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.

 

Free Style Classes - Breed Standard Referenced for Trim Style Requirements

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

 

Primary & Secondary Technical Skills: Pure Breed and FreeStyle Classes

Primary technical skills are proper techniques required to promote healthy skin, coat texture, color, and finish for the coat type and typically applied to the show trim. Secondary technical skills are alternative techniques utilized to achieve a pet trim style. Primary and secondary skills may be scissoring, thinning, and clipping, or they may be carding, hand plucking, and hand stripping.

 

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 Permitted Free Styles Classes 

Coloring permitted to enhance free style trims. 

 

Decorative Coat Art Permitted 

Hair extensions and decorative coat art such as bows, beads, and glitter allowed to enhance free style trims

 

CLASS RULES: FREE STYLE TRIMS FOR DOGS IN THE MULTITUDE OF COAT TYPES 

This class includes all pure breeds and mixed breeds with the 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 in free style trims that are typically created every day in the salon. 

 

Remember, no conformation trim styles allowed!. For example, a Pomeranian in a show trim not permitted, but a Pomeranian in a Lion Trim permitted. To confirm the correct class go to the IJA Pure Breeds, Time Frames, and Classes Chart.

 

Coat Types

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 placed in different coat type classes due to technical skills and trim styles,

 

CLASS RULES: FREE STYLE TRIMS FOR DOGS WITH SPORTING AND SPORTING SADDLE COAT TYPES

This class includes pure breeds and mixed breeds with sporting, sporting saddle coat types. Examples of pure breeds included in this class are the Irish Setter, Springer Spaniel, and Cocker Spaniel. Now is the time to show off the creative free style trims created every day in the salon for the Cocker Spaniel and come up with new ideas for the other sporting coat types.   

 

Coat Types: 

• Sporting 

• Sporting Saddle 

• Medium Long 

 

Exceptions to the Rule 

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

 

CLASS RULES: FREE STYLE TRIMS FOR DOGS WITH WIRE COAT TYPES

Free style trims for the wire coat types is a challenge for all groomers. This class includes all pure breeds and mixed 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. Show fun and cute free style trims on pets encountered in the salon. 

 

Coat Types: 

• Tight Wire 

• Scruffy Wire 

• Broken 

 

Exceptions to the Rule 

Pure breeds placed in different coat type classes due to technical skills and trim styles,

 

CLASS RULES: FREE STYLE TRIMS FOR DOGS WITH 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.

 

Coat Types:

• Tight Curly

• Loose Curly

• Rough Curly

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Exceptions to the Rule 

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

 

CLASS RULES: FREE STYLE TRIMS FOR POODLES 

The free style Poodle Class is designed just for unique, different free style trims for Poodles and mixed breeds with similar characteristics. Poodles in a corded coat allowed.

 

Exceptions to the Rule: N/A

 

COMPETITION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FREE STYLE TRIMS

Qualification of the Competition Dog

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

 

1. Must be competition dog age

2. Mature enough but young enough to enjoy the competition.

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

4. Must show no signs of obvious pregnancy or nursing.

5. 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 - Free Style 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 

 

JUDGING CONSIDERATIONS FREE STYLE

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

 

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. 

GOTO: 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 

 

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 

• 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 - Free Style Classes 

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

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

 

Judging Considerations: 

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

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

3. Did the competitor achieve a unique trim style? 

4. Did the competitor achieve balance? 

5. Did the competitor achieve symmetry? 

6. 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 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 

 

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 

1. 100% Expression and profile achieved during the competition time frame

2. 75%   Expression and profile achieved during the competition time frame

3. 50%   Overall expression and profile achieved during the competition time frame

4. 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

 

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 

1. Did the competitor clean the table and remove all tools? 

2. Did the competitor organize the overall workspace to appear professional? 

3. Did the competitor achieve a professional presentation? 

4. Did the competitor present the competition dog properly? 

5. Did the competitor stack the dog properly? 

6. 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 

1. 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? 

2. 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? 

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

4. 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!