Times: 8:00am to 6:00pm Daily

Our Ribbons Have Been Supplied By:

General Rules for competition see extra explanation for the Shop Challenge and Creative competitions.

All dogs entered into the competition must have a minimum of 6 weeks of growth and the grooming must show a definite change in the appearance of the dog. Aggressive dogs that cannot be judged will be disqualified.

All dogs should be mat free, brushed out, fleshly shampooed and dried. Ears should be plucked and cleaned, nails clipped, pads done and sanitary clip should be done prior to the competition. All other grooming should be done in the ring. No drying is permitted in the ring. Exceptions to the bathing can be made for the hand strip terriers. If chalking is used as a cleaning agent, all traces must be removed prior to the final judging.

All dogs will be presented for prejudging and judging free from decoration, bows or bandannas or polish.

The use of headphones, any audio or video equipment and cell phones or pagers is strictly prohibited. No coaching from inside or outside of the ring will be permitted.

Dogs will not be left unattended on the table or in the ring for any reason. If the competitor has to leave the ring or competition area, the ring steward should be asked for assistance. Dogs must be under the competitors control at all times and contestant is responsible for all clean up required by the dog’s urination or defecation.

Competitor is responsible for providing all of his or her own grooming equipment including tables and extension cords. All equipment should be removed from the ring immediately after the competition unless the competitor is entered into the class following.

Only dogs entered into the grooming competition are allowed on site and all dogs must be up to date on vaccinations.

Once fees are paid, the groomer has accepted and agreed to all the rules, conditions and guidelines in the show catalogue. Fees are non-refundable and the judge’s decisions are final.

Rough handling of the dogs is not tolerated and competitors violating this will be disqualified and asked to leave the ring. Any cuts, nicks, scrapes or clipper burn will mean disqualification.

Regular classes, intermediate and advanced

All forms of grooming are permitted: clipping, scissoring, thinning, stripping and carding including the use of clipper combs.

Terriers

This class will include any short legged and long legged terriers trimmed to breed standard. This class will also include Standard Schnauzers, Giant Schnauzers and Bouviers.

Time allotted for this class is: Under 17" - 1 hour 30 minutes

Over 17" - 2 hours

Hand stripped breeds - 2 hours

Sporting

This class will include any sporting breed that requires modification such as Springer spaniels, cockers, and setters. Dogs are to be groomed to breed standards.

Time allotted or this class is: 1 hour 30 minutes for clipping

2 hours for stripped and thinned

Poodle/Bichon

This class will include all sizes of poodles and bichons. All poodles are required to have clean face and feet.

Small non-sporting (includes toy & miniature poodles and bichons)

Time allotted for this class: Under 17" - 1 hour 45 minutes

Over 17" - 2 hours 15 minutes

Mixed/Miscellaneous & All Other Purebred Dogs

This class will include any mixed breed dog or pure-bred dog that is groomed in a pattern that is not specific to its breed. (Example: poodle groomed in a bichon pattern). This class is also open to pure-bred dogs that do not fall into the categories of the other classes. Those breeds may be groomed to breed standard.

Time allotted for this class is: 1 hour 45 minutes

Advanced classes: open to all competitors, regardless of experience. This is the only class that groom team points will be awarded on. Professional Handlers/Breeders and industrial leaders such as judges must compete in this class.

Intermediate classes: open to all groomers who have not yet won 3 first placements in a grooming competition or who have not won Best in Show or Best All Around groomer in a grooming competition.

Competitors cannot enter in multiple levels such as advanced and intermediate divisions at the same time.

Should there be less then 2 entries in a level, the levels may be combine, and only 3 ribbons will be awarded on the discretion of the judge and show committee.

Best in Show: is chosen from the 1^st place winners of the advanced and intermediate classes. No additional clipping, striping or thinning may be done before his competition. However, the dogs are allowed to have been rebathed and blown out and combed. There will be at lease 2 best in show ribbons. One for the advanced class and one for the intermediate. If classes had to be combined due to lack of entries, the intermediate ribbon will be withheld.

Best All Around Groomer: is awarded to the groomer with the most points at the end of the competition. There will be 2 ribbons for this class. One will be awarded to the best all around intermediate and to the best all around advanced groomer. If classes had to be combined or if there is a lack of entries, only one ribbon shall be awarded.

Points are tabulated as follows:

1^st place is 3 points

     2^nd place is 2 points

          3^rd place is 1 point.

In the event of a tie, the groomer with the most first placements shall be deemed the winner.

Creative Competition

All grooming and dying of dogs is to be done prior to the competition. Pre judging will take place prior to decoration.

Judges will look at the dog’s overall appearance, quality, uniformity and smoothness of clippering and scissoring. Degree of difficulty of the clip will be taken into consideration. The judge will look for balance and symmetry where it applies.

Contestants are given 20 minutes to prepare their dogs, set up props and costumes, etc.

Final judging will consider originality, style and flare as well as audience reactions and combine this with the pre judging findings to determine the winner. This class will not count towards "Best Groomed Dog", "Best All Around Groomer" or "groom Team Canada" Points. This class will have 3 placements.

Novice Competition

This class is open to all first timers to the competition ring or any competitor that has not won a first place in the novice division. Groomers cannot compete in this class if they fall into the rules of the advanced or intermediate. Any dog of any breed is welcome in this class. This class is being offered to encourage the Novice to compete at a level that will be comfortable and educational.

Judging will be determined be the suitability of the trim, placement of the pattern. Degree of difficulty will be noted and judging will also look at the general appearance, balance, symmetry, and smoothness of the finish. Clipper and scissor work will also be judged.

This class does not count towards "Best All Around Groomer" or "Best in Show"

Shop Challenge

This competition will be open to any grooming shop or grooming facility and the entry is under the company name. The dog may be groomed by one of more stylists who would be eligible for novice, intermediate or advanced competition, but advanced stylists may not have won more than 3 first place ribbons, or best in show.

All dogs in this class are entered pre-groomed, but not from any other class in this competition. Judging for this class will follow the same criteria as if the dog was groomed in the ring.