Ooops, apologies if I annoyed you Helen - I thought everyone was just having a bit of a joke here.
Of course you should keep the topknot if you like it, same goes for anyone that likes eyelashes or whiskers. I hope it doesn't sound snobby when some of us say we prefer these things removed - we all just have different opinions on how we like our Cockers groomed - it's not like there's any rules.
I know some people like the topknot as they think it gives the dog a more natural scampy look. In Jimmy's case I had his removed for the opposite reason - his back was non-trim, really short and also dark red, whereas his topknot was long, bushy and bright blonde - people kept asking me if I shaved his back and dyed his hair !
They though I was deliberately coiffuring him to look like that. I had people ask what colour hair dye I used, how long it took to set etc etc - not the kind of comments I had in mind when I got myself a gundog
Sarah - yep he got compared to Rod Stewart ( and Limahl
and Peter Stringfellow
) on a daily basis. Another reason why it had to go.
I think your two look very smart with their new trims, and not too manicured at all.