Rules for All Charm City Grooming Competition Categories
General Rules
General Rules
- Coat Requirement: There must be enough coat to allow the groomer to make a distinct change in the dog’s appearance.
- Time Frame: Contestants will have between 90 to 135 minutes to complete each category, depending on the size of the dog. All styling must occur within the competition time frame, except where specified below.
- Breed Standard: All dogs must be groomed according to their breed standard, except in the Salon Freestyle and Creative categories.
- Pre-Class Grooming:
- Sanitary areas and pads may be shaved prior to the start of the class.
- Nails may be trimmed, and ears may be cleaned prior to the start of the class.
- Chalk Products: Chalk products are allowed before and during the competition, but are prohibited after the time is called.
- Finishing Sprays: Finishing sprays may be used to tidy up after the competition time ends; however, reshaping with water or additional product application is not permitted.
- Coaching: No coaching is allowed by anyone, at any time, during the competition.
- Instructions: Contestants are not allowed access to visual or written grooming instructions during the competition.
- Photo/Video Rights: All photos and videos taken during the event are the property of the Charm City Grooming Competition.
Competition Structure
The Charm City Grooming Competition is a three-tier, multi-division event.
- Competitors are divided into three divisions: Open, Intermediate, and Entry.
- Each division competes separately for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place within their class.
Following each class’s awards presentation:
- The 1st place winners from the Open, Intermediate, and Entry divisions are judged against one another to determine the Best in Class.
- Best in Class winners from the following categories will advance to compete for Best in Show:
- Wire Coat
- Salon Freestyle
- Sporting
- Poodle
- Other Purebred
Competition Level Divisions
GroomTeam-sanctioned class rules will apply to all competition levels, with the following exception:
- Only the Entry Division is permitted to use clippers, scissors, and thinning shears on coat types that are typically hand-stripped or carded for the show ring in the Sporting and Wire Coat classes.
- A 15-minute time reduction will be applied for any Entry Division competitor choosing this method.
Open Division
- Open to all competitors.
- Recommended for groomers with advanced styling skills, previous successful competition experience, and professional conformation show exhibitors and/or certifiers with expert-level grooming abilities.
- Only Open Division class winners are eligible to earn GroomTeam USA points
Intermediate Division
- Restricted to competitors who have not earned:
- Three (3) Best in Show or Best All Around Groomer titles from the Intermediate Division at any show,
- OR four (4) Group Placements from any tiered show,
- OR six (6) 1st Place wins from the Intermediate Division at any show.
- Recommended for groomers with intermediate styling skills, conformation dog show exhibitors, certifiers, and grooming instructors with intermediate experience.
Entry Division
- Restricted to competitors who have not earned:
- A Best in Show or Best All Around Groomer title from any division at any show,
OR four (4) 1st Place wins from the Entry Division at any show, - OR one (1) Group Placement from any tiered show.
- A Best in Show or Best All Around Groomer title from any division at any show,
- Recommended for groomers who have never competed and/or have novice grooming skills.
- Not eligible: Conformation dog show exhibitors, owners, breeders, handlers who have finished a champion, as well as certifiers and grooming instructors
Division Advancement Rules
- A minimum of two contestants must be entered and judged in a class for a 1st Place win to count toward division advancement.
- A contestant who places and defeats another competitor in a regular Open Division class at any show is prohibited from competing in the Intermediate or Entry divisions.
- A contestant who places and defeats another competitor in a regular Intermediate Division class at any show is prohibited from competing in the Entry Division.
- All divisions are judged simultaneously, with three placements (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) awarded in each division.
Sanctioned Class Rules
Acceptable coat growth for all GT sanctioned classes:
It is the responsibility of the show promoter and /or their designated judges to determine adequate coat growth.
Acceptable Styling for all GT sanctioned classes:
- All styling must take place during the time frame of the competition except where noted below.
- All dogs must be groomed according to breed standard with the exception of Poodle as noted below.
- All dogs may have sanitary and pads shaved prior to class start.
- All dogs may have nails trimmed and ears cleaned prior to class start.
- Finishing sprays, are permissible in order to tidy up after competition time frame ends however, re-shaping with water or
product application is prohibited. - Chalk products are permissible prior to and during the competition time frame but are prohibited after time is called.
- Wire Coats must be hand stripped. Clippers are only permissible as presented in the conformation show ring.
- Sporting coats must be carded and/or hand stripped. Clippers are only permissible as presented in the conformation show ring.
- Other Purebreds must be styled as presented in the conformation show ring.
- Poodles can be styled as presented in the conformation show ring or pet trims, provided they respect the breed profile as
set forth by the standard.
