Please read through the general information and rules before registering your entries. 

Not all grooming competitions have the same rules, as such, we ask you have a clear understanding of our rules.

 

General Information

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• Dogs age, condition, conformation, temperament and health should be considered when selecting your competition dog.

• All dogs should have a minimum of 6 weeks coat growth with no clipping, shaping, or scissoring.

• Hygiene, pads, and nails should be done prior to the competition and should enter the ring clean and knot free.

• Any issues with dogs i.e. missing coat can be discussed with the judge during prejudging.

• Contestants are to supply their own equipment. 

• All equipment should be cordless or have current test and tagging.  Minimal power is supplied to the ring.

• Dogs are not to be left unattended at any time, under any circumstances, when on the grooming table. Such actions will result in disqualification.

• Dogs must be crated with water available and properly cared for with food and regular toilet breaks.

• Dogs must be on lead when not crated or being groomed.

• Contestants will be allocated a mandatory break 1hr into each class of the competition as to toilet and rest your dog.

• Contestants are not permitted to talk about the competition or grooms during any time of the break, those found not adhering this rule will be disqualified. 

• Contestants are permitted to ask a steward to hold their dog during the break time to enable the groom to be assessed from a distance after movement.

• Contestants are not permitted to talk to other competitors or members of the audience whilst competing. Doing so will result in disqualification.

• Contestants are not permitted to use electronic devices or mobile phones whilst in the ring during the competition.

• Contestants requiring assistance during the competition may ask a judge or steward.

• Contestants must handle dogs humanely. Rough handling or ANY aggressive behaviour towards dogs, competitors, or judges will not be tolerated.  Contestants found guilty of this will be immediately disqualified and banned.

• Contestants must not be employed or be trained by the judge within six months prior to the competition.

• Contestants will be judged on cleanliness including ears, coat growth and condition, clipping of hygiene, pads, and nails. Technique and tools used during the competition and suitability to the breed or coat. The finished product, balance, angulation, symmetry, and difficulty of the groom.

• Contestants must wear enclosed shoes.

• Contestants grooming apparel may have personal sponsorship or business logos as may table cloths.

• Contestants and tools must be in the ring 30 minutes prior to the beginning of your class.

• At the completion of grooming all hair and tools must be removed from the table.  A table cloth may be placed under your dog and a comb placed on the table for the judge. Your dog must be stacked for the judge and rested after judging.

• All judges decisions are final.  Any grievances will incur a fee of $250 to lodge and must be in writing.

• ANY type of bullying, hate speech, harassment, or slander inside or outside the ring or in any other format i.e. social media will not be tolerated. If this occurs a complaint must be made in writing.  If a contestant is found guilty they may be stripped of awards and banned from entering future Groom-A-Rama competitions. Any associates that are not contestants will be banned from entering future Groom-A-Rama competitions.

 

Purebred scissor

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Includes all purebred dogs as recognised by the ANKC that require a hand-scissor style. Dogs must be groomed to fit breed profile as seen in the conformation ring.

Novice and Open classes may use clippers. Masters must only use scissors with the exception of eye area, groin, and anus.

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Permitted – Sprays, styling gels, and chalk are limited to that which is used within the conformation ring and can be used prior or during the competition only. The judge should still be able to comb through the coat and should not have chalk on their hands during final judging if product is used.

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Not permitted – Decorative objects such as bows, beads or glitter with the exception for those permitted in the conformation ring.  Colouring with the exception to enhance the natural colour of the dog.​

 

Salon Styling

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Grooms that relate to everyday grooming. A well-balanced trim, teddy trims with column legs, no flares. Groomers can transfer a breed into another breed.

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Permitted – Holding sprays, chalk to enhance natural colour. The judge should still be able to comb through the coat and should not have chalk on theirs hands during final judging if product is used. Clipping, comb attachments, scissoring, hand stripping all acceptable techniques.

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Not permitted – Decorative objects such as bows, beads or glitter. Colouring with the exception to enhance the natural coat colour. Flares or carving is to be reserved for Asian Styling.

 

Creative

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Emphasising artistic grooming with sculpting and colour, with a focus on technical precision, creative design, and overall presentation. Open to all levels of groomers and both mixed or purebred dogs. Permanent and semi-permanent colour must be done prior to the competition, and dogs should be prepped as per the general rules. 4 to 6 weeks coat growth is permitted.

 

All competitors will have 10 minutes at the end of the class to prepare props and costumes. No styling or decorations are to be added to the dog during this time. All entrants must have an A4 printed sign with their design's name.

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Permitted - ONLY pet safe products may be used. Semi and Permanent colours and lightners, blow pens, glitter glue, nail polish, hair chalk, temporary colour, airbrush,  feathers or hair extensions, accessories, decorations.

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Not Permitted - NON pet safe or toxic products, any large or heavy items placed on the dog, any decoration or accessories that impares the dogs sight and movement movement. 

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Time Allocation

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Under 10 inches (25cm) 1hr 45min

Under 16 inches (40cm) 2hr

16 inches and over 2hr 15min

15 mins extra for complex designs

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Terrier

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Breed profile grooming to breed standard. Clipping permitted in Novice and Open only. Masters must hand strip with the exception of chest, head, ears, inside back legs and hygiene areas on combination breeds. Dogs must be purebred as recognised by the ANKC.

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Permitted – Holding sprays, powders, creams and coloured chalk as permitted for the conformation ring. The judge should still be able to comb through the coat and not have chalk on their hands during final judging. Product used to achieve breed standard heads will be taken into consideration at judging.

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Not permitted – Decorative objects such as bows, beads or glitter with the exception for those permitted in the conformation ring.  Colouring with the exception to enhance the natural colour of the dog.

 

Half 'n' Half

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Teams of two groomers compete together on the one dog within the allocated time.  Half the dog can be groomed by each groomer or tag your team mate to finish the groom.  The choice is yours how you complete the groom. Open to mixed breeds and purebred.

All groomers must spend equal time grooming.

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Permitted – Anything goes. The judge should still be able to comb through the coat and not have chalk on their hands during final judging. Product used to achieve breed standard heads or intricate creative work will be taken into consideration at judging.

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Retro Styling

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Recreate classic styles that were once popular in the grooming world. These vintage-inspired grooms celebrate traditional techniques, beautiful scissoring skills, and the iconic looks that helped shape the industry.

 

Permitted - Subtle colouring is permitted if it does not detract from the overall quality and presentation of the groom.

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Not Permitted - Decorative objects such as bows, beads or glitter.

 

Gundog

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Breed profile grooming to breed standard. Clipping permitted in Novice and Open only. Masters must hand stripped with the following exceptions of thinning scissors to only to blend the neck, ears, rear/tail.  Only chest and ears are permitted to be clipped.

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Permitted – Holding sprays, powders, creams and coloured chalk as permitted for the conformation ring. The judge should still be able to comb through the coat and not have chalk on their hands during final judging. Product used to achieve breed standard heads will be taken into consideration at judging.

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Not permitted – Decorative objects such as bows, beads or glitter with the exception for those permitted in the conformation ring.  Colouring with the exception to enhance the natural colour of the dog.

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Asian Fusion Styling

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Dogs are to be groomed in any Asian style, spiral patterns, carving, flared legs, mushroom heads, donut muzzles, koala ears, cone heads, blushed cheeks, top knots, and curled ears etc.

Clothes, bling and accessories are encouraged however must not distract from the groom. Colouring may be present but not extensive.

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Model Dog Live

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Model dogs can be groomed in any manner the competitor wishes within time allocation. Models  may be pre brushed.

Finished Model

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Pre groomed Model Dogs

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Model Dogs may be groomed in any manner.  Entries are open to models that have not been used in competition in the last twelve months.

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Traditional model dog refers to models clipped to a recognised breed standard.

Creative model dog refers to any creative or artistic styled model.

 

Poodle

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Purebred Poodles of recognised ANKC breeds in a traditional breed standard trim.

Feet, face, and tail can be clipped before the competition.

Banding can be done prior to entering the competition ring.

Spray up time may be used at any time during the competition.

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Permitted - Holding sprays, and styling products as permitted for the conformation ring. The judge should still be able to comb through the coat and not have chalk on their hands during final judging. Product used to achieve spray ups will be taken into consideration at judging.

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Not permitted – Decorative objects such as bows, beads or glitter with the exception for those permitted in the conformation ring.  Colouring with the exception to enhance the natural colour of the dog.

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Time Allocation

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Under 10 inches (25cm) 1hr 45min

Under 16 inches (40cm) 2hr

16 inches and over 2hr 15min

15 mins extra for spray up

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