Pure Breed and Free Style Classes are based on coat types and technical skills requirements.

 

Types of Classes for Pure Breeds

Pure Breed or Mixed Breed to Achieve Conformation Trim Styles NEW

• Multitude of Coat Type Class Category

• Curly Coat Type Class Category

• Wire Coat Type Class Category

• Sporting Coat Type Class Category

Individual Breed Class Category - Example Poodle, Bichon Frise and Wire Fox Terrier

 

Types of Classes for Free Style

Pure Breed or Mixed Breed to Achieve Free Style Trims - NO CONFORMATION TRIMS ALLOWED!

• Multitude of Coat Type Class Category

• Curly Coat Type Class Category

• Wire Coat Type Class Category

• Sporting Coat Type Class Category

 

Number of Classes

Show conducts individual classes or multiple classes at events.

 

Classes Combined or Conducted Separately

Classes conducted separately are judged separately. Combined classes are judged as

one class.

 

For shows with less than 50 entries, if the number of entries in a purebreed class is less than 10 for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, all levels will be judged together and 1st, 2nd and 3rd placements awarded to class. 1st place winner will be a finalist for best in show.

 

Technical Skills

Class categories by coat type creates an arena for competitors to implement the same type of technical skills. For example, primary technical skills for pure breeds with wire coat types are handstripping and/or clippering. Primary skills for curly coats are scissoring and clippering. Class categories by coat type place basic expressions and profiles together. For example, breeds with wire coat types typically require the same expressions and profiles as well as same skill level.

 

Pure Breed Classes - Breed Standard Referenced

In pure  breed classes, contestants are judged on their ability to create the most perfect and correct breed profile. Typically, the latest trend in the conformation world is used as a reference along with the individual breed standard.

 

Free Style Classes - Breed Standard Referenced for Trim Style Requirements

In free style classes, competitors strive to create beautiful salon expressions and trim styles on pure breeds and mixed breeds.  Judges evaluate competitors on their ability to achieve the unique but perfect expressions and profile for the coat type with overall balance and symmetry. 

 

Primary & Secondary Technical Skills: Pure Breed & Free Style Classes

The primary and secondary skills required to properly groom and style dogs in a specific class category is determined by the breed and the individual coat type. Primary technical skills are proper techniques required to promote healthy skin, proper coat texture, color and finish for the coat type and is 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 clippering or they may be carding, hand plucking and handstripping.

 

Conformation Show Trims

Conformation show trims are defined as styles exhibited in the conformation ring. Trims may vary slightly from country to country and from region to region. Proper technical skills must be utilized to achieve the show trim style. Conformation trim styles achieved with alternative technical skills are placed in the conformation trim styles. 

 

Pet Trim Styles

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

 

Products

Products are allowed on the coat to create texture and volume and to hold the coat in place. Products must not rub off on the judge's hands  during the technical evaluation. Products may be applied prior to or during the time frame of the competition. Products are allowed after the competition during final presentations.

 

Coat Coloring Not Permitted Pure Breed Classes.

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

 

Coat Coloring Permitted Free Styles Classes

Slight coloring permitted to enhance free style trims.

 

Decorative Coat Art Not Permitted Pure Breed Classes

No decorative coat art required or permitted. Decorative objects, such as bows, beads and glitter are not permitted, with exception of those permitted in conformation show rings for breeds with drop coats to create proper head piece, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese and Shih Tzu. Hair extensions of the same color range are permitted , however, they must be applied during competition. Competitor must notify judging panel during pre judge and before technical evaluation.

 

Decorative Coat Art Permitted

Decorative coat art required or permitted to enhance free style trims. Decorative objects, such as bows, beads and glitter permitted. Conformation show rings for breeds with drop coats to create proper head piece, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese and Shih Tzu permitted. Hair extensions of the same color range are permitted , however, they must be applied during competition. Competitor must notify judging panel during pre judge and before technical evaluation.

 

Class Rules: Multitude of Coat Types

This class includes all pure breeds with a multitude of 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. Breeds must be styled in a trim exhibited in the conformation ring. For example, a Pomeranian in a show trim is permitted but a Pomeranian in a lion trim is not permitted. This trim style is permitted in the Free Style Class. To confirm class reference IJA Pure Breeds, Time Frames and Classes.

 

• 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

Breeds may be placed in different classes due to technical skills and trim style.

Excluded from this Class Category and moved to another Class Category

• Flat Coated Retriever - moved to sporting coat type class category.

• Golden Retriever - moved to sporting coat type class category.

• Nova Scotia Duck Trolling Retriever - moved to sporting coat type class category.

• Smooth Fox Terrier - moved to wire coat type class category.

 

Included in this Class Category from another Class Category

• Havanese - moved from the curly coat type class category.

• Pyrenean Shepherd - moved from the curly coat type class category.

• Puli - moved from the curly coat type class category.

• Komondor - moved from the curly coat type class category.

 

Time Frame

Time frame to groom and style the competition dog is determined by the individual breed for this class category.

 

CLASS RULES: PURE BREEDS - SPORTING COAT TYPES

This class includes pure breeds with sporting and specific breeds with medium long coat types. Examples of breeds that are included in this class are the Irish Setter, Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel. To confirm class reference IJA Pure Breeds, Time Frames and Classes.

 

Coat Types:

• Sporting

• Sporting Saddle

• Medium Long

​

Exceptions to the Rule

Breeds may be placed in different classes due to technical skills and trim style.

 

Excluded from this Class Category and moved to another Class Category

N/A

 

Included in this Class Category from another Class Category

• Cocker Spaniel - moved from sporting saddle coat type class category.

• Flat Coated Retriever - moved from medium long coat type class category.

• Golden Retriever - moved from medium long coat type class category.

• Nova Scotia Duck Trolling Retriever - moved from medium long coat type class category.

 

Time Frame

Time frame to groom and style the competition dog is determined by the individual breed for this class category.

 

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 clippering techniques for the alternative technique for pet trims. Examples of breeds that are included in this class are the West Highland White Terrier, Wire Haired Dachshund and the Irish Wolfhound. To confirm class reference IJA Pure Breeds, Time Frames and Classes.

 

Coat Types:

• Tight Wire

• Scruffy Wire

• Broken

 

Exceptions to the Rule

Breeds may be placed in different classes due to technical skills and trim style.

 

Excluded from this Class Category and moved to another Class Category

• Black Russian Terrier - moved to the curly coated class category.

• Bouvier des Flandres - moved to the curly coated class category.

• Included in this Class Category from another Class Category

• Smooth Fox - moved from the smooth coat type category.

 

Time Frame

Time frame to groom and style the competition dog is determined by the individual breed for this class category.

 

CLASS RULES: PURE BREEDS - CURLY COAT TYPES

This class includes all pure breeds with curly coat types, except for the Poodle, that require 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. To confirm class reference IJA Pure Breeds, Time Frames and Classes.

 

Exceptions to the Rule

Breeds may be placed in different classes due to technical skills and trim style.

Excluded from this Class Category and moved to another Class Category

• Havanese - moved to multitude of coat types

• Pyrenean Shepherd - moved to multitude of coat types

• Puli - moved to multitude of coat types

• Komondor - moved to multitude of coat types

​

Included in this Class Category from another Class Category

• Black Russian Terrier - moved from the wire coated class category.

• Bouvier des Flandres - moved from the wire coated class category.

 

Time Frame Determined by Height of Dog

16 inches and under - 1:45 Hours  

Over 16 inches up to 20 inches - 2:00 Hours

Over 20 inches up to 23 inches - 2:15 Hours

Over 23 inches - 2:30 Hours

 

Class Rules: Individual Pure Breeds - Poodle

This class is 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 permitted and must compete in the Free Style Class.

 

Face

Face must be clippered short. Cheeks and throat area must be clippered short. Mustache and beard are permitted. No scissored faces.

Topknot

Scissored or banded topknots are permitted. Topknot may be banded before competition or during competition. Wigs may be attached before or during competition.  Clippered feet are permitted. Scissored feet are permitted.

Feet

Clippered feet are permitted. Scissored feet are permitted.

Corded Coat

Poodles in a corded coat are permitted in this class.

 

Exceptions to the Rule

• N/A

• Excluded from this Class Category and moved to another Class Category

• Poodles with a scissored face are placed in Free Style Class.

• Included in this Class Category from another Class Category

• No other pure breed is permitted in this class.

 

Time Frames

Time Frame is determined by Height of Dog

16 inches and under - 1:45 Hours

16 inches and under - 2:00 Hours

Over 16 inches up to 20 inches - 2:00 Hours

Over 16 inches up to 20 inches - 2:15 Hours

Over 20 inches up to 23 inches - 2:15 Hours

Over 20 inches up to 23 inches - 2:30 Hours 

Over 23 inches - 2:30 Hours

Over 23 inches - 2:45 Hours  

Feet and face clipped during competition

 

Class Rules: Free Style

This class is all about styling pure breeds in pet trim styles, pure breeds to look like other pure breeds, mixed breeds to look like pure breeds or using a combination of trim style components to create a unique trim style. All mixed and pure breeds are allowed so let your creativity run wild.

 

Exceptions to the Rule

All dogs must be styled in a pet trim or free style trim. Asian trim styles are included in this class.

Excluded from this Class Category and moved to another Class Category

Pure breed groomed in his/her conformation trim style.

Included in this Class Category from another Class Category

• Pure breeds groomed in pet trims, for example, Pomeranian in a lion trim.

• Pure breeds groomed to appear like another pure breed. Example, Poodle styled in Bedlington Trim.

• Mixed breeds groomed to appear like a pure breed.

• Asian type trim styles.

 

Time Frame

Time Frame Determined by Height of Dog

16 inches and under - 1:45 Hours

Over 16 inches up to 20 inches - 2:00 Hours

Over 20 inches up to 23 inches - 2:15 Hours

Over 23 inches - 2:30 Hours