Providers of dogs must register for the event and wear a wristband for admittance into the Expo. No one is allowed in the Exhibition Hall without a wristband.
Dogs must be cleaned up after immediately and all waste must be properly disposed of
There will be a holding area for during the hours of the competition only. No dogs will be allowed to stay overnight. This holding area is in a secluded area, but will not have staff attending to it. The Maryland Grooming Competition is not responsible for any dogs or equipment left in the holding area.
There will be access to bathing tubs at Shaggy Chic Pet Grooming located at 1607 York Road, Lutherville Timonium, Maryland 21093
The salon will be open for prepping by appointment only. Only the groomer and one assistant may come at a time, per time slot. Due to space and time, we want to limit the amount of people in one area.
Competitors must provide a grooming loop, products, and their own towels.
Please bring only one dog at a time for bathing and drying. Only dogs that are part of the competition may be washed in the salon.
Personal tables or cages are not allowed in the bathing area; there simply is not enough space.
Electrical problems can occur, but class start times will be as scheduled. Plan your prep time so that you have an alternate plan to bathe and dry your dogs should there be downtime in the prep facility
You must clean up after yourself! Vacuum or gather-up and dispose of all hair when finished and sanitize the tables with the provided Clorox wipes.
There must be sufficient coat to allow the groomer to make a distinct change in the dog’s appearance.
Contestants will have between 90-135 minutes, depending on size of dog, to complete each category. All styling must take place during the time frame of the competition, except where noted below.
All dogs must be groomed according to breed standard, with the exception of Salon Freestyle and Creative.
All dogs may have sanitary and pads shaved, prior to class start.
All dogs may have nails trimmed and ears cleaned, prior to class start
Chalk products are permissible prior to and during the competition time frame, but are prohibited after time is called.
Finishing sprays are permissible in order to tidy up after competition time frame ends however, reshaping with water or product application is prohibited.
There is to be no coaching by anyone, at any time, during the competition.
There is to be no access to visual or written grooming instructions during the competition.
All photos and videos taken are the property of the Maryland Grooming Competition.
Group A is open to all competitors. It is recommended for groomers with advanced styling skills, previous successful competition experience, and professional conformation show exhibitors and/or certifiers with expert styling skills. ONLY GROUP A division class winners are eligible to earn GroomTeam USA points.
A minimum of two contestants must be entered and judged for a class 1st to be considered, in level advancement protocols.
A contestant placing and defeating someone in a regular class, in Open division, at any show, is prohibited from competing in Group B division
Clarification of ANY issues that may arise, that are not covered by the rules, will be determined by judging panel and/or show management.
Check-In Procedures
Judge(s) will evaluate, confirm, and note the following:
No coat coloring is permitted
Acceptable Breeds: All sizes, natural colors of purebred Poodles.
Styling:
No coat coloring is permitted
Styling:
Acceptable Breeds: Pure breeds with wire coat types that are hand stripped
No coat coloring is permitted
Styling:
Acceptable Breeds: Spaniels and Setters
Time Frame: 2:00 (two hours)
No coat coloring is permitted
Styling:
Examples: Shih Tzu in a puppy trim, Poodle in a Bedlington trim, Old English Sheepdog in a teddy bear trim
Time Frame:
Model Dog grooming can be either purebred or freestyle.
Must use a show wig or wrap wig for competition
Mr. Jiang Model Dogs and Wigs will be available for sale. Please place your order in advance to be sure it will be available at the competition
The 1st place winners from the two divisions compete for group first. The 2nd place class winner from the winning division will then compete with remaining group contestants for group second. The division which wins the group second will send forth the next class placement to compete for group 3rd.
Best in Show will be chosen from the 1st place winners from each of the Groups: Wire Coat, Salon Freestyle, Sporting, Poodles and All Other Purebred. The finalists will be determined in the Group competition, immediately following each class awards presentation.
The Group 1st place winners should remain in the arena with their dog, for evaluation by the Best in Show judge(s) and then return with their entry to the Best in Show Awards Presentation at designated time and place. Those winners not present for final Best in Show judging will not be eligible.
All first time competitors will be evaluated at the end of each class. Best First Timer will be chosen from the fist time competitors from each of the Groups: Wire Coat Class, Salon Freestyle, Sporting, Poodle, Model Dog, and All Other Purebred. The
finalists will be determined immediately following each class awards presentation.
The group first time winners should remain in the arena with their dog, for evaluation by the Best First Timer judge(s) and then return with their entry to the
Best in Show Awards Presentation at designated time and place. Those winners not present for final judging will not be eligible.
Technical Finish:
Profile:
Difficulty:
January 27-January 29, 2023
Fri: 2:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. ET
Sat: 9:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. ET
Sun 9:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M. ET
Sarah Lowery