand how people started putting top knots in to hold a dog's hair out of their eyes.


.....but show dogs....who decided that two tiny top knots with paper and black bows on them are part of the standard? Is it that some big time judge decided one day that this is what they all have to look like? The more I think about it, the stranger it seems.


...just something I've been thinking about, that's all.

[pammy4501]

That is a good question Pat. I have been looking at the pictures of "historic Maltese" on FB. Most, including the early champions did not have top knots, but hair loose and long in a natural fashion. Now you have me wondering too!

[mysugarbears]

I googled and found this in the archived section of maltese only, which makes sense to me.
Many years ago, maltese were shown without the bows. This was most unfortunate, first and foremost as the dogs could not see well thru all that hair and also the judges had to" hunt" to examine their heads. Eventually, it became the custom to bring the hair up from the face and secure it with a small piece of wool or ribbon. People then began using rubber bands and the bows were put on after to hide the unsightly bands.

[The A Team]

Yes, I can understand having to pull the hair up out of their eyes to see and be seen. But it's funny how it ended up being two small top knots with papers, bands and bows. And the placement of the top knot just so.......it shouldn't count against a dog as long as the hair is pulled out of their eyes, right?


.....and don't get me started on the poodles......

[revakb2]

The double topknots is a mystery to me too. I know it is customary to have double top knots after the pups are a year old, but is it required to show? It really does seem pointless. I love the beautiful show coats, but I actually like a single topknot better. I would also like to know the answer. OK, show people what's the story.

[Cosy]

No, it's not required to show, but preferable. I personally think maltese look better in one bow with the topknot hair loose than in two wrapped in papers and bands with tiny bows.

[princessre]

I think Malts look more adorable with a single topknot, but more elegant with the doubles in the ring.

It does seem odd that the Maltese ended up with such a fancy hairdo for the show ring compared to other breeds!

[Katkoota]

that sure is an interesting question (got me wondering just now too lol)

[Katkoota]

Originally Posted by mysugarbears

I googled and found this in the archived section of maltese only, which makes sense to me.
Many years ago, maltese were shown without the bows. This was most unfortunate, first and foremost as the dogs could not see well thru all that hair and also the judges had to" hunt" to examine their heads. Eventually, it became the custom to bring the hair up from the face and secure it with a small piece of wool or ribbon. People then began using rubber bands and the bows were put on after to hide the unsightly bands.

thanks for that, Debbie! hmm now I wonder why didn't some other long haired breeds ended up without bows in shows (such as the havanese for example)! Interesting.

[The A Team]

Originally Posted by TheMalts&Me

thanks for that, Debbie! hmm now I wonder why didn't some other long haired breeds ended up without bows in shows (such as the havanese for example)! Interesting.

And I don't think Lhasa's even wear top knots....hummmm....I'll have to check with Lynn on that one though