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  • Calendar of events
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  • More
    • Home
    • Meet the Judges
    • Procedures and Policies
    • Rules
    • Additional Comp Info
    • Competition 2023
    • Calendar of events
    • Contestant Agreement

  • Home
  • Meet the Judges
  • Procedures and Policies
  • Rules
  • Additional Comp Info
  • Competition 2023
  • Calendar of events
  • Contestant Agreement

Rules for All Charm City Grooming Competition Categories

General Rules

  •  There must be sufficient coat to allow the groomer to make a distinct change in the dog’s appearance.
  • Contestants will have between 90-135 minutes, depending on size of dog, to complete each category. 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 Salon Freestyle and Creative.  
  • 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
  • Chalk products are permissible prior to and during the competition time frame, but are prohibited after time is called. 
  • Finishing sprays are permissible in order to tidy up after competition time frame ends however, reshaping with water or product application is prohibited. 
  • There is to be no coaching by anyone, at any time, during the competition.
  • There is to be no access to visual or written grooming instructions during the competition.
  • All photos and videos taken are the property of the Charm City Grooming Competition


Structure

  • Three-Tier, Multi-Division Competition
  • Open Division, Intermediate Division and Entry Division Compete separately for titles of first, second and third in their division classes.
  • 1st Place winners from each class in Open division will move on the Best in show


Competition Level Divisions

  • GroomTeam Sanctioned Class rules will apply to all levels with the following exception:
  • ONLY ENTRY division may use clippers, scissors and thinning shears when bodywork is typically hand stripped and/or carded for show ring in sporting class and wire coat class. Fifteen-Minute time reduction will be levied


Open Level 

  • 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 styling skills. ONLY OPEN division class winners are eligible to earn GroomTeam USA points

Intermediate Level

  • Restricted to competitors who have not won TWO Best in Show or Two Best All Around Groomer Titles, from intermediate division at any show. OR Three group placements from any tiered show, or three 1st placements from intermediate division at any show. Recommended for groomers with intermediate styling skills or conformation dog show exhibitors and/or certifiers and instructors with intermediate styling skills.


Entry Level

  • Restricted to competitors who have not won a Best in Show or Best All Around title from any division at any show, OR three 1st placements from entry division at any show, OR one group placement from any tiered show. Recommended for groomers who have never competed and/or possess novice-grooming skills. Conformation dog show exhibitors, owners, breeders, handlers who have finished a champion, and/or certifiers and grooming instructors are not permitted to compete in the Entry Division.


A minimum of two contestants must be entered and judged for a class 1st to be considered in level advancements protocols 


A contestant placing and defeating someone in a regular class, in open division, at any show is prohibited from Competition in intermediate or entry division


A contestant placing and defeating someone in a regular class, in intermediate division, at any show is prohibited from competing in entry division. 


All divisions are judged simultaneously. Three placements are 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. 


Class Rules and Times allotted

Poodle (All Size)

Poodle (All Size)

Poodle (All Size)

No Coat Coloring is permitted. 

Acceptable Breeds: All Sizes, natural colors of purebred poodles. 


  • 11" and under - 1:30 (one hour and Thirty minutes
  • Over 11" and up to and including 17" - 1:45 (One Hour and forty-five minutes)
  • Over 17" and up to and including 23" - 2:00 (Two Hours_
  • Over 23' - 2:15 (Two Hours and fifteen minutes)

Styling 

 

  • Feet must be shaved.
  • Feet may be shaved prior to competition start time. NO extra time will be permitted if not completed prior to class start.
  • Face must be shaved during competition time frame, not before.
  • Scissored face styles, such as Bichon or scissored type faces are prohibited.
  • Show topknots may be pre-banded, including hair extensions, prior to the start of the class.
  • Spray up products are prohibited prior to the start of the class.  

Sporting

Poodle (All Size)

Poodle (All Size)

No coat coloring is permitted

Acceptable breeds: Spaniels and Setters


Styling:

  • Sporting coats must be carded and/or hand stripped. Clippers are only permissible as presented in the conformation show ring. 


Times Allowed: 2:00 (Two hours)

Wire Coat

Poodle (All Size)

All Other Purebred

No coat coloring is permitted

Acceptable Breeds: Pure breeds with wire coat types that are hand stripped. 


Styling 

  • Must be groomed to breed profile as presented in the conformation show ring. 
  • Wire Coats must be hand stripped. Clippers are only permissible as presented in the conformation show ring 


Time Allowed: By Breed

  

 

  • Affinpincher: 1:45
  • Airedale: 2:15
  • Australian Terrier: 2:00
  • Border Terrier: 1:45
  • Brussels Griffon: 1:45
  • Cairn Terrier: 2:00
  • Mini Wire Dachsund: 1:45
  • Std Wire Dachsund: 2:00
  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier: 2:00
  • Giant Schnauzer: 2:15
  • Irish Terrier: 2:00
  • Lakeland Terrier: 2:00
  • Miniature Schnauzer: 2:00
  • Norfolk Terrier: 1:45
  • Norwich Terrier: 1:45
  • Scottish Terrier: 2:00
  • Sealyham Terrier: 2:00
  • Standard Schnauzer: 2:00
  • Welsh Terrier: 2:00
  • West Highland White Terrier: 2:00
  • Wire Fox Terrier: 2:00
     

All Other Purebred

Mixed Salon/Freestyle

All Other Purebred

No coat coloring is permitted


Styling 

  • Must be groomed to breed profile as presented in the conformation show ring


Time Allowed: By Breed


  • Bedlington Terrier: 2:00
  • Bichon Frise: 2:00
  • Black Russian Terrier: 2:15
  • Bouvier des Flandres:  2:15
  • Irish Water Spaniel:  2:00
  • Portuguese Water Dog: 2:00
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier:  2:00
  • Kerry Blue Terrier:  2:00 

Mixed Salon/Freestyle

Mixed Salon/Freestyle

Mixed Salon/Freestyle

Acceptable Breeds:

  •  Any dog of mixed parentage or not recognized by AKC or FCI,
  •  Any AKC or FCI purebred dog CLEARLY NOT groomed to breed profile style.

 

Examples: Shih Tzu in a puppy trim, Poodle in a Bedlington trim, Old English Sheepdog in a teddy bear trim 


  •  Asian fusion styles
  • Poodle face and feet may not be shaved.


 Time Frame:

  • 17″ and under – 1:45 (one hour and forty-five minutes)
  • Over 17″ – 2:00 (two hours)

 Product Application

  • Up to two bows are permitted
  • Colored hair extensions are permitted
  • Color enhancing is allowed on no more than 20% of the dog 

 Judging Considerations

  • Balance, symmetry, and style.
  • Ability of groomer to create the best possible profile according the dog’s body type, coat, and structure.
  • Scissoring: plush appearance without scissor marks.
  • Hand stripping and carding: smooth natural appearance and proper technique.
  • Clipper lines: clean and free of irritation.
  • Difficulty: amount of coat removed, pattern created or followed, coat type, texture, quality, and quantity.




Model Dog

Mixed Salon/Freestyle

Mixed Salon/Freestyle

Acceptable Breeds

Model Dog grooming can be either purebred or freestyle.


Handling of Model Dog

  • Model dog must be handled in a professional manner
  • Removing wig on head, body, legs, and tail to trim is not permitted
  • Removing tail to scissor tail is not permitted
  • Tail must be styles on dog
  • Model dog must have at least two legs on the grooming table at all times
  • Only minimal coloring may be applied during the allotted time frame.  Cannot cover more than 25% of the body.  


Judging Considerations

  • Technical application and finish
  • Profile and expression
  • Degree of difficulty of trim style
  • Professionalism


Time Frame: 2:00 (Two Hours)

Best First Timer

Creative Grooming

Creative Grooming

 All first time competitors will be evaluated at the end of each class.  Best First Timer will be chosen from the first time competitors from each of the Groups: Wire Coat Class, Salon Freestyle, Sporting, Poodle, Model Dog, and All Other Purebred. The finalists will be determined immediately following each class awards presentation. The group first time winners should remain in the arena with their dog, for evaluation by the Best First Timer judge(s). The winner will need to return (with dog) to Best in Show Awards Presentation at designated time and place. Those winners not present for final judging will not be eligible.

Creative Grooming

Creative Grooming

Creative Grooming

Basic Rules


  • This is a Pre-Groomed contest.  
  • An area will be set up specifically for Creative Styling competitors to prep before the contest, but electricity may be limited.  Bring extension cords.
  • Bathing and drying can be done at Shaggy Chic Pet Grooming and any other styling will be done at the World of Pets Expo in the designated area.  
  • All entries in this class must be completely groomed and finished before contest presentations start.
  • All products must be safe and non-toxic to the pet and stylist.  Glue must be water-soluble.
  • Placement of large and/or heavy objects on the pet is prohibited.


Acceptable Breeds

  • All purebred and mixed breed dogs are permitted.
  • NO live animals other than dogs are permitted for use as props are contest entries.


Judging Considerations

Technical Finish:

  • Precision and sharpness of the clipper lines
  • Quality of scissor finish
  • Overall decorative application
  • Overall color application, depth of color, separation of color and blending

Profile:

  • Concept easily recognizable
  • Intricacy balance
  • Originality of design
  • Original concept for previously executed design
  • Unique use of color, decorations, or applications

Difficulty:

  • Intricacy of design and color application
  • Color application 


Final Presentation

  • Not to exceed a 5’x5’ space.
  • Up to three people may assist in the presentation.
  • Competitors have a maximum of two minutes for their presentation.
  • Lights cannot be dimmed during the performance.
  • Smoke, confetti, streamers, or explosive items are strictly prohibited.
  • Competitors must title their designs. 
  • If desired, music may be used during the presentation.  Music used for presentation is the sole responsibility of the competitor.
  • DVD presentations are not permitted.

Charm City Grooming Competition

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