YKC/GROOM/JAN19

D O G G R O O M I N G C O M P E T I T I O N S

R U L E S 2 0 1 9 ( C R U F T S 2 0 2 0 )

YKC/GROOM/JAN19 2

There are two different classes for YKC members to enter:

Groom Through

Clip, Trim and Strip

DE

FIN

ITIO

N

The YKC hosts grooming competition finals at Crufts. To qualify for the finals, members must

compete in YKC grooming classes held at shows and events throughout the year, these

classes can be found at www.ykc.org.uk

Grooming qualifiers run from the 1st January to the 31st December for the following year’s

Crufts.

CL

AS

SE

S

Y KC D O G G R O O M I N G C O M P E T I T I O N S

A:

B:

In each of the classes, there are 3 separate age categories:

06-11 Years

12-17 Years

18-24 Years

The age groups will compete together in each class, but are awarded prizes separately

A member should enter the age category they will be on the day of the qualifier.

If a member moves age category after qualifying for Crufts, the YKC office will put you into the new

age category.

Any handlers must be fully up to date members at the time of the qualifier and the finals at Crufts

CL

AS

SE

S

C:

YKC/GROOM/JAN19 3

No persons shall carry out punitive correction or harsh handling of a dog at any time.

No substance which alters the natural colour, texture or body of the coat may be present in the

dog’s coat for any purpose at any time during the show or used before the competition.

The use of block chalk is allowed in the preparation of dogs

Block chalk and talc is allowed should it be necessary prior to competition but the chalk/talc

must be brushed out before exhibition.

The use of powdered chalk is NOT permitted

No substance which alters the natural colour of any external part of the dog may be present on

the dog for any purpose at any time during the Show or used before the competition.

Any other substance (other than water) which may be used in the preparation of a dog for exhi-

bition must not be allowed to remain in the coat or on any other part of the dog at the time of

exhibition.

Competitors may be disqualified at the judge’s discretion if the dog is harmed or distressed

(deliberately or accidently) during the competition

Breaking any of the above rules will result in disqualification from the competition.

If a member is disqualified due to unpaid fees, the placing does not roll down

DO

GS

Only dogs of twelve (12) calendar months of age and over on the day of competition are

eligible for entry into an YKC Grooming class.

Should you qualify for a groomer of the year class, you must compete with the same breed of

dog at Crufts

Dogs must be on a Kennel Club register to compete in a YKC Grooming competition.

This can either be the Breed Register or the Activity Register.

JUD

GIN

G

Y KC D O G G R O O M I N G C O M P E T I T I O N S

D:

E:

YKC “Groom Through” and “Clip, Trim and Strip” competitors will have 2½ hours to complete

their tasks – before beginning, the judge will take a look at your dog, so don’t start before the

judge says so.

You do not need to use all 2½ hours, if you complete the task before the time is up, let the judge

know and they will make their way over to you for their final assessment.

TIM

E L

IMIT

F:

YKC/GROOM/JAN19 4

There are no restrictions on dog breed, although it is highly recommended that Groomers bring

a dog that is suitable for grooming (you may enter a Chinese crested or Xoloitzcuintli [Mexican

hairless], but you will not be able to score highly in many areas of the competition. This also

includes dogs with very little hair such as Greyhounds etc).

CL

AS

S R

EQ

UIR

EM

EN

TS

The ‘Groom Through’ class is for groomers to show their understanding and skill required to remove

all dead hair and tangles from the dog’s coat. It is acceptable for the competitor to complete a small

amount of trimming to tidy the feet, ears and tail. This will form part of the assessment if

completed.

Basic trimming of feet, ears and tail for the purpose of tidying the coat, this should not be the

main focus of this assessment.

No dead hair remaining.

No knots or matts in the coat

Clean ears, eyes & teeth.

Nails of a suitable length

Classes will be judged on the following standards; handling of the dog, cleanliness of ears,

eyes, mouth and other sensitive areas, no loose hair or dirt should remain in the dogs coat,

dog should be bathed prior to the competition with no sign of shampoo or conditioner

remaining in the coat, skin should be healthy and claws should be short.

If the competitor is deemed to be completing work beyond the Groom Through class they

will either be asked to move to the Clip/Trim/Strip class or to reduce the work according to

the class.

SP

EC

IAL

NO

TE

G R O O M T H R O U G H

G:

H:

YKC/GROOM/JAN19 5

C L I P, T R I M & S T R I P

I: C

LA

SS

RE

QU

IRE

ME

NT

S

Show skills in coat removal by stripping, trimming and/or clipping the coat. Competitors may use either one or all of these skills in this class.

The handler will be judged on the ability they have shown with any grooming skills they have used to remove the coat. The coat should be even in length for trimmed and clipped coats

Stripped coats should lie flat and give a smart appearance.

Clean ears, eyes & teeth.

Nails of a suitable length

Classes will be judged on the following standards; handling of the dog, cleanliness of ears, eyes, mouth and other sensitive areas, no loose hair or dirt should remain in the dogs coat, dog should be bathed prior to the competition with no sign of shampoo or conditioner remaining in the coat, skin should be healthy and claws should be short.

If the competitor is deemed to be completing work below the Clip/Trim & Strip class they will either be asked to move to the Groom through class or to increase the work according to the class.

J:

CO

AT

SH

AP

ING

The judge for this class will not ask for a specific cut, or coat shaping, but they will be asking

that whichever cut you attempt, should be appropriate for the breed.

K:

SP

EC

IAL

NO

TE

There are no restrictions on dog breed, although it is highly recommended that Groomers

bring a dog that is suitable for grooming (you may enter a Chinese crested or Xoloitzcuintli

[Mexican hairless], but you will not be able to score highly in many areas of the competi-

tion. This also includes dogs with very little hair such as Greyhounds etc).

YKC/GROOM/JAN19 6

The finals will be held differently at Crufts 2020. The grooming competition will feature 2 pa-

rades and a prize-giving in the YKC ring. The actual grooming competition will be held in another

breed ring.

Each of the six (6) categories will have separate placings and prize-givings.

Groom Through

Under 12 - Over 12 - Over 18

Clip,Trim and Strip

Under 12 - Over 12 - Over 18

There will also be a prize for the Overall “Groomer of the Year” winner and Reserve for all clas-

ses combined.

HO

W T

O Q

UA

LIF

Y

To Qualify for Crufts, members must gain points by being placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a YKC

Groom Through or YKC Clip Trim and Strip qualifying heat. To guarantee qualification,

members must reach 30 points for the year. Any points gained will be for entry into Crufts

the following year.

Points are gained by the following:

FIN

AL

AT

CR

UF

TS

Q UA L I F Y I N G F O R C R U F T S

L:

M:

1st Place: 30 POINTS

2nd Place: 15 POINTS

3rd Place: 10 POINTS

All points are reset to zero (0) on 1st January of each year. No points are carried over from previous years.

The points gained are for the handler. If one member gains points with two different dogs, they are combined. Please be aware that a handler may only enter Crufts once in EITHER ‘Groom Through’ OR ‘Clip trim and Strip’. If the handler has qualified in more than one class, the handler may choose between one of the classes to enter at Crufts. The handler may only groom one dog in any qualifier or final.

If a handler cannot compete at Crufts, the qualification place is forfeited.