GROOMING COMPETITION

There's no doubt that the grooming competition at the show is a crowd favorite as spectators watch the masterfully skilled groomers create perfectly groomed dogs to a breed standard or transform them into a work of art in the Creative Grooming competition.

Known as "Groom Texas®", the event brings educational seminars to our local Texas groomers and it also offers grooming competition. Although the seminars aren’t available to the general public, the competitions are. This show brings In world class groomers from all over the United States. Many of them travel the country from trade show to trade show accumulating points to achieve GroomTeam USA status. GroomTeam USA, Inc.® is a non-profit organization which encourages professional pet stylists in this country to maximize grooming education and skills, and offers them the opportunity to represent the United States at World Team Competitions. Team selection is based on points accumulated at various GroomTeam USA, Inc® sanctioned contests held throughout the country over a two-year period. Most people will see a contest ring full of groomers. However, what’s really going on is a multiexperience level competition. Groomers representing 3 levels of grooming experience are rep resented within the grooming ring. Levels include Novice, Intermediate and Open. Before the contest begins, judges will prejudge dogs. They are looking at prep work.

Proper drying, combing, brushing and nail length are all taken into consideration. Contestants are judged on Profile, Technique and Finish. Profile refers to how the outline of the dogs is shaped and balanced when looking at it from show side. Technique refers to the grooming tools and motions used to achieve the proper look on a dog. Techniques include but aren’t limited to scissoring, clipper work, hand stripping, carding, combing and brushing. Finish is the final appearance of the coat.

In addition to breed grooming competition, another crowd-pleaser is the Creative Styling competition. Creative groomers style works of art out of their dogs using stencils, chalk, temporary and animal-friendly dyes, and creative haircuts. All of this furry fun takes place Sunday in Hall A.