Competition Rules

Groom Team Canada 2026 Competition Rule Updates

Groom Team Canada is thrilled to announce the new rules for Entry and Intermediate divisions in grooming competitions, effective 2026!

Entry (Novice) Level to Intermediate Division

Four 1st placements to advance to the Intermediate Division (with a minimum of four contestants in each class for the win to qualify.)

Intermediate to Open Division

Three “Best in Show” or “Best All Around Groomer” titles from the Intermediate Division.
Six 1st placements from the Intermediate Division (with a minimum of four contestants entered and judged in the class for the win to qualify.)
Four group placements from tiered shows.

We hope these changes will enhance your grooming competition experience and inspire more growth and camaraderie in our vibrant community.

General Rules: Canadian Grooming Competitions

These are the rules for Canadian Grooming Competitions

Groom Team Sanctioned Classes

Show Structure, divisions and awards

Structure

Multi-Division Competition – Open, Intermediate and Entry (Novice) Divisions compete separately for the titles of first, second and third in their respective division classes.

Competition Level Division

Open

Open to all competitors. Recommended for groomers with advanced styling skills, previous successful competition experience and professional conformation show exhibitors with expert styling skills.

Intermediate

Restricted to competitors who have not won 3 Best in Show or 3 Best All Around Groomer titles from the Intermediate division or six 1st placements from the Intermediate division at any show (with a minimum of four contestants entered and judged in the class for the win to qualify). Recommended for groomers with Intermediate styling skills or conformation show ring exhibitors (Have groomed and handled a breed to champion).

Entry (Novice)

Restricted to competitors who have not won four 1st placements from the entry division at any show (with a minimum of four contestants entered and judged in the class for the win to qualify). Recommended for groomers who have never competed before and/or possess novice-grooming skills. Handlers, conformation show exhibitors, and grooming instructors are not permitted to compete in the Entry (Novice) division. This does not apply to new handlers who have not handled a breed to championship.

Groom Team Canada Points

Class placement points (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) will only be awarded to Open Competitors. Groom Team Points are only awarded to Open Division for the following classes, Poodle, Terrier(hand stripped), Sporting and Purebred. Placements from each class will be placed in their own category (i.e.: Poodle points into the Poodle category). Shows that are not able to host at least one full class of Open division competitors (2 or more) will not be eligible for Groom Team Canada Points. Mixed Breed will no longer count for Groom Team points.

Awards

All divisions are judged simultaneously. The placements (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) are awarded in each division. Only Open Division receives points.

Best In Show

Best in Show will be chosen from all First Place winners. Best in Show will not qualify for Groom Team Points.

Best All Around Groomer

Best All Around Groomer will be chosen from all 3 divisions as established by the placements. In order to be eligible for Best All Around Groomer award, the contestant must enter a minimum of three sanctioned classes. Specialty classes are not included. Best All Around does not qualify for Groom Team Points.

1st place = 3 points
2nd place = 2 points
3rd place = 1 point

1st tie breaker = highest number of placements
2nd tie breaker = highest number of entries defeated
If an exact tie still exists, the prize will be divided.

Sanctioned Class Rules and Class Descriptions

All dogs should have a sufficient coat to al the groomer make a distinct difference to the dog’s appearance. Ideally, 6- 8 weeks of growth. But, it is the responsibility of the show promoter and/or their designated judges to determine adequate coat growth.

See list of Breeds By Class For Open Division for all accepted breeds.

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 Poodles as noted below
All dogs must be clean and have sanitary areas and pads shaved prior to class start
All dogs may have nails trimmed and ears cleaned prior to class start
Finishing sprays, are permissible in order to tidy up after competition time frame ends however, re-shaping with water or product application is prohibited
Chalk products are permissible prior to and during the competition time frame but are prohibited after time is called
Wire Coats must be hand stripped. Clippers are only permissible as presented in the conformation show ring
Sporting coats must be carded and/or hand stripped. Clippers are only permissible as presented in the conformation show ring
Other Purebreds must be styled as presented in the conformation show ring
Poodles can be styled as presented in the conformation show ring or pet trims, provided they respect the breed profile as set forth by the standard

Poodles

Acceptable breeds: All sizes, natural colors of purebred Poodles.

This class may be split into two separate classes as follows: 17″ and under, Over 17″.

11″ and under – 1:30 (One hour & thirty minutes)
Over 11″ up to and including 17″ – 1:45 (one hour and forty-five minutes)
Over 17″ up to and including 23″ – 2:00 (Two hours)
Over 23″ – 2:15 (Two hours and fifteen minutes)

An additional 15 minutes are allowed for Poodles with trims requiring a Spray up. (Continental, Scandinavian/Second Puppy, Puppy, and English Saddle). An additional person in the ring during that 15 minutes is NOT ALLOWED.

When splitting the Poodle class the following stipulations apply:

A competition must take place between the three finalists from each of the two Open Division Poodle classes to determine the placements of the combined Poodle class, for a final 1st, 2nd and 3rd for all Open Division Poodles. Only the Final place winners may be awarded points.

Poodle Styling

All pet and show Poodle styles are acceptable provided they respect the breed profile of the Poodle.

Feet must be shaved. Feet may be shaved prior to competition start time. NO extra time will be permitted if not completed prior to class start
Face must be shaved during competition time frame
Small mustache or goatee are permitted
Scissored face styles such as Bichon or scissored type faces are prohibited
Show topknots may be pre-banded, including hair extensions prior to the start of the class. The bubble.may br pulled as well. Spray up products are prohibited prior to the start of the class

Sporting

Styling: Must be groomed to breed profile as presented in the conformation show ring.

Time frame: 2 hours

All Wire Coated Pure Breeds

Acceptable breeds, Open Division: Pure breeds with wire coat types that are hand stripped.

Styling: Must be groomed to breed profile as presented in the conformation show ring.

Time Frames

Affenpinsher, Border Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Mini Wirehaired Dachshund, Norfolk, and Norwich: 1:45 hours

Australian Terrier, Cairn, Standard Wirehaured Dachshund, Candies Dinmont, Irish, Lakeland, Min and Standard Schnauzer, Scottish, Seaylham, Welsh, Westie, and Wirefox: 2 hours

Airedale and Giant Schnauzer: 2:15 hours