Competition Rules

GENERAL RULES: CANADIAN GROOMING COMPETITIONS 2019-2020

These are suggested rules for Canadian Grooming Competitions.

Groom Team Sanctioned Classes
Show structure, divisions and awards

Structure:   
Multi-Division Competition – Open, Intermediate and Entry Divisions compete separately for the titles of first, second and third in their respective division classes.

Competition Level Division

OPEN: 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.

INTERMEDIATE:  Restricted to competitors who have not won 2 Best in Show or 2 Best All-Around groomer title from any division OR three first placements from the Intermediate division at a Groom Team sanctioned show.  Recommended for groomers with Intermediate styling skills or conformation show ring exhibitors (Have groomed and handled a breed to champion) and/or certifiers with Intermediate styling skills.

NOVICE: Restricted to beginner competitors who have not won 2 Best in Show or 2 Best All-Around groomer title from any division OR three first placements from the entry division at a Groom Team sanctioned show.  Recommended for groomers who have never competed and/or possess novice-grooming skills.  Handlers, conformation show exhibitors, certifiers and grooming instructors are not permitted to compete in the Novice Division. This does not apply to new handlers who have not handled a breed to championship.

Groom Team Canada Points

Class placement points (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) will only be awarded to Open Competitors. Groom Team Points are only awarded to Open Division for the following classes, Poodle, Terrier(hand stripped), Sporting and Purebred. Placements from each class will be placed in their own category (i.e.: Poodle points into the Poodle category). Shows that are not able to host at least one full class of Open division competitors (2 or more) will not be eligible for Groom Team Canada Points.  Mixed Breed will no longer count for Groom Team points.

Awards
All divisions are judged simultaneously. The placements (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) are awarded in each division. Only Open Division receives points.

Best In Show
Best in Show will be chosen from all First Place winners. Best in Show will not qualify for Groom Team Points.

Best All Around Groomer
Best All Around Groomer will be chosen from all 3 divisions as established by the placements. In order to be eligible for Best All Around Groomer award, the contestant must enter a minimum of three sanctioned classes.  Specialty classes are not included. Best All Around does not qualify for Groom Team Points.

1st place = 3 points
2nd place = 2 points
3rd place = 1 point

1st tie breaker = highest number of placements
2nd tie breaker = highest number of entries defeated
If an exact tie still exists, the prize will be divided.