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Pure Breed & Free Style

Judging Considerations

Individual and IJA Groom Bowl Teams

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Preparation of Competition Dog

Competitors are evaluated on the preparation of the competition dog.

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Judging Considerations

  • Skin and Coat Care - Coat freshly shampooed and dried, brushed, combed and free of matts. Skin appears healthy, free of any skin irritations.

  • Hand stripped coat clean and dry, free of chalk and other products. Skin appears healthy, free of any skin irritations.

  • Ear Care - Ears cleaned and free of odor. Ear hair, if any, odor-free and not matted. The area around the ear canal opening can be trimmed. No other trimming permitted.

  • Foot Care - Hair between the pads, if applicable for the breed, can be trimmed. Toenails trimmed and filed with a well-maintained appearance. No other trimming permitted.

  • Sanitary Care - Trimmed around rectum, genital, and stomach, if applicable. No other trimming permitted.

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Skin and Coat Products

Competitors are evaluated on product knowledge and application. Product sprays, creams, and styling gels are limited to what is typically utilized in the conformation show ring and grooming salon. Products create texture, volume and hold the coat in place, and are used to straighten and prevent breaking coat during brushing and combing. Products must not rub off on the judge's hands during the technical evaluation. They may be applied prior to competition, during the competition, or during final presentations.

Go to: Ring Safety

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Judging Considerations - Products

Did the competitor use the product correctly for the coat type? Did the competitor enhance or hinder the texture of the coat to achieve the ultimate finish?

 

Score and Rank

Specialist - Product knowledge and application and knowledge of a Level 4

Expert - Product knowledge and application and knowledge of a Level 3.

Master - Product application and knowledge of a Level 2

Novice - Product application and finish of a Level 1.

 

Technical Finish

Competitors are evaluated on the overall application of technical skills and technical finish. Clippering, snap-on-combs, vacuum grooming systems, scissoring, thinning, handstripping, plucking, and carding techniques are permitted. Curling and flat irons are permitted. Singeing of the coat is not permitted. GOTO: IJA Products Safety Data Sheet​

  • Bathing Coat properly bathed.

  • Drying Coat properly dried.

  • Brushing Coat properly brushed.

  • Combing Coat properly combed.

  • Handstripping Coat properly handstripped, no bare spots, or skin irritations.

  • Plucking Coat even with no bare spots.

  • Carding Coat even with no bare spots or skins irritations.

  • Clippering Coat smooth without tracks. Clipper lines sharp and precise.

  • Thinning Coat blended on transition lines - bulk thinned to reduce volume.

  • Scissoring Coat scissored smooth with precise lines.

 

Judging Considerations

  • Did the competitor maintain proper body position during technical applications?

  • Did the competitor maintain the proper body position of the pet during technical applications?

  • Did the competitor use all tools properly?

  • Did the competitor choose the right tool for the job?

  • Did the competitor use proper technique with scissors, thinners, and clippers?

  • Did competitor apply all technical skills with safety?

 

Score and Rank

Specialist - Technique, application, and finish of a Level 4 Competitor.

Expert - Technique, application, and finish of a Level 3 Competitor.

Master - Technique, application, and finish of a Level 2 Competitor.

Novice - Technique, application, and finish of a Level 1 Competitor.

 

Expression and Profile - Pure Breed Classes

Competitors are evaluated on the expression and profile of the competition dogs when viewed from the front, rear, side, and top of the competition dog.  

 

Judging Considerations:

  • Did the competitor achieve proper expression for the pure breed?

  • Did the competitor achieve a proper profile for the pure breed?

  • Did the competitor achieve proper balance?

  • Did the competitor achieve symmetry?

  • Did the competitor correct structure faults to create proper expression for the breed?

 

Score and Rank

Specialist - Expression and profile achievements of a Level 4 Competitor.

Expert - Expression and profile achievements of a Level 3 Competitor.

Master - Expression and profile achievements of a Level 2 Competitor.

Novice - Expression and profile achievements of a Level 1 Competitor.

 

Expression and Profile - Free Style Classes

  • Competitors are evaluated on overall expression and profile created on the competition dog when viewed from the front, rear, side, and top of the competition dog.

  • Competitors are evaluated on the creativity of the design on a mixed breed or pure breed. Is it unique?

  • Competitors are evaluated on the ability to achieve a different pure breed expression and profile on another pure breed.

  • Competitors are evaluated on the ability to make a mixed breed look like a pure breed.

 

Judging Considerations:

  • Did the competitor achieve expression and profile best suited for the individual dog?

  • Did the competitor achieve the expression and profile of a pure breed on a mixed breed?

  • Did the competitor achieve a very unique trim style?

  • Did the competitor achieve a proper profile for the breed?

  • Did the competitor achieve balance?

  • Did the competitor achieve symmetry?

  • Did the competitor correct structure faults?

 

Score and Rank

Specialist - Expression and profile achievements of a Level 4 Competitor.

Expert - Expression and profile achievements of a Level 3 Competitor.

Master - Expression and profile achievements of a Level 2 Competitor.

Novice - Expression and profile achievements of a Level 1 Competitor.

 

Degree of Difficulty - Length of Coat

Competitors are evaluated on the length of a coat or the number of weeks since the last overall grooming to determine the degree of difficulty achieved.

 

  • 2 - 4 weeks of coat growth

  • 2 - 4 weeks of coat growth

  • 4 - 6 weeks of coat growth

  • 6 - 8 weeks of coat growth

  • 8 - 10 weeks of coat growth

  • 10 - 12 weeks of coat growth

  • Over 12 weeks of coat growth

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Degree of Difficulty - Pre Set Pattern

Competitors are evaluated on the percent of profiles created before and during competition. The competitor must make distinct changes in the dog's overall appearance when viewed from the front, side, rear, and top.

 

Judging Considerations

100% Expression and profile achieved during the competition time frame.

75%   Expression and profile achieved during the competition time frame.

50%   Overall expression and profile achieved during the time frame.

25%   Overall expression and profile achieved during the time frame.

 

Score and Rank

Specialist - 100% Expression and profile achieved during the competition time frame.

Expert - 75% Expression and profile achieved during the competition time frame.

Master - 50% Overall expression and profile achieved during the time frame.

Novice - 25% Overall expression and profile achieved during the time frame.

 

Degree of Difficulty -  Intricacy of Trim Style

Competitors are evaluated on the intricacy and difficulty of the trim style.

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Judging Considerations

  • Achieved a very intricate and difficult trim style design.

  • Achieved advanced and difficult trim style design.

  • Achieved moderate trim with moderate difficulty to achieve the trim style.

  • Achieved average trim style with average design.

 

Score and Rank

Specialist - Created design and achieved the degree of difficulty of a specialist.

Expert - Created design and achieved the degree of difficulty of an expert.

Master - Created design and achieved the degree of difficulty of a master.

Novice - Created design and achieved the degree of difficulty of a novice.

 

Presentation to the Judges

Competitors must prepare for the final presentation to the judges and audience. The table must be clean and free of hair and tools. Competitors must present competition dogs to judges for final evaluations.

 

Judging Considerations

  • Did the competitor clean the table and remove all tools?

  • Did the competitor organize the overall workspace to appear professional?

  • Did the competitor achieve a professional presentation?

  • Did the competitor present the competition dog properly?

  • Did the competitor stack dog properly?

  • Did the competitor prepare their dog for profile evaluations after the technical evaluation?

 

Score and Rank

Overall workstation and presentation of a specialist!

Overall workstation and presentation of an expert!

Overall workstation and presentation of a master!

Overall workstation and presentation of a novice!

 

Professionalism

Competitors are judged on professionalism from check-in time to final judging.

 

Judging Considerations

Image - Did the competitor present a picture-perfect image at all times with facial and body language showing a passion for the art of bathing, grooming, and styling man's best friend?

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Rapport - Did the competitor display excellent rapport with competition dogs and exhibit professional handling at all times to create a professionally poised competitor and competition dog?

 

Sportsmanship - Did competitor present a professional sportsmanship performance treating all competitors and competition dogs with kindness to promote a calm, composed competitor and competition dog.

 

Safety - Did the competitor present and promote safety for the professional and the competition dog when applying technical skills?

 

Score and Rank

Specialist in the art of styling man's best friend with professionalism.

Expert in the art of styling man's best friend with professionalism.

Master in the art of styling man's best friend with professionalism.

Novice in the art of styling man's best friend with professionalism.

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