British Dog Grooming Championship 2020 Rules of entry

British Dog Grooming Championship 2020

                                             Rules of entry
ENTRIES

   •   Entries are strictly limited and are taken on a first come, first served basis.
   •   Newcomers – one dog only; all breeds and techniques
   •   Experienced and Advanced – 1 or 2 dogs can be entered
   •   To challenge for Groomer of the Year, competitors MUST complete two dogs
   •   The closing date for entering the contest is Friday 17 April 2020
   •   Competitors’ certificates will display the name as given on the competitor’s application form; corrections
       may be subject to a surcharge.
   •   Animal welfare and handling will form part of the judging criteria for ALL competitors
   •   Only products that have specifically been made for dogs can be used during the British Dog Grooming
       Championships, failure to do so will result in disqualification.
   •   IF YOU ARE COMPETING WITH TWO DOGS, YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMPETE IN THE SAME GROUP (i.e.
       ADVANCED, EXPERIENCED) FOR BOTH DOGS. ONLY IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY WON A CLASS IN THAT
       GROUP, WILL YOU NEED TO MOVE UP TO THE NEXT GROUP FOR THAT CLASS.

NEWCOMER COMPETITION – MORNING ONLY

   •   This group is for competitors presently enrolled on a dog grooming course OR anyone who has been
       grooming for less than 18 months. Competitors can have competed before, but must not have been
       awarded 1st at Newcomer Level in any major grooming competition. Those who have received a 1st place
       award must then enter the ‘experienced group’.
   •   There are two classes: clip & scissor and handstrip.
   •   Use of attachment combs on scissored dogs is allowed.
   •   Competitors compete with one dog
   •   Newcomers should attend an exclusive workshop and feedback seminar with the newcomer judges after

the Newcomer Awards.

GROUPS

Experienced Group

   •   This group is for competitors who have not been placed first in any class at a national grooming
       competition.
   •   This group is for competitors who have either; at least 18 months full-time grooming experience, or who
       have less than 18 months’ experience but have been placed 1st at Newcomer Level in a previous grooming
       competition.
   •   Competitors can complete one or two dogs
   •   If you have won a class at Experienced level, you must move up to the Advanced group for all future BDGC
       competitions, if you are competing again in that class.

Advanced Group

   •   To be eligible to enter this group you must either:
                   • have been placed first in the class you intend to compete in in a national grooming
                        competition (examples of national grooming competitions include: Professional Groomers,
                        Mastergroom, British Dog Grooming Championship, Irish Groomers or any equivalent
                        international competition)
                   • or be an experienced dog show exhibitor or breed specialist.
   •   Experienced dog show exhibitors, or breed specialists are not eligible for any group other than the
       Advanced Group.
   •   Competitors can complete one or two dogs

CLASSES FOR EXPERIENCED & ADVANCED GROUPS

The following classes are available to enter for Experienced and Advanced Groups.

Morning

   1. Clipped Terriers or Schnauzers
      Short and long-legged Terriers and Schnauzers – groomed to breed standard

   2. Handstrip other than gundog
      Airedale Terrier, Border Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Norwich/Norfolk Terrier, Lakeland
      Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer
      or a suitably coated crossbreed – groomed to breed standard

   3. Gundogs
      All Setters, Italian Spinone, Spaniels (American Cocker, Cocker, English Springer, Clumber, Field, Sussex,
      Welsh Springer) – groomed to breed standard i.e. no clipping.

Afternoon

   4. Standard Poodle
      All pure breed Poodles – groomed to breed standard using scissors only.

   5. Toy and Miniature Poodle
      All pure breed Poodles – groomed to breed standard using scissors only.

   6. Purebred Scissor
      Bichon, Kerry Blue, Bedlington Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten, Bouvier, Russian Black – groomed to breed
      standard, with minimal clipping allowed.

   7. Workshop
      Any breed without a trimmed breed standard (including mixed breeds) and a pure breed in a different
      style, so that it looks different to the breed standard – use of attachment blades is permitted.

THE ROUTE TO ‘GROOMER OF THE YEAR’
Winners in each class go forward to be judged for the Group Winners Awards (Experienced Group and Advanced
Group). The Group winners will then be judged against each other to determine the Groomer of the Year – NB:
COMPETITORS MUST HAVE COMPLETED TWO DIFFERENT BREEDS OF DOGS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR GROOMER OF THE
YEAR TITLE. The second dog does not need to be placed BUT BOTH DOGS MUST BE PRESENT TO BE JUDGED FOR
GROOMER OF THE YEAR.

The Groomer of the Year will be decided by a single, independent judge who has not previously judged any dogs in
the Experienced or Advanced classes earlier in the day.

SPECIAL AWARDS
A number of special awards will be handed out during the course of the day, both in the morning and the
afternoon:

   •   Exemplary Handling
   •   Biggest Transformation
   •   Future Star
   •   Cutest Dog (voted for by the spectators)
   •   Best Presentation

GENERAL RULES FOR ALL COMPETITORS
PREPARATION

   •   All competitors must provide their own dogs with at least 8-10 weeks of hair growth. Judges will disqualify
       dogs deemed to have insufficient hair growth or who have been pre-trimmer. NB: This will be strictly
       adhered to.
   •   Any visible line or pattern is not allowed
   •   Competitors may clear and clip the groin and under the pads as part of their preparation. No other pre-
       clipping is permitted including feet, face and tail, with the exception of the Poodle Classes.

•   The poodle competitors may prepare the feet, face and tail during their allotted time within the
       competition or before the competition (during their prep), however, it must not be done inside the
       centre immediately before the competition.
   •   Competitors should ensure that they have adequate insurance for the pets in their charge.

COMPETING

   •   Grooming Assistants will be charged at £16 (non-BDGA members); £10 BDGA members. The BDGA member
       is allowed to be the competitor in order for the assistant to qualify at a member rate.
   •   Judges reserve the right to refuse entry to compete.
   •   Please ensure that your dog’s temperament is right for a competition and that it is used to a grooming
       competition environment. A veterinary surgeon will be present at all times during the show and reserves the
       right to remove a dog from the competition if it is felt that it is struggling in such an environment. Their
       decision is final.
   •   Competitors must be at their designated area at least 15 minutes before prejudging begins.
   •   Any latecomers may be allowed to participate at the discretion of the judges, but will not be allowed any
       extra time.
   •   Time allowed is two hours for dogs under 15 inches, and two and a half hours for dogs over 15 inches.
       Handstrip Other (under 15”) have two and a half hours and three hours for over 15”; Gundogs have two
       and a half hours. Poodles with topknots have an extra 15 minutes at the end of their allotted time.
   •   No dogs are to be removed from the ring until the class judging has been completed, with the exception of
       allocated comfort breaks or an emergency.
   •   An announcement will be made at the end of each class. When judging commences all competitors must
       put down appliances immediately. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
   •   Further trimming after the end of the class and prior to the presentation of the awards will result in
       disqualification.
   •   Competitors will be expected to make a marked visible difference with the appearance of their dog(s).
   •   No person may challenge a judge regarding points or placing. The judge’s decision is final. An
       administration fee of £40 must be lodged should you wish to make an official complaint (within 48 hours
       after the show)
   •   Please note that fees are non-refundable.

EQUIPMENT

   •   Competitors must supply their own dryers which can only be used in the designated drying area prior to entering
       the competition area.
   •   Tabards will not be provided.
   •   Grooming tables will not be provided.
   •   All electrical equipment brought to the venue must be safe and Portable Appliance Tested.
   •   Clippers used must be battery clippers; no electric will be provided in the competition area.
   •   Competitors may bring their own folding stool or chair to rest after finishing their groom/during judging.
       However, this has to remain within their grooming area, and not obstruct any other competitor.

ANIMAL WELFARE

   •   A consultant responsible for observing handling and welfare of the dogs throughout the competition will be
       present and will be advising judges accordingly
   •   There will be a designated comfort break for five minutes during each class.
   •   No dogs are to be left unattended on the grooming tables at any time. Dogs left unattended on the tables

will lead to disqualification.
    •   Dogs should be carefully restrained during the competition
    •   Dogs must be treated with respect at all times; any mistreatment of dogs will result in immediate
        disqualification. The five welfare needs in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 must be adhered to:
        1. Need for a suitable diet by providing ready access to fresh water
        2. Need for a suitable environment
        3. Need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
        4. Need to express normal behaviour
        5. Need to be protected from pain, injury or disease.
    •   All competitors will be responsible for their dogs at all times. There will be a holding area for crated dogs.
    •   If your dog is not in a crate it must be kept on a leash at all times.
    •   Crates will not be provided.
    •   Crates must be labelled with the competitor’s name and emergency contact details, specifically, your
        mobile number whilst at the event.
    •   All competitors must provide water for their dogs.
    •   You must clean up after your dog.
    •   Non-competing dogs may be admitted into the competition hall but must be kept away from the direct ring
        side, where they could distract competitors’ dogs.
    •   Non-competing dogs must be kept on a lead at all times, and are the responsibility of the owner. Any dogs
        behaving poorly will be asked to leave.

Any competitor, trader or attendee that shows disregard for animal welfare (as determined by the show
committee) inside the ring, or witnessed in a public place over the course of the show shall be subject to the
following:

        •   The contestant will be immediately disqualified from any further competitions for the remainder of the day,
            including the finals, and will forfeit all entry fees.
        •   Any award(s) and prize money will be immediately returned to the Show Managers and any placements
            or points will be forfeited.

BASIC JUDGING CRITERIA

    •   The judges will note how well your dog was prepared prior to the start of the competition, so ensure you
        thoroughly prepare your dog.
    •   Ensure your dog is clean and knot-free before you enter the competition room – lack of preparation could
        lose you valuable marks.
    •   The judges will be looking at your clipper work or technique, with any hand stripping or scissoring you do.
    •   Ensure your styling lines and neat and clear, paying particular attention to the overall balance, shape and
        finish.
    •   The way you handle your dog and the way in which you work are all taken into account by the judges when
        marking.
    •   Judges will also take the following into consideration:
        - Suitability of chosen style to the dog.
        - The difficulty degree of the clip.
        - Ability to camouflage defects and enhance beauty.
        - The quality of scissoring, shaving and or stripping after passing a comb.
        - Balance, symmetry, and smoothness.
        - Presentation of the dog to the judge.

SPORTSMANSHIP RULES

Sportsmanship Rules should be adhered to. Groomer of the Year has created and maintains a show and contest
environment that promotes professionalism, fun and, most of all, a valuable learning experience for competitors
and attendees alike. Good sportsmanship is absolutely essential to maintain this environment. Therefore, any
competitor, trader or attendee that displays unsportsmanlike conduct (as determined by the show committee)
inside the ring, or witnessed in a public place over the course of the show shall be subject to the following:

   •   The contestant will be immediately disqualified from any further competitions for the remainder of the day,
       including the finals, and will forfeit all entry fees.
   •   Any award(s) and prize money will be immediately returned to the Show Managers and any placements or
       points will be forfeited.