What does "TOP" mean? - Page 1

I often look through all the classifieds on here just to see what is out there. Often times I come across the eye catcher "TOP". Sometimes it is "TOP" show dog, "TOP" working dog, "TOP" schutzhund prospect "TOP" producer and my personal favorite "TOP" whatever litter. It got me wonderding, another one of those things that makes you say "hmmmmmm?" I am beginning to think that "TOP" means something entirely different to me than it does to others.

I have some very nice dogs, and I recently had a very nice litter. At no point in time did it ever enter my mind to post my litter as "TOP" anything, other than maybe "TOP" poop producers. So, in my query to find the true definition of "TOP" I ask many of you, what is your definition of "TOP"? To me, the word top implies the highest point, the pinnicle, the tip.  When I look at the majority of these classifieds, I don't even recognize the name of the dog sometimes, or for that matter the name of the dam and sire that have produced this "TOP" litter.

I understand that posters want to advertise their dogs or litter in the most positive light they can. They want people to look at the ads and consider the dog(s) or pups to purchase. Is this use of "TOP" and other catchy phrases just marketing or is it just pure kennel blindness? Of course, no one will consider purchasing a pup that is advertised as low drive, doesn't even know what a ball is, can't focus, grips only with front right canine, gaits like a peekapoo on caffine, and is produced from the "BOTTOM" dam A and "BOTTOM" sire B, but can hold your sofa cushions and area rugs in place.

Okay, that ends my Tuesday morning rant.

LOL!  I'd say it's just a way to get people to read your ad as putting it out there that  you have "the best of the best"- whatever that may be in their eyes.  I agree most times I don't even see any famous well known dogs in the pedigree, other times they are untitled parents with little to no titled dogs in the first 3 generations but yet the owners think they have "top" somethings. lol  I'm sure Benji's owners thought he was a "top" something too but to my knowledge he wasn't being bred. lol 

When I personally see an ad like that with the word "top" my first reaction is the norm- ooh they must have something awesome I'd better look.  Then I get there and I'm like "where's the "top"? am I missing something?" lol  All it does is wastes someone who's seriously looking for a lead on a hot prospect's time and they are defeating their marketing purpose as someone who MIGHT be interested in their litter or dog is gonna by pass it as they will think this is not a "pet" or "they seller wants top dollar for a TOP dog". lol  Perhaps they will read this topic and think twice next time they are marketing their litter or dog for sale??

My Tuesday rant is over and now it's time for another cup of Joe!

It's a marketing thing.  Some of the ignorant trying to sell their cheap dogs may think because the sire was a "Ch", it's "top", but I think they're more worried about making it look good than really thinking they have real greatness, as in kennel blind.

Isn't "top" the same as "world class"? 

"TOP" loosly translated means "please buy this dog".  Just like POTENTIAL is a french word that means "Aint done SH*T"

everyone uses the term TOP to describe their dog, but in IMO very few are qualified to say what top is and isnt.  When i think of TOP sport i think of a dog that can compete and win at a national level.  Im talking about just the dog itself, drive temperment, drive, nerve etc..  so the tools are there and if the results dont follow its due to bad training or handing.

Now since the only people who truly know what it takes to get to the top are the ones who have been there.  how can someone who has not been there tell you what it takes to reach the top.  I drive to work every day and have been driving since i was 16, but simply driving a car doesnt give me the ensight or experience to say how a racing car should be built and driven in win.  This is the same as some one who hasnt competed in national schutzhund or conformation events suggesting they know exactly how to win.

So when someone says the dog is TOP sport, working prospect or show prospect you really should ask, is this the type of dog that you won w/?   Should wanna know if the person that is vouching for the superior quality of the dog has produced superior results themselves and know from experience, what it takes to get to the top.

one last note, in the age of the internet, there is no reason not to see video before you purchase a dog.  IMO you need to see at least 5 min of continues video.  not a bunch of still pictures.  this way you can ask the opinion of other people in your club or folks you trust  and if the seller has a problem showing you video,or making video of a specific exercise for you to see.  Go elswhere.

just my 2 cents

top

Tracking

Obedience

Protection

only top i know of

john

I agree 100%. I think it is all perception and of course marketing, but of course we all gotta look just incase it's the real thing.. 

Yeah yeah yeah just read the ads and you'll see "world class" this and "very promising" that.  The grandiose praise is so over-done.  Sadly enough, some people really believe their own inflated estimations of the quality of their dogs. 

On the other hand, I think buyers are used to seeing that kind of crap.  If you DON'T spew out a bunch of gushy verbal diahrea, you'll get the "so what's wrong with him?" line from prospective buyers.  Gawd I'm glad I'm not a breeder.

Here's my definition of TOP litter:  Too Overpriced Puppies

This discussion does beg the question... what is "top"?  Competed at the Nationals?  High placed in the Regionals?  Consistent high scores? 

Makes me wonder what criteria the pros use to find their latest and greatest "top dog".