Competition Classes
Traditional Classes
Breed standard grooming — judged against accepted conformation profiles. Group winners compete in the Best in Show lineup.
Traditional - 🏆Best in Show
Purebred Scissor
Purebred dogs styled according to their breed profiles. Showcases precision scissoring technique and in-depth knowledge of breed standards.
Accepted Breeds
Kerry Blue Terrier
Bichon Frise
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Lagotto Romagnolo
Portuguese Water Dog
Irish Water Spaniel
Levels
Novice
Open
Master
Traditional - 🏆Best in Show
Hand Strip
Wire and coarse-coated breeds carded and hand-stripped to breed standards. Competitors may hand-strip or clip. Grooming must create a noticeable change in the dog's appearance.
Accepted Breeds
Jack Russell Terrier
Schnauzer
Wirehaired Dachshund
German Wirehaired Pointer
Affenpinscher
Examples only — other wire and coarse-coated breeds also accepted.
Levels
Novice
Open
Master
Traditional
Savvy Bitch
Welcomes a wide array of dog breeds and grooming styles. Evaluated against breed standards using scissoring, blending, deshedding, stripping, and carding techniques.
Accepted Breeds
Afghan Hound
Lowchen
Border Collie
Siberian Husky
Pomeranian
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chinese Crested Dog
*Example breeds — others also accepted.
Levels:
Beginner
Novice
Open
Traditional - 🏆 Best in Show
Poodle
Poodles groomed in a style adhering to the breed standard. Allowed trims include Lamb, German, Continental, Scandinavian, Dutch, English, Saddle Lion Puppy, Miami, and Town and Country.
*Moustaches and goatees accepted. Teddy bear muzzles not allowed.
Levels
Novice
Open
Master
Traditional - 🏆 Best in Show
Gundog
Purebred gundogs with straight, wavy, or flat coats groomed to breed standard. Techniques include carding, raking, hand stripping, and clipping. No visible pink patches or bald spots.
Accepted Breeds
Brittany Spaniel
American Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
Field Spaniel
Golden Retriever
Irish Setter
Sussex Spaniel
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Wire-coated gundogs should enter the Hand Strip class.
Levels:
Novice
Open
Master
Modern Styling Classes
Creative and freestyle grooming beyond breed standards. Group winners receive higher-value consolation prizes — not included in Best in Show.
Modern
Salon Freestyle
Purebred and mixed breed dogs of all sizes groomed into styles that deviate from breed standards. Pet clips, teddy styles, modified trims, or transform a dog into the appearance of another breed.
Group winner not included in Best in Show. Higher-value consolation prizes awarded.
Levels
Beginner
Novice
Open
Master
Modern
Asian Fusion
All sizes of purebred and mixed breed dogs groomed in an Asian-inspired trim — think stuffed toy or anime character. Common traits: shortened body, flared legs, exaggerated expression, round muzzle.
Pre-dyeing specific sections permitted. Group winner not in Best in Show.
Levels
Beginner
Novice
Open
Master
Modern
Creative Class
Colorfully themed dogs with vibrant props and backdrops. Groomers style to a theme or exhibit artistic flair through shapes and colors. 30-minute window to set up and finalize on the day.
One dog per entrant. Pet-friendly products only. Group winner not in Best in Show.
Levels
Beginner
Novice
Open
Master
Team Class
A unique two-person challenge — one dog, two groomers, zero words.
Team
Two Groomers, One Dog
A two-person team challenge. One overgrown dog, groomed entirely in silence — no verbal communication allowed. Miming and hand gestures only. Judged on transformation and precision.
2-hour time limit. No colouring. Entries are limited — register promptly.
Levels
Open (single level)
Model Dog Classes
Artificial mannequin grooming — perfect for refining technical skills without a live dog.
Model
Model Dog
Artificial canine mannequins showcasing technical skill. Four categories: Traditional (full-body, any ANKC breed), Modern (full-body, creative, asian fusion or freestyle), Model Dog Head, and Model Dog Junior (children welcome).
Must be fully complete and clearly labelled. Awards presented Saturday.
Levels
Open · Junior (free entry)
Found Your Class?
Entries open 8:00 AM on April 6, 2026. Secure your spot before sessions fill up.