Rules

Class categories by coat type create an arena for competitors to implement the same technical skills. For example, pure breeds’ primary technical skills with wire coat types are hand stripping and clipping. Primary skills for curly coats are scissoring and clipping. Class categories by coat type place basic expressions and profiles together. For example, breeds with wire coat types typically require the same head styles, body styles, and skill levels.

 

Pure Breed Classes - Breed Standard Referenced

In pure breed classes, contestants judged on creating the most perfect and correct breed profile using the latest trends in the conformation world and the individual breed standard as references.

 

Conformation Show Trims

Conformation show trims are styles exhibited in the conformation ring that vary slightly from country to country and from region to region. Proper technical skills are required to achieve the show trim style.

 

Pet Trim Styles

Pet trims are styles encountered in grooming salons. Pet trim styles vary from country to country and from region to region.  A variety of technical skills required to achieve a pet trim style.

 

Products

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

 

Coat Coloring Not Permitted Pure Breed Classes

Coloring, other than to enhance the coat color of a dog, is not permitted. 

 

Decorative Coat Art Not Permitted Pure Breed Classes

No decorative coat art is required or permitted. Decorative objects, such as bows, beads, and glitter are not allowed, except those permitted in conformation show rings for breeds with drop coats to create the proper headpiece, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, and Shih Tzu. Hair extensions of the same color range are permitted. 

 

CLASS RULES: PURE BREEDS - MULTITUDE COAT TYPES

This class includes all pure breeds with many coat types not included in the wire, sporting, and curly coat type class categories. This class category is perfect for the novice to start competitions. The competitor must style the competition dog in a trim exhibited in the conformation ring. For example, a Pomeranian in a show trim permitted, but a Pomeranian in a lion trim is not allowed.

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• Short Coat Types

• Smooth Coat Types

• Medium Smooth Coat Types

• Medium Long Coat Types

• Nordic Coat Types

• Nordic Rough Coat Types

• Rough Coat Types

• Drop Coat Types (Hairless) 

 

Exceptions to the Rule 

Pure breeds are placed in different coat type classes due to their trim styles. Reference the IJA Pure Breeds Coat Type and Classes Chart.

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CLASS RULES: PURE BREEDS - SPORTING COAT TYPES

This class includes pure breeds with sporting and specific breeds with medium long coat types. Examples of pure breeds included in this class are the Irish Setter, Springer Spaniel, and Cocker Spaniel.  

Coat Types:

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• Sporting 

• Sporting Saddle 

• Medium Long 

 

Exceptions to the Rule 

Pure breeds are placed in different coat type classes due to their trim styles. Reference the IJA Pure Breeds Coat Type and Classes Chart.

 

CLASS RULES: PURE BREEDS - WIRE COAT TYPES

This class includes all pure breeds with broken, scruffy, or tight wire coat types that require hand stripping techniques for the show trim and clipping techniques for the alternative for pet trims. Examples of breeds included in this class are the West Highland White Terrier, Wire Haired Dachshund, and the Irish Wolfhound. Coat Types: 

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• Tight Wire 

• Scruffy Wire 

• Broken 

 

Exceptions to the Rule 

Pure breeds are placed in different coat type classes due to their trim styles. Reference the IJA Pure Breeds Coat Type and Classes Chart.

 

CLASS RULES: PURE BREEDS - CURLY COAT TYPES

This class includes all pure breeds with curly coat types, except for the Poodle, that requires scissoring the coat to create the proper expression and profile. Examples of breeds included in this class are the Bichon Frise, Portuguese Water Dog, Irish Water Spaniel, and the Kerry Blue Terrier. IJA Pure Breeds, Time Frames, and Classes Online Reference.

 

Pure breeds are placed in different coat type classes due to their trim styles. Reference the IJA Pure Breeds Coat Type and Classes Chart.

 

CLASS RULES: INDIVIDUAL PURE BREEDS - POODLE

Class designed for the Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodles. All Poodle trim styles are permitted. Poodles with a scissored face, such as a teddy bear face, are not allowed and must compete in the Free Style Competitions. 

 

Face

The cheeks and throat areas must be clipped short. A mustache and beard are permitted, but no scissored faces. 

 

Topknot

Corded Coat

Poodles in a corded coat are permitted in class. 

 

Pure breeds are placed in different coat type classes due to their trim styles. Reference the IJA Pure Breeds Coat Type and Classes Chart.

 

COMPETITION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES PURE BREED 

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 competition dog’s suggested age is 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 - Pure Breed Classes

The entry must be confirmed dog is entered in the correct class.

 

Pre-Judge Documentation

The judging panel documents the following about competition dogs:

1. Amount of coat growth.

2. Amount of pre-set coat growth pattern

3. Missing coat, ear infection, etc 

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JUDGING CONSIDERATIONS PURE BREED 

Preparation of Competition Dog

Competitors evaluated on the preparation of the competition dog. 

 

Judging Considerations

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

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

3. Ear Care - Ears cleaned. Ear hair, if any, clean and not matted. The area around the ear canal opening trimmed if required. No other trimming permitted.

4. 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. 

5. Sanitary Care - Area around the rectum, genital, and stomach, if applicable, trimmed. No other trimming permitted. 

 

Score and Rank

• Specialist - Exceptional prep on skin and coat, eyes, ears, feet, and sanitary 

• Expert - Excellent prep on skin and coat, eyes, ears, feet, and sanitary. 

• Master - Perfect prep on skin and coat, eyes, ears, feet, and sanitary. 

• Novice - Good prep on the skin and coat, eyes, ears, feet, and sanitary

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Skin and Coat Products

Competitors evaluated on product knowledge and application. Products create texture and volume, hold the coat in place, straighten, and prevent breaking the hair during brushing and combing. 

They may be applied before, during the competition, and in the final presentations. 

Go to: IJA Products Safety Data Sheet 

 

Judging Considerations - Products

Did competitors use the product correctly for the coat type? Did competitors enhance or hinder the texture of the coat from achieving 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 experience of a Level 2

• Novice - Product application and finish of a Level 1 

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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 permitted.

Go to: IJA Technical Skills Safety Data Sheet 

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• Bathing Coat properly 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 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 

1. Did the competitor maintain proper body position during technical applications? 

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

3. Did the competitor use all tools properly? 

4. Did the competitor choose the right tool for the job? 

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

6. 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

 

Expression and Profile - Pure Breed Classes 

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

 

Judging Considerations: 

1. Did the competitor achieve proper expression for the pure breed? 

2. Did the competitor achieve a proper profile for the pure breed? 

3. Did the competitor achieve proper balance? 

4. Did the competitor achieve symmetry? 

5. 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

 

Degree of Difficulty - Length of Coat 

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

 

• 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 evaluated on the percent of the profile created before and during competition. The competitor must make a distinct change 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 competition time frame

• 25%   Overall expression and profile achieved during the competition 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

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Degree of Difficulty -  Intricacy of Trim Style 

• Competitors evaluated on the intricacy and difficulty of the trim style

• Achieved intricate and challenging trim style design 

• Achieved advanced and complicated trim style design 

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

• Achieved average trim style with an 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 photos to the judges and audience. The table must be clean and free of hair and tools. Competitors must present the competition dog 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 the dog properly? 

• Did the competitor prepare the 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 from start to finish on professionalism.

 

Judging Considerations 

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

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

• Sportsmanship - Did competitors present a professional sportsmanship performance treating all competitors and competition dogs with kindness to promote a calm, composed online competitive environment. 

• Safety - Did the competitor present and promoted safety for the professional and the competition dog when applying technical skills with no skin irritation? 

 

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!