By entering the competition, you also automatically compete for extra awards such as Best Overall Groomer, Best Team, and other special prizes that may be awarded during or after the show.

Beginners Class

For groomers with less than 2 years of experience in grooming and the specific breed they wish to compete with. Show experience also counts as experience.

• •
  12 months as a Beginner

  A competitor may compete as a Beginner in several competitions for 12 months, even if they win. In the second year, they must move to Intermediate Class or Open Class, even if they have not won.
• •
  One class, 3 places regardless of breed

  All breeds compete together and the judges select the 3 best. Only breeds falling into the 4 main categories are allowed (Handstripping, Spaniels and Setters, Pure Breeds, Poodles).
• •
  Moving up

  Transition to Intermediate after a win does not allow the competitor to compete again in Beginners.
• •
  Grooming rules as below

  For example, for a Poodle in Beginners or Intermediate, the timing may differ, but the remaining rules are the same.
• ✕
  The use of clipper attachments is not permitted.

Intermediate Class

For groomers with more than 2 years of grooming experience.

• •
  12 months as Intermediate

  A competitor may compete as Intermediate in several competitions for 12 months, even if they win. In the second year, they must move to Open Class, even if they have not won.
• •
  One class, 3 places regardless of breed

  All breeds compete together and the judges select the 3 best. Only breeds falling into the 4 main categories are allowed (Handstripping, Spaniels and Setters, Pure Breeds, Poodles).
• •
  Moving up

  Transition to Open Class after a win does not allow the competitor to compete again in Intermediate. Competitors who have already competed in Open Class may not compete in Intermediate Class even with a different breed.
• ✕
  The use of clipper attachments is not permitted.

Handstripping / Spaniels & Setters

• ✓
  Stripping knives are allowed in trimming classes.
• ✓
  Dogs must be groomed according to the breed standard.
• ✓
  For Terriers, (colored) chalk powder/block/spray and cream are allowed.
• ✕
  Clippers are not allowed, except for:

  Scottish Terrier – chest, head and ears · West Highland Terrier – chest and ears · Cockers and Setters – chest and ears · Schnauzer – chest, head, inner rear legs and ears
• •
  Breeds that must be handstripped but whose coat doesn’t allow it may compete in Salon Style Other Breeds.

Poodles / Pure Breeds

• ✓
  Dogs must be washed and blow-dried for fluffiness.
• ✓
  Poodle muzzles and paws should be shaved before the competition starts.
• ✓
  Poodles must be groomed in a style recognized by the breed standard.
• ✓
  For Poodles with top knots, participants may ask for external assistance in holding the dog.
• ✕
  Clippers with guards are not allowed.
• ✕
  Coloring is not allowed.

Salon Style PoodlesNew 2027

For Poodles of all sizes in commercial (salon) styles – the cuts seen in salons every day, e.g. Teddy Bear, Lamb or Bichon-style trims.

• ✓
  Clipper cuts, scissor cuts, short commercial cuts.
• ✕
  Coloring, Asian styles, accessories.
• ✕
  Poodles in a show clip recognized by the breed standard compete in the official Poodles category, not here.

Salon Style Other BreedsNew 2027

For all other breeds and mixed breeds in commercial (salon) styles – dogs seen in salons daily: e.g. Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Terriers, Schnauzers, Cockers, Doodles and mixed breeds.

• ✓
  Clipper cuts, scissor cuts, short commercial (salon) cuts. For trimming breeds, clippers and scissors are allowed.
• ✕
  Coloring, Asian styles, accessories.
• ✕
  No purebred dog in standard grooming is allowed in this class.

Design themes 2027 · Tour de EuropeNew 2027

In 2027, the creative categories follow the theme of the year. The theme is part of the judging: judges evaluate how the grooming, colors, accessories and costume express it, alongside the criteria of the category. Category rules (coloring limits, accessories, time limits) stay the same.

Asian Style

Judged on Asian appearance, creative flair, and grooming/cutting techniques. Open to all breeds and purebred dogs of all sizes, styled in typical Asian fashion: round, short-legged, conically trimmed legs and round faces.

• ✓
  Accessories such as bows, ribbons, decorated collars and clothing are encouraged

  If applied during the competition time and visible throughout.
• •
  Spirals only as an accent

  Spiral elements may be used only as a decoration within the overall trim, never as its main feature.
• ✕
  Colouring is not allowed on live dogs

  No products that change the colour of the coat. Colour belongs to the Model Dog categories.
• ✓
  Carving: max. 20% of the dog

  Carving is allowed, but only in a limited way – no more than 20% of the dog may be carved.
• •
  It must still be a groomed dog

  The finished work must clearly read as a groomed dog, with strong grooming lines.
• •
  2027 design theme: Orient Express

Model Dog Asian Style

The same rules as Asian Style, on an artificial model dog – except that colouring is allowed here (max. 20%). Live dogs fall under the standard Asian Style category.

• ✓
  Accessories such as bows, ribbons, decorated collars and clothing are encouraged

  If applied during the competition time and visible throughout.
• •
  Spirals only as an accent

  Spiral elements may be used only as a decoration within the overall trim, never as its main feature.
• ✓
  Colouring and carving: max. 20% of the model dog

  Both are allowed, but only in a limited way – no more than 20% of the model dog may be coloured or carved.
• ✕
  Only safe, non-toxic products

  Colours, sprays and accessories must be safe and non-toxic.
• •
  It must still be a groomed dog

  The finished work must clearly read as a groomed dog, with strong grooming lines.
• •
  2027 design theme: Istanbul. The Bridge Between East & West

Model Dog Creative

The competition is on an artificial dog (model dog). In 2027 it follows the design theme Carnival in Venice; within the theme, creativity is entirely up to you.

• ✓
  All grooming and cutting techniques are allowed

  Including colors, glitter, decorations, airbrush, creative accessories and costumes.
• •
  It must still look like a dog

  However creative or fantastic the style, the finished work must stay recognisable as a dog.
• ✕
  Only safe, non-toxic products

  Colours, sprays and accessories must be safe and non-toxic.
• •
  Protect your table and workspace

  Each competitor is responsible for covering their grooming table and the area around it, e.g. with a protective sheet or mat.
• •
  Judged on creativity, originality, technical execution, cleanliness and overall impression.

Model Dog StandardNew 2027

The competition is on an artificial dog (model dog), groomed according to the breed standard of the breed the model represents. A great first step into competing: no live dog is needed.

• ✓
  Competitors bring their own model dog.
• ✓
  All breeds that fall into the official categories are allowed.

  Handstripping, Spaniels & Setters, Poodles, Pure Breeds
• •
  Judged on correctness to the breed standard, technical execution, balance, symmetry and finish – as in the official categories.
• ✕
  Coloring, glitter and accessories are not allowed.

Breeders ChallengeNew 2027

For breeders and dog owners who do not run a grooming salon and groom only their own breed.

• ✓
  Dogs must be groomed according to the breed standard.
• ✓
  All techniques suitable for the breed are allowed

  Scissoring, hand-stripping, clipping where the standard allows.
• •
  The dog does not have to be owned or bred by the competitor.
• ✕
  Coloring and accessories are not allowed.

Duo Challenge

Two groomers work simultaneously on one dog. Judging is based on coordination and teamwork and technical execution (scissor cutting technique and balance).

• •
  Coordinated outfits and accessories are welcome but not required.

Team competition

4 groomers from any country, including mixed-country teams, may form a team. Team points can only be earned in the 4 official categories: Handstripping, Pure Breeds, Spaniels & Setters and Poodles.

• •
  1 member in each official category

  Regardless of whether in Open Class or Champion Class.
• •
  The best team scores the most points in the 4 official categories

  In case of a tie, the judges decide the winner.
• •
  Competitors may participate in only one team.
• •
  How to register a team

  Each member registers individually on the GrooMasters website. Once all are registered, one member emails info@groomasters.cz with the names of the team members, who competes in which class, and the team name (e.g. Hairy Groomers). The team is fully registered once you receive an email with your team number.

Grooming rules

• ✓
  All dogs must be washed before the competition.
• ✓
  Ears and nails must be groomed

  The dog’s belly, genitals and rear may be pre-groomed for hygiene according to the breed standard.
• ✓
  At least 8 weeks of coat growth

  Poodles must have at least 5 cm of coat length.
• ✕
  No visible line or pattern from previous grooming is allowed

  The coat must be long enough for the groomer to create a noticeable difference in appearance. Competitors with dogs showing visible lines or groomed less than two months prior have little chance to win.

Competitors

• •
  On the application, competitors indicate the dog’s breed, and for Poodles also the style to be performed

  Signature agreeing to all rules is required.
• •
  Be in the ring 30 minutes before the start for prejudging

  With your own dog and tools. The organization will take a photo of the dog and place it on your table.
• •
  Go to the photo studio immediately after the competition for after photos.
• ✕
  Do not speak with other competitors or the audience during the competition.
• ✕
  Do not use mobile phones or any electronic devices during the competition.
• •
  Sponsored competitors

  If competitors are sponsored or work for a brand, they will not be judged by a judge working for the same brand – only by the other two judges forming the jury.
• ✓
  Chalk is allowed

  The judge must be able to comb the entire dog’s body during prejudging and at the end. Chalk marks remaining on the judge’s hands may lead to disqualification.
• ✓
  Hair spray on Poodles only on the top knot

  The comb must slide smoothly during judging. Excessive hair spray or texturizing shampoo/conditioner may result in penalties if the dog cannot be combed smoothly.
• •
  Use a stripping comb on Spaniels & Setters without overdoing it.
• ✕
  For hand-stripped dogs, legs, belly and ears should not be pre-done before the competition.
• ✕
  Rude or aggressive language toward judges, or rough or unsafe handling of the dog, may result in disqualification

  Disqualification is carried out by the Head Judge.

End of competition

• •
  Remove all hair, equipment and tools from the grooming table

  Place the comb on the table so the judge can use it during judging.
• •
  Competitors may comb their dogs before and after the judges have evaluated them.
• •
  Present your dog to the judge

  The end of judging is announced publicly, after which competitors may release their dogs.

Judges

• •
  Three judges evaluate each category.
• ✕
  Judges may not judge their relatives or employees.
• ✕
  Judges working for a brand may not judge participants sponsored by or working for the same brand.
• •
  Champion Class must be judged strictly.

What the judges evaluate

Photos of dogs are taken before and after the competition. Judges evaluate each dog during prejudging and final judging, considering:

• ✓
  Suitability of the chosen style for the dog
• ✓
  Level of difficulty of the cut
• ✓
  Ability to mask faults and enhance beauty
• ✓
  Knowledge of current modern grooming styles
• ✓
  Respect for the current breed standard
• ✓
  Quality of cutting, clipping and/or hand-stripping after combing
• ✓
  Balance, symmetry and smoothness
• ✓
  Presentation of the dog to the judge
• ✓
  International differences in styling, e.g. USA or Scandinavian styles

Points

In all categories, scoring is point-based. In each class and category, 3 competitors are placed. Each judge awards:

• •
  1st place
  10 pts
• •
  2nd place
  8 pts
• •
  3rd place
  6 pts
• •
  4th place
  4 pts

Special awards

Before each competition, competitors may request a comment from the judge or all judges; it is provided after each class in a designated area.

• •
  Best in Show

  Selected from the 10 first-place class winners of the official categories.
• •
  Best Overall Groomer

  The individual competitor with the most points in the official categories. In case of a tie, the competitor with the highest placement in the individual official categories wins; if still tied, the Organizer decides.
• •
  Best Team

  The team with the most points in the 4 official categories (see Team competition).
• •
  PGACR Trophy – Best Makeover

  Judges select the best before/after transformation. In case of a tie, the PGACR president decides.
• •
  Best Czech GroomerNew 2027

  The Czech competitor with the most points in the official categories; tie-break as Best Overall Groomer.
• •
  Rising StarNew 2027

  Selected by the judges from all competitors.
• •
  Best Creative Groomer (Tour de Europe Theme)New 2027

  The best interpretation of the 2027 design themes across Asian Style, Model Dog Asian Style and Model Dog Creative, selected by the judges.
• •
  Cutest Dog AwardNew 2027

  Selected by the judges from all competitors.

Finalists and award ceremony

Finalists are announced after each competition segment. Exact times are in the competition schedule on groomasters.cz.

• •
  Saturday morning competition

  Finalists announced around noon.
• •
  Saturday afternoon competition

  Finalists revealed at the end of the competition, followed by the awards for Beginners Class, Intermediate Class, Salon Style Poodles, Salon Style Other Breeds and Model Dog Asian Style (18:30).
• •
  Sunday morning competition

  Finalists announced around noon.
• •
  Sunday 18:30 – award ceremony

  All other categories and the special awards. Finalists of the official categories must return on Sunday; attendance at the ceremony is mandatory to receive their prizes.

Declaration

• •
  As a competitor, I confirm that I have read the competition rules and regulations and agree to abide by them

  Competitors entering dogs with less than 8 weeks of coat growth or visible lines from previous grooming will be penalized and have a low chance of winning.
• •
  The organizer has the exclusive right to use any images (photo or video), data and names of competitors for the promotion of future events.

Registration fee

• •
  Early bird registration until 6 January 2027
  80 EUR
• •
  From 7 January 2027
  88 EUR
• ✕
  Registrations not paid by the due date will be canceled.
• •
  After the registration deadline, fees increase by 20% – the on-site price.
• ✕
  Registration fees are non-refundable.