MISSION
To standardize and promote fair and equitable placement of contestants in professional dog grooming competitions agreed upon and accepted by a panel of three or more IJA judges.

OATH
To listen to the opinion of each member of the association and to work together as a team.  Be willing to give your opinions, be willing to listen to all other member's opinions, and be willing to accept standards, policies and procedures based upon  a majority vote.

HISTORY OF IJA
Professional pet groomers and stylists have participated in dog grooming competition for over 25 years. Industry leaders pioneered the first events, establishing a model for competition judging similar to that used in AKC sanctioned dog shows. However, the criteria used to judge dog grooming competitions is based only in part on the criteria used to judge AKC events. Since 1884, individual breed clubs have set the standard, sanctioned and published a "blueprint" for each AKC breed. During an AKC-sanctioned confirmation show each dog is expertly examined by a single judge, placement is determined by comparing each dog to it's "blueprint" or "breed standard". The goal of the IJA is to incorporate qualifiable standards for judging dog grooming contests incorporating the international blue print (breed standard) sanctioned by each country's kennel club, including but not limited to the AKC, KC & FCI.

As competitive dog grooming became popular, the contest ring expanded with professional groomers and stylists, each class boosting a range of trims, sizes, and breeds. The growing number of contestants increased the stress on the lone judge in the selection process. As judges and contestants began to travel internationally, judging became even more complex. International breed standards were not understood and continued education for judges was limited. IJA recognized that utilizing the collective expertise of these judges would be a powerful educational tool that could fill the gap in upper level training.  It was this quest for continued education for contest judges, standardization and collective professional knowledge that motivated several dog grooming contest judges to break tradition and form the International Judges Association (IJA).

The IJA is an organization devoted to the standardization of judging dog grooming and styling contests. Established in 1998, the IJA is composed of a select group of international judges. Included in its ranks are judges from Canada, France,Germany, Japan, Netherlands, and the USA.

The IJA model utilizes a judging panel, as opposed to a single judge, for each contest class. While actively judging an IJA contest, the IJA judge is supported with compensation, promotion and education. During the contest, judges are required to converse and share their opinions. Placements are determined by general consensus.

This progressive association also changed the status quo of the contest environment. The IJA contest ring is stress free, when space allows the ring is tiered so bystanders can observe the contest in progress. Soft, relaxing music is played and contestants take a short break during the contest. Entries at IJA sanctioned events continue to grow and provide a unique competition ring.

IJA will continue to pursue its goals and improving standards for judging across the globe.