Contest Registration and Fees

Registration opens on November 14, 2025 at 10 am ET. This year’s competition has 35 available entry spots. We expect this event to fill up quickly and encourage interested groomers who are unable to secure a spot to join the waitlist.

You must make the $160 registration fee payment at checkout. This fee is required at the time of registration.

Contest Timeline

12:30 pm:   Check-in
1:00 – 1:30 pm:   Pre-Judging
1:30pm:   Contest Starts

3:00-3:15 pm: Dog Break

4:15 pm: Contest Ends/Final Judging
5:15 pm: Awards

Contest Time Limit:
2.5 Hours

Rules and Regulations

Divisions

This competition is open to all groomers. There are no divisions, all competitors will compete together in one class.

Competition Description

This competition is open to all pure breeds and mixed breeds. Pure breed dogs should be groomed in a recognized breed standard trim for that breed. If a purebred dog is being groomed in a salon freestyle trim, the trim must be a different style than the breed’s recognized trim. Poodles trimmed in salon freestyle cannot have clean feet or clean face. Dogs may be colored for fun, but THIS IS NOT A CREATIVE STYLING COMPETITION, and the dogs will have to be able to be combed through in most areas. Judges will be respectful of product in topknots, flared legs etc. The judges will be scoring based on technical ability, balance and profile, trim suitability for the dog and the overall finish. 

Do you have what it takes to snatch the $10,000 prize?

Entries

Entries will be accepted in the order in which they are received up to a total of 35 competitors.

Registration will go live on 11/14/25 at 10 am.

Competitors may compete with any of the AKC-recognized pure breeds groomed to breed standard or any mixed breed in any freestyle salon trim.

Sporting dogs, Wire Coats, Scissored Purebreds, Poodles and Mixed breeds are all acceptable entries. 

**THIS IS NOT A CREATIVE STYLING COMPETITION however dogs may have color for enhancement although COLOR WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR PLACEMENT.

Coat Length

Contestants should enter with a minimum of 8 weeks of coat growth. It is understood that some coats grow more quickly than others so the hair must be of sufficient length to allow the competitor to make a very distinct change in the dog’s appearance. 

Preparation

Competition dogs must be prepped and ready for the judge’s inspection prior to check-in.  Dogs should be combed, brushed and free of tangles, freshly bathed and dried.  Ears should be clean, toenails trimmed/filed, and pad hair trimmed if applicable. Poodle pads, sanitary trimming and the genital and stomach areas should be pre-trimmed. Shaved feet and face may NOT be trimmed before the start of the competition.  All other trimming shall be done only after the competition starts. Pre-shaved feet or face will result in a 15 minute time penalty. All grooming techniques are permitted except singing of Terrier coats.

Scissoring, thinning, using guard combs are all permitted. Show topknots may be pre-banded, including hair extensions prior to the start of the class. Spray-up products are prohibited prior to the start of the class. The use of hairspray, chalk, styling products are permitted however, your judges must be able to evaluate the grooming with a comb.

Grooming Equipment

Grooming tables and grooming arms will be provided to contestants.  Contestants must supply their own grooming equipment and grooming loop. 

Electric

Electric will NOT be provided in the contest ring. You must supply your own cordless clippers if clipping is part of your grooming.

Bathing Facility

There are bathing and drying facilities available onsite by reserved appointment. There are limited slots so if you need to prep onsite make your reservation early by contacting Jonathan via email: Luxurydogspa1@gmail.com

Warnings

The following violations will result in a warning.  A second warning will result in disqualification.

  • Inappropriate attire
  • Inappropriate language or clothing displaying profanity
  • Skin abrasions, clipper burns, nicks or cuts
  • The use of cell phones
  • Smoking in the ring
  • Rough handling
  • Grooming loop too tight or too high
  • Dogs left unattended on the table
  • Dogs jumping or falling off the table
  • Standing on chairs or tables
  • Coaching of any kind from outside the ring

Prizes

There will be 3 cash placements as follows (all sponsored by : Woof Gang Academy of Grooming and Pet’s Playground Grooming School)

1st Place: $10,000 (sponsored by

2nd Place: $2000

3rd Place: $1000

There are also two placements awarding product and/or sponsor certificates:

4th Place: $500

5th Place: $300