Classes & Competition Rules

Class Descriptions

Beginner

Timing as follows:

All Breeds, all sizes - 2:30 hours

A beginner should not have more than 2 years of experience this includes dog shows. The contestant can compete as a “Beginner” in several contests for 12 months even if they win a placement. In the second year, the contestant must enter the “Open” class even if they have not been successful in winning a place. In this category, all breeds and techniques can be used except the colour. The winner of this class is not eligible for the Best in Show award.

Intermediate Beginner

Timing as follows:

All Breeds, all sizes - 2:30 hours

Intermediate Beginner is for all contestants with more than 2 years of experience. The contestant can compete as “Intermediate Beginner” in several contests for 12 months even if they win a placement. In the second year, the contestant must enter the “Open” class even if they have not been successful in winning a placement. All breeds and techniques are used in this category except the use of colour.  The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Experienced Beginner

Timing as follows:

All Breeds, all sizes - 2:30 hours

A Experienced Beginner should have more than 5 years of experience. The contestant can compete as a “Experienced Beginner” in several contests for 12 months, even if they win a placement. In the second year, the contestant must enter the “Open” class even if they have not been successful in winning a place. All breeds and techniques can be used in this category except the colour.  The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Workshop

Timings are as follows:

Small and Medium - 1:30 hours

Large - 2:00 hours

Sometimes this class is referred to as Workshop. Contestants may enter with any breed that is groomed commercially. Breeds that are usually hand stripped can be clipped or scissored; long hair breeds can be clipped or scissored. Poodles are accepted if groomed in a non-standard poodle trim such as Bedlington or Kerry blue. Colouring is not allowed. In this category, all breeds and techniques are used except the colour. The winner of this class is not eligible for Best in Show.

Gundog

Timing as follows: All breeds, all sizes - 2:30 hours

Stripping knives are allowed. The dog needs to be groomed according to the breed standard. Coloured chalk powder/block/spray and cream are allowed.

It is not allowed to use clippers except Cockers and Setters chest and ears.

All Other Pure Breeds (Was Pure Breed Scissor)

Timings are as follows:

Small & Medium - 2:00 hours

Large - 2:30 hours

This is a class for Pure Breed dogs that cannot enter in to our other classes and in a breed standard trim using all alowed techniques for that breed. Allowed techniques are classed as what is permissible if the dog is being entered into a Kennel Club conformation show. All other pure-breed dogs include but are not limited to Kerry Blues, Wheatens, Afgan Hounds, Bedlingtons, Lowchens, Old English. Colouring is not allowed.

Hand Strip

Timings are as follows:

Small and Medium sizes - 2:30 hours

Large sizes - 3:00 hours

Stripping knives are allowed. The dog needs to be groomed according to the breed standard. Coloured chalk powder/block/spray and cream are allowed.

You are not allowed to use clippers except:

Scottish Terrier – chest, head and ears.

West Highland Terrier - chest and ears.

Schnauzer - chest, head, inside of back legs and ears.

Poodle

Timings are as follows:

Toy & Miniature (Up to 45 cm) - 2:00 hours

Standard (Over 45 cm) - 2:30 hours

Plus 15 minutes to spray up the top knot.

The dog should be washed and fluff-dried. Clipper comb attachments are not permitted. Muzzle and feet should be shaven before the start of the competition and be groomed in a style recognised in the breed standard. Poodles with top knots may ask for help from an outsider to hold the dog. Colouring is not allowed.

Salon Creative

Time Given 2:30 hrs

Salon Creative is a dog that is groomed as it normally would be in our salons but with an added flourish of colour, sparkle, embellishments, carving or stencilling. Plus 15 minutes to spray up a top knot if, for example, you have a poodle in a continental trim. This class is not eligible for Best in Show.

Asian Freestyle

Time Given - 2:00 hours

This class is for those with a creative flair to exhibit their skills at Asian styling. Add ons such as gems, collars & other accessories are acceptable to enhance but not overshadow the styling. Amongst other things, the judges will be looking at the finish so must be able to check through the dog properly. Any colour must be applied before the competition. This class is not eligible for Best in Show

Diamond in the Rough

Time Given - 2:00 hrs

This is for those of you that can transform a dog that doesn’t have the best confirmation or structure. Maybe an undershot jaw or Queen Anne legs into a prince or princess. The description of the phrase will give you a good idea of what we are looking for! Diamond in the Rough: The phrase is metaphorical and relates to the fact that naturally occurring diamonds are quite ordinary at first glance, and that their true beauty as jewels is only realised through the cutting and polishing process. The winner of this class is not eligible for the Best in Show award.

Veteran

Time Given - 2:00 hrs

This is open to any contestant that has groomed for more than 10 years but never competed in any grooming competition and would like to dip their toe in the water. The winner of this class is not eligible for Best in Show.

Retro

Time Given - 2:30 hrs

This is our new class where we are inviting all levels of groomers to produce a Retro / Vintage trim on their dog. This could be an old Town & Country on a Poodle. The winner of this class is not eligible for the Best in Show award.

Model Dog

Competitors are requested to bring a model dog that has already been completed. There are two categories in this class. Breed/Asian Style & Creative/As mad as you like! These will be placed on display to be assessed and placements made by Graciana Foo. All submissions must not have been used in any other competitions. The winner of this class is not eligible for the Best in Show award.

Doubles

Timing up to 1:30 hours

This class is for two groomers on one dog! You and a friend can team up to produce something spectacular. In this class, all breeds and techniques are used except the colour. The winner of this class is not eligible for Best in Show.

Clipper Only

Timing up to 2:00 hours

This class is as it says above clipper only! No scissors! Any breed can be used. Combs, brushes & products are allowed but no colour. The winner is not eligible for Best in Show.

RULES & IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

ENTRIES CLOSE AT 12am MONDAY, 5th MAY 2024. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ENTER THE CORRECT CLASS. THERE IS A £10 ADMINISTRATION FEE FOR ANY CLASS CHANGES.

Classes

There will be three placements per class in each category. Each category will have at least two judges. We follow the class category entry as laid down by the Golden Scissor Awards. GSAs are available for those entering Open and Champion Classes. Competitors are eligible to stay in the Open category until they have won 3 (three) Golden Scissor Awards in that class. Once they have achieved this they must move up to the Champion category for that class. Once in the Champion category, the competitor will be awarded Supreme Champion for that class and be invited to join the judge education pathway for the Golden Scissors Awards.

Equipment

Contestants must bring their own tools. No tools or electricity will be provided.

Dogs

There will be a 10-minute comfort break for all dogs after one hour has elapsed in the morning and afternoon sessions.

Contestants must provide their own dog(s).

All dogs except those entering hand-stripped classes must be washed.

Ears and nails should be plucked and/or trimmed before the competition.

It is permitted for the dog’s underbelly, genitals and hindquarters to be previously groomed for reasons of hygiene, according to the breed standard.

The dog needs to have at least 8 weeks of coat growth or poodles minimum 5 cm coat length.

Any evident line or pattern should not be visible.

The dog’s coat must be long enough to allow the groomer to make a difference in its appearance.

Contestants competing with dogs showing evident lines and/or without enough coat to make a difference in their appearance may be marked down or disqualified

All grooming techniques are allowed, as long as the chosen technique suits the type of the dog’s coat.

A 'Small' dog must measure 35cm or less at the withers, a 'Medium' dog must measure 35cm to 45cm at the withers & a 'Large' dog is any above 45cm at the withers. Withers are as indicated in the Kennel Club Document SR12 v8 June 2018, Training Board Points of the Dog Assessment.

Contestants

Contestants must be in the ring 30 minutes prior to the start of the competition for pre-judging with their own dog and tools.

Contestants are NOT allowed to talk to other contestants and/or the audience during the contest. Anyone not following this rule will, on the first occasion, be warned by a steward or judge. On the second occasion, they will be disqualified.

Contestants are NOT allowed to use a mobile phone and/or any electronic device during the competition. Anyone not following this rule will, on the first occasion, be warned by a steward or judge. On the second occasion, they will be disqualified.

Any helpers must pay for admission if required to do so by show management.

The use of chalk is allowed however no trace of it should remain on the judge's hand after judgement has taken place.

Any aggressive behaviour including foul language used towards the judges, event staff or spectators will lead to disqualification.

Any competitor handling a dog in a rough and/or unsafe manner will be advised of their conduct. A second occasion of being advised will lead to disqualification.

If the competitor makes clipper burns, nicks or cuts they can not be placed as a winner.

Disqualifications will be executed by the show manager.

Contestants should remove all hair, equipment and products from the grooming table as well as moving all items on the floor under the table, to allow the judges an easy approach to the tables for the judgment.

A comb should be placed on the table for the judge to use during judging.

Contestants may comb their dogs before and after the judging panel has evaluated their dogs.

Contestants should stack his/her dog to present to the judge. Dogs not in judgment should not be kept stacked.

Any complaint must be in writing and presented to show manager before the end of the event.