Once again, the Great British Grooming Show is bringing the world of competitive dog grooming back up to the North West of England. We will have the regular classes and some fun ones thrown in for good measure! There will be more shopping and education.

Just in case you have missed the post on our socials we'd like to let you guys know about a deal that is being offered from a dog friendly hotel local to the competition. Only 15 minutes from our venue, Novotel Manchester West are doing us a great deal on their usual rates and they accept dogs too!!! Call 01438 533015 Monday to Friday, Quoting Ref: 5005148

• Single Occupancy is £89 for the night.
• Double Occupancy is £99 for the night
• There is a charge of £15 per dog maximum 2 per room.

We would like to thank our gift bag sponsors Hyponic & Peanut & Pickle for their generous gifts.

Competition Information
Doors Open for Competitors - 7:30 am
Doors Open for Spectators - 8:00 am
Morning Session Pre-Judge - 8:00 am
Morning Session Starts - 8:30 am
Morning Session Ends 11:10am
Morning Session Judging Ends - 11:50am
Morning Class Awards and Placements Announced 12:00pm

Afternoon session Pre-Judge - 12:30 pm
Afternoon Session Start - 1:00 pm
Afternoon Session Awards - 4:30 pm
Premier Awards - 5:00pm

Class Schedule
Sunday Morning
Workshop - Judges: Carol Huchins & Joanne Angus
Handstrip - Judges: Jason Lynn & Nicola Pisani
Gun Dog - Judges: Jason Lynn & Nicola Pisani
Pure Breed Scissor - Judges: Lesley Garrett & Zoe Duffy
Asian Freestyle - Judges: Julie Fox & Verity Hardcastle
Doubles -  Judges: Julie Fox & Verity Hardcastle
Salon Creative -  Judges: Julie Fox & Verity Hardcastle
Sunday Afternoon
All Beginner Classes - Judges: Lesley Garrett & Verity Hardcastle
Poodle Toy & Miniature - Judges: Tom Isherwood & Carol Hutchins
Poodle Standard - Judges: Tom Isherwood & Carol Hutchins
Clipper Only - Judges: Joanne Angus & Julia Fox
Diamond in the Rough - Judges: Joanne Angus & Julia Fox
Model Dog> - Judged by Julia Fox

Judging assignments are subject to change.

Class Rules

Handstrip
Timings are as follows:
Small and Medium sizes - 2:00 hours
Large sizes - 2:30 hours
Stripping knives are allowed. The dog needs to be groomed according to the breed standard. Coloured chalk powder/block/spray and cream are allowed.
You are not allowed to use clippers except:
Scottish Terrier – chest, head and ears.
West Highland Terrier - chest and ears.
Schnauzer - chest, head, inside of back, legs and ears.

Gundog
Timing as follows: All breeds, all sizes - 2:30 hours
Stripping knives are allowed. The dog needs to be groomed according to the breed standard. Coloured chalk powder/block/spray and cream are allowed.
It is not allowed to use clippers except Cockers and Setters chest and ears.

Poodle
Timings are as follows:
Toy 1:45 Hours
Miniature - 2:00 hours
Standard - 2:30 hours
Plus 15 minutes to spray up the top knot.
The dog should be washed and fluff-dried. Clipper comb attachments are not allowed. Muzzle and feet should be shaven before the start of the competition and be groomed in a style recognised in the breed standard. Poodles with top knots may ask for help from an outsider to hold the dog. Colouring is not allowed.

Pure Breed Scissored
Timings are as follows:
Small and Medium 2:00 hours
Large 2:30 hours
The dog should be washed and fluff-dried. Clipper comb attachments are not allowed. Colouring is not allowed.

Workshop
Timings are as follows:
Small and Medium size - 1:30 hours
Large - 2:00 hours
Contestants may enter with any breed that is groomed commercially. Breeds that are usually hand-stripped can be clipped or scissored; long hair breeds can be clipped or scissored. Poodles are accepted if groomed in a non-standard poodle trim, such as Bedlington or Kerry Blue. Colouring is not allowed. In this category, all breeds and techniques are used except the colour.  The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Beginner
Timing as follows:
All Breeds, all sizes - 2:30 hours
A beginner should not have more than 2 years of experience, including training school/college. The contestant can compete as a “Beginner” in several contests for 12 months, even if they win a placement. In the second year, the contestant must enter the “Open” class even if they have not been successful in winning a place. All breeds and techniques can be used in this category except the colour. The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Intermediate Beginner
Timing as follows:
All Breeds, all sizes - 2:30 hours
Intermediate is all contestants with more than 2 years of experience. The contestant can compete as “Intermediate Beginner” in several contests for 12 months even if they win a placement. In the second year, the contestant must enter the “Open” class even if they have not been successful in winning a placement. All breeds and techniques are used in this category except the use of colour.  The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Experienced Beginner
Timing as follows:
All Breeds, all sizes - 2:30 hours
A Experienced Beginner should have more than 5 years of experience. The contestant can compete as a “Experienced Beginner” in several contests for 12 months, even if they win a placement. In the second year, the contestant must enter the “Open” class even if they have not been successful in winning a place. All breeds and techniques can be used in this category except the colour.  The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Model Dog
Competitors are requested to bring a model dog that has already been completed.  There are two categories in this class. Breed/Asian Style & Creative/As mad as you like! You can enter more than one model dog! These will be placed on display to be assessed and placements made by Graciana Foo. All submissions must not have been used in any other competitions.

Asian Freestyle
Time Given - 2:00 hours
This class is for those with a creative flair to exhibit their skills in Asian styling. Add-ons such as gems, collars & other accessories are acceptable to enhance but not overshadow the styling. Amongst other things, the judges will be looking at the finish, so must be able to check through the dog properly. Any colour must be applied before the competition.  The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Diamond in the Rough
Time Given - 2:00 hrs
This is for those of you that can transform a dog that doesn’t have the best confirmation or structure. Maybe an undershot jaw or Queen Anne legs into a prince or princess. The description of the phrase below will give you a good idea of what we are looking for!

Diamond in the Rough: The phrase is metaphorical and relates to the fact that naturally occurring diamonds are quite ordinary at first glance and that their true beauty as jewels is only realised through the cutting and polishing process. The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Salon Creative
Time Given 2:00 hrs
Salon Creative is a dog that is groomed as it normally would be in our salons but with an added flourish of colour, sparkle, embellishments, carving or stencilling. Plus 15 minutes to spray up a top knot if, for example, you have a poodle in a continental trim.  The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Doubles
Time Given 1.5 hours
This class is for two groomers on one dog! You and a friend can team up to produce something spectacular. All breeds and techniques are used in this class except colour and embellishments.  The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Clipper Only
Time Given 2:00 hrs
You are only able to use clippers, trimmers, brushes, combs and products in this class. Any breed can be used. No colours or embellishments. The winner is eligible for Salon Groomer of the Day

Important Information & Rules

ENTRIES CLOSE AT 5pm SUNDAY, 12th MAY 2024. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ENTER THE CORRECT CLASS. THERE IS A £10 ADMINISTRATION FEE FOR ANY CLASS CHANGES. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS EXCEPT FOR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES. TICKETS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE. THERE IS NO FREE ENTRY FOR HELPERS THIS YEAR.

Classes
There will be three placements per class in each category. Each category will have two judges. Admission to the Open class is available to all contestants who have never won their categories. The contestant is allowed to stay in the Open class until they win three Golden Scissor Awards. The champion class is for anyone who has won three Golden Scissor Awards in the Open class or has previously entered the Champion class under any other competition rules. Due to any event that may occur, that is out of our control, the classes that the judges are listed to judge may change at short notice.

Equipment
Contestants must bring their own tools. No tools or electricity will be provided.

Dogs
All dogs will have a 10-minute comfort break after one hour has elapsed in the morning and afternoon sessions.

Contestants must provide their own dog(s).

All dogs except those entering hand-stripped classes must be washed.

Ears and nails should be plucked and/or trimmed before the competition.

It is permitted for the dog’s underbelly, genitals, and hindquarters to be previously groomed for reasons of hygiene, according to the breed standard.

The dog needs to have at least 8 weeks of coat growth or poodles minimum 5 cm coat length.

Any evident line or pattern should not be visible.

The dog’s coat must be long enough to allow the groomer to make a difference in its appearance.

Contestants competing with dogs showing evident lines and/or without enough coat to make a difference in their appearance may be marked down or disqualified.

All grooming techniques are allowed, as long as the chosen technique suits the type of the dog’s coat.

A 'Small' dog must measure 35cm or less at the withers, a 'Medium' dog must measure 35cm to 45cm at the withers & a 'Large' dog is any above 45cm at the withers. Withers are as indicated in the Kennel Club Document SR12 v8 June 2018, Training Board Points of the Dog Assessment.

Contestants
Contestants must be in the ring 30 minutes prior to the start of the competition for pre-judging with their own dog and tools.

Contestants are NOT allowed to talk to other contestants and/or the audience during the contest. Anyone not following this rule will, on the first occasion, be warned by a steward or judge. On the second occasion, they will be disqualified.

Unless exempt due to health reasons, contestants are NOT allowed to use a mobile phone and/or any electronic device during the competition. Anyone not following this rule will, on the first occasion, be warned by a steward or judge. On the second occasion, they will be disqualified.

Any helpers must register for admission.

The use of chalk is allowed however, no trace of it should remain on the judge's hand after judgement has taken place.

Any aggressive behaviour, including foul language used towards the judges, event staff or spectators, will lead to disqualification.

Any competitor handling a dog in a rough and/or unsafe manner will be advised of their conduct. A second occasion of being advised will lead to disqualification.

If the competitor makes clipper burns, nicks or cuts, they can not be placed as a winner.

Disqualifications will be executed by the President of the Jury.

Contestants should remove all hair, equipment and products from the grooming table as well as moving all items on the floor under the table to allow the judges an easy approach to the tables for the judgment.

A comb should be placed on the table for the judge to use during judging.

Contestants may comb their dogs before and after the judging panel has evaluated their dogs.

Contestants should stack his/her dog to present to the judge. Dogs not in judgment should not be kept stacked.

Any complaint must be in writing and presented to the show producers before the end of the event.