Rules

Class categories by coat type in creative styling opens an arena for competitors to implement the same technical skills. 

 

For example, the long and flowing coat’s primary skill is braiding and beading in creative classes. The primary skill for short to medium smooth coated breeds is clipping and carving to design beautiful works of art using clipping techniques. For curly coats, the scissoring and sculpturing techniques are considered primary skills. 

 

Creative Styling Classes - Breed Standard Referenced for Trim Style 

Competitors strive to create beautiful creative trim styles on pure breeds and mixed breeds and work their magic to create unique expressions and profiles on other pure breeds in creative styling classes. Judges evaluate competitors’ ability to achieve overall balance and symmetry if the trim is the right choice for the dog and coat type. 

 

Primary & Secondary Technical Skills: Creative Classes

Primary technical skills are proper techniques required to promote healthy skin and coat when using hair color and decorative objects to achieve creative designs. 

 

Primary and secondary skills are braiding, beading, clipping, carving, scissoring and sculpting, coloring and decorating, and hand plucking and hand stripping.

 

• Products - Products are allowed on the coat to create texture and volume and to hold the hair in place. 

• Coat Coloring Permitted Creative Classes - Coloring is permitted to enhance creative trims. 

• Decorative Coat Art Permitted - Hair extensions and decorative coat art such as bows, beads, and glitter are allowed to enhance creative trims.

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CLASS RULES: BRAIDING AND BEADING

Class for the long and flowing drop coat types with color, decorative objects with different and unique braiding designs. Create an elegant, beautiful design for a formal affair with the long and flowing coat types. 

 

Coat Types and Breeds 

Pure breeds and mixed breeds with long and flowing coat types best for this class. 

Examples: Shih Tzu, Maltese, Lhasa Apso, Cocker Spaniel

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Bring on the color, please! 

Backdrops, costumes permitted and encouraged.

 

Option 1: Salon

Class for salon type creative designs suitable for going home with a pet family and returning within eight weeks for the next styling session. Great for all double-coated pure breeds and mixed breeds trimmed in cute creative trim styles. Over-colored, over-styled, extreme lengths and decorative objects not suitable for a salon creative trim style not permitted. 

 

Option 2:  Black Tie Event

Class for the long and flowing drop coat types for a formal affair with color, decorative objects with different and unique braiding designs. 

 

Option 3: Extreme

Class for long and flowing coat types to curly coat types to create intricate braids and beaded designs. Intense color, extreme decorative objects, and unique braiding designs are required. Remember, the longer the coat - the more color, braids, and beads, the better! 

 

JUDGING CONSIDERATIONS FOR BRAIDING AND BEADING

1. Overall Trim Style 

2. Expression and profile enhance the design.

3. Overall, clipper and scissor finish on trim style enhance the design. 

 

Braiding, Banding, and Beading Design

1. Braiding, banding, and beading skills of design

2. Degree of the intricacy of the design

3. Balance and symmetry of design

4. Uniqueness of design

 

Clipped and Scissored Design

1. Clipper skills of design

2. Scissoring skills of design

3. Degree of the intricacy of the design

4. Balance and symmetry of design

5. Uniqueness of design

 

Skin and Coat Decorative Art Design 

1. Decorative skills of skins and coat art design

2. Intricacy of design

3. Balance and symmetry of design

4. Uniqueness of design

 

Color Design

1. Coloring skills of skin and coat designs

2. Brilliance and Clarity of color

3. The intricacy of the color patterns

4. The uniqueness of color design

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*Safety for the Pet and the Professional 

  

CLASS RULES: CLIPPING AND CARVING

Class for intricate coat designs and patterns created with clippers on pure breeds and mixed breeds with shorter coat types requiring very little scissor work to achieve the plan. This class is all about the amount and quality of the clipper work! 

 

Coat Types and Breeds

Short, Smooth, Medium Smooth Coat Types

Examples: Labrador Retriever 

 

Bring on the Color and the Intricate Skin & Coat Decorative Art! 

Backdrops, costumes permitted and encouraged.

 

Option 1 - Salon

Trims with designs geared for pet salon services. The amount of time required must be within a time frame to charge for additional services. Over-decorated designs not suitable for creative salon trims are not allowed.

 

Option 2: Formal Affair

Class for intricate coat designs and patterns created with clippers on pure breeds and mixed breeds with shorter coat types requiring very little scissor work to finalize the design. 

 

Option 3: Extreme

Class for THE MOST  intricate and extreme clipped coat patterns, with color and decorative objects on Short, Smooth, Medium Smooth Coat Types. 

 

JUDGING CONSIDERATIONS - ALL SHORT AND SMOOTH COATED CLIPPED DESIGNS

 

Overall Clippered Trim Style 

1. Clipper skills of design

2. Degree of the intricacy of the design

3. Balance and symmetry of design

4. Uniqueness of design

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Skin and Coat Decorative Art Design 

1. Decorative skills of skins and coat art design

2. Intricacy of design

3. Balance and symmetry of design

4. Uniqueness of design

 

Color Design

1. Coloring skills of skin and coat designs

2. Brilliance and Clarity of color

3. The intricacy of the color patterns

4. The uniqueness of color design

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*Safety for the Pet and the Professional 

 

CLASS RULES:  SCISSORING AND SCULPTING

Class for intricate clipper work and precise scissoring patterns placed on the body on curly and other double-coated pure breeds and mixed breeds. Accent coloring is applied to enhance the design but not to be the focal point. Decorative objects are added to the skin and coat to create an elegant design and overall profile on the canine perfect for attending a formal affair.

 

Coat Types and Breeds

Pure breeds or mixed breeds with long enough coats to create sculptured designs are allowed. 

Curly, Rough, Rough Nordic, Medium Long, and Curly Coat Types 

 

Examples

Poodles, Bichons, Bedlingtons, Portuguese Water Dogs, Collies, Akitas, Pomeranians

 

Rules

• Color Permitted

• Coat and Skin Decorative Art Permitted

• Costumes Permitted

• Backdrop permitted and encouraged.

 

Option 1: Salon

Class for salon type creative designs suitable for going home with a pet family and returning in 8 weeks or less for the next styling session. Great for all double-coated pure breeds and mixed breeds trimmed in a unique salon creative trim style.

  

Over styled trims with extreme coat lengths with heavily decorative objects not suitable for a salon creative trim style penalized. 

 

Option 2: Black Tie Event

Class for intricate clipper work and precise scissored patterns typically placed on curly coat types. Small, decorative objects are added to the skin and coat to create an elegant, symmetrical, well-balanced design on the canine perfect for the overall trim style and a formal affair. No, color, please!  Similar to runway competitions. 

Backdrops allowed. 

 

Option 3: Extreme

Class for intricate and extreme designs with decorative skin and coat art on Curly Coat Types. The sky's the limit, so put your creative mind in it to win it! Color, Color, and More Color until you have to Stop! This competition wants it all!

 

Backdrops, costumes permitted and encouraged.

 

JUDGING CONSIDERATIONS SCISSORING AND SCULPTING

Overall Trim Style 

Expression and silhouette enhance the intricate creative design.

Overall, clipper and scissor finish complement the design.

 

Clipped and Scissored Design

1. Clipper skills of design

2. Scissoring skills of design

3. Degree of the intricacy of the design

4. Balance and symmetry of design

5. Uniqueness of design

 

Skin and Coat Decorative Art Design 

1. Decorative skills of skins and coat art design

2. Intricacy of design

3. Balance and symmetry of design

4. Uniqueness of design

 

Color Design

1. Coloring skills of skin and coat designs

2. Brilliance and clarity of color 

3. The intricacy of the color patterns

4. The uniqueness of color design

 

*Safety for the Pet and the Professional 

 

COMPETITION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES CREATIVE TRIMS

Qualification of the Competition Dog

It is the responsibility of competitors to determine if a dog is healthy enough.

 

• Must be competition dog age

• Mature enough but young enough to enjoy the competition.

• The suggested age for competition dogs approximately (1) one year to (10) ten years.

• Must show no signs of obvious pregnancy or nursing.

• Must appear healthy, free of infectious diseases, and parasites and be physically able to stand on the grooming table for competition time frame and judging.

 

Entry Confirmation - Creative Classes

Must be confirmed the dog entered in the correct class.

 

Pre-Judge Documentation

1. The judging panel documents the following about competition dogs.

2. Amount of coat growth.

3. Amount of pre-set coat growth pattern

4. Missing coat, ear infection, etc 

5. Amount of color.

 

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 experience of a Level 2

Novice - Product application and finish of a Level 1 

 

Technical Finish

Competitors evaluated on the application of technical skills and technical finish. Clipping, snap-on-combs, vacuum grooming systems, scissoring, thinning, hand stripping, plucking, and carding techniques are permitted. Curling and flat irons are allowed. Singeing of the coat is not allowed. Go to: IJA Technical Skills Safety Data Sheet 

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• Bathing Coat adequately bathed.

• Drying Coat dried correctly.

• Brushing Coat brushed correctly.

• Combing Coat combed correctly.

• Hand Stripping Coat properly hand stripped no bare spots or skin irritations. 

• Plucking Coat even with no bare spots.

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

• Clipping Coat is 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 the 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

 

DESIGN

#1 Type of Design 

Competitors evaluated on the type of design. Did the competitor achieve: 

• Realistic Profile 

• Cartoon or Fantasy Profile 

• Abstract 

• Theme and Collage 

 

Judging Considerations 

• The competitor captured the correct profile of a real-life animal or character. 

• The competitor captured the correct expression. 

• The competitor achieved the best design for the coat type. 

• Did the competitor achieve an overall theme for the collage? 

• Did the competitor achieve a story with the collage? 

• Are all images appropriate for the theme?   

• The competitor achieved a well-balanced design, if applicable. 

• The competitor achieved symmetry, if applicable. 

 

Score and Ranking 

Specialist in creative design. 

Expert in creative design. 

Master in creative design. 

Novice in creative design. 

 

#2 Originality of Design 

Competitors evaluated on originality and creativity of design. Did competitors use the dog’s components to create unique and intricate designs such as using ears to create the illusion of wings on an Owl? 

 

Judging Considerations

• Design used previously

• Design original and created for the first time by a competitor

• Design is unique and very different

 

Score and Ranking 

Specialist in creating new designs. 

Expert in creating new designs. 

Master in creating new designs. 

Novice in creating new designs. 

 

#3 Difficulty of Design - Percent completed in the ring. 

Competitors evaluated on length of coat presented and the amount of hair removed during competition. Designs may be pre-set or blocked before the competition. 

Competitors must make distinct changes in the dog's overall appearance when viewed from front, side, rear, and top. 

 

Judging Considerations 

Percentage of design created during competition 

• 100% 

• 75% 

• 50% 

• 25% 

 

Score and Ranking 

Specialist in creating new designs -100% in the ring

Expert in creating new designs - 75% in the ring

Master in creating new designs - 50% in the ring

Novice in creating new designs - 25% in the ring

 

#4 Difficulty of Design - Intricacy of Design 

Competitors evaluated on the amount of detail work achieved on design. 

 

Judging Considerations 

• Achieved a very detailed and intricate design 

• Achieved detailed moderate design

• Achieved moderate design 

• Achieved average design 

 

Scoring and Ranking 

Specialist - Achieved a very detailed and intricate design. 

Expert - Achieved detailed moderate design. 

Master - Achieved moderate design. 

Novice - Achieved average design. 

 

#5 Technical Skills Achieved on Design 

• Competitors evaluated on overall technical skills. 

• Judging Considerations

• Bathing - coat properly bathed 

• Drying - coat dried correctly 

• Brushing - coat properly brushed

• Combing - coat properly combed

• Hand stripping - hand stripping finish even with no bare spots. 

• Plucking - overall finish even with no bare spots. 

• Carding - overall finish smooth with no bare spots or skin irritations. 

• Clipping - clippers finish smooth without tracks. Clipper lines are sharp and precise. 

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

• Scissoring - finish on scissored areas smooth. Lines precise. 

 

Score and Ranking 

Specialist in technical skills. 

Expert in technical skills. 

Master in technical skills. 

Novice in technical skills.

 

COLOR

#1 Coloring Design 

• Competitors evaluated on all aspects of creative coloring designs. 

• Judging Considerations 

• Competitors evaluated on the correctness of color for object, creature, or thing. 

• Competitors evaluated on brilliance and clarity of colors. 

• Competitors evaluated on the softness of muted colors and clarity of pastels. 

• Competitors evaluated on the number of color shades created. 

• Competitors evaluated on blending of various colors. 

 

Safety Application - The competitors evaluated on overall safety application of color.   

Consistency of Color - Competitors evaluated the percentage of accurate and correct colors achieved on the overall design 

 

Score and Ranking 

Specialist in creating new color designs 

Expert in creating new color designs

Master in creating new color designs 

Novice in creating new color designs

 

#2 Originality of Color Design 

Competitors evaluated on the originality of color design. 

 

Judging Considerations 

Original color design created by the competitor

Design and color pattern or combination used previously by another competitor. 

Similar coloring patterns or designs used previously by other competitors

 

Score and Ranking 

Specialist in creating new color designs

Expert in creating new color designs

Master in creating new color designs

Novice in creating new color designs 

 

#3 Difficulty of Color Design - Percent Completed in the Ring 

Competitors evaluated on the percent of color design created before and during the competition time frame. 

 

Judging Considerations 

Percentage of color design created in competition

• 25% 

• 50% 

• 75% 

• 100%     

 

Score and Ranking 

Specialist in creating new designs -100% in the ring

Expert in creating new designs - 75% in the ring

Master in creating new designs - 50% in the ring. 

Novice in creating new designs - 25% in the ring 

 

#4 Technical Achievements of Color Design 

Competitors evaluated on technical skills achieved on color design. 

Judging Considerations 

Division of Colors 

Sharpness of Lines 

Blending of Colors 

 

Score and Ranking                                                                                             

Specialist - Technical skills coloring skills specialist 

Expert - Technical skills coloring skills expert 

Master - Technical skills coloring skills master 

Novice - Technical skills coloring skills novice 

 

DECORATIVE COAT ART

#1 Decorative Design 

Competitors are evaluated on the type of decorative design to establish more accurate judging considerations.

• Realistic Decorative Art Design - Competitors create more realistic or cartoon profiles, animals, creatures, or things by adding decorative objects to coat. 

• Abstract Decorative Art Design - Competitors create abstract-type art using decorative objects to highlight their masterpiece. 

• Collage Type Decorate Design - Competitors create multiple designs to create themes and add decorative objects such as beads, ribbons, rhinestones, buttons, and bows to create visuals to tell a story.   

 

 

Judging Considerations 

The accuracy in placing objects on the coat

Detail of attaching objects to coat. 

25% 

50% 

75% 

100% 

 

Score and Ranking 

Specialist in creative decorative design. 

Expert in creative decorative design. 

Master in creative decorative design. 

Novice in creative decorative design. 

 

#2 Originality of Decorative Design 

Competitors evaluated on originality and creativity of decorative design.   

 

Judging Considerations 

Competitors are judged on their decorative designs created by competitors to make their visuals more real life. 

Design and decorative pattern used or combination used previously by another competitor. 

Have decorative patterns or designs been used previously by other competitors? 

 

Score and Ranking 

Specialist in creating new and original decorative designs 

Expert in creating new decorative designs 

Master in creating new decorative designs

Novice in creating new decorative designs

 

#3 Difficulty of Decorative Design - Percent Completed in the Ring 

Competitors evaluated by the number of decorative objects attached to the coat before and during the competition. 

 

Judging Considerations

The number of decorative designs applied to the skin and coat of the dog. 

25% 

50% 

75% 

100% 

 

Scoring and Ranking 

Specialist - Achieved a very detailed and intricate design

Expert - Achieved detailed moderate design 

Master - Achieved moderate design 

Novice - Achieved average design 

 

#4 Difficulty of Decorative Design - Detail Achieved 

Competitors are evaluated on the intricacy of decorative design to recognize the difficulty achieved. 

 

Judging Considerations 

• Intricate decorative designs. 

• Average decorative designs. 

• Moderate decorative designs. 

• Simple decorative designs. 

 

Scoring and Ranking 

Specialist - Achieved a very detailed and intricate decorative design. 

Expert - Achieved detailed moderate decorative design. 

Master - Achieved moderate decorative design. 

Novice - Achieved average decorative design. 

 

#5 Technical Achievements of Decorative Design 

Competitors evaluated on technical skills achieved on decorative design. 

 

Judging Considerations 

Objects attached to the skin and coat with safety in mind for the do and correctly for design. 

 

Score and Ranking       

Specialist - Intricate, very detailed decorative coat art designs 

Expert - Detailed decorative coat art design and pattern 

Master - Moderate in detail decorative coat design 

Novice - Very simple decorative coat art design

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Creative - In the Ring Creative - Out of the Ring Creative

 

COMPETITION DOG

1. Do I have to provide my dog for the creative class? 

Yes, you will have to provide your competition dog. 

 

2. Are there restrictions on the type of design? No restriction. You can create any kind of design. To find out more reference judging considerations for creative designs in creative competitions. 

 

3.  Can I add ribbons and bows and color to my competition dog? 

Yes, ribbons, bows, and color are allowed in Creative Styling Classes. Review the Coloring Safety Data Sheets to find the coloring reference judging considerations and safety data sheet on decorative objects and coat coloring. 

 

Grooming Attire

1. What should I wear for the competition? Should I wear a grooming smock? 

Professional attire and you looking "bathed - groomed - styled" is a must for the competitor in the competition arena to create the ultimate in professionalism. You are the superstars, and this is your time to shine!