REGULATIONS FOR FCI INTERNATIONAL GROOMING
COMPETITIONS
(Effective from 01.01.2025)
Section 4 – FCI SHOW COMPETITIONS
4.1 PREFACE
4.1.1 The purpose of these rules is to encourage groomers to further develop and extend their skills by participating in FCI grooming competitions for purebred dogs, always with the aim of promoting and protecting the welfare of healthy, purebred dogs.
4.1.2 This regulation serves as the primary guideline for organizing FCI competitions conducted under the auspices of an FCI NCO. New NCOs embarking on the adoption of these FCI guidelines can tailor their own NCO regulations to align with FCI standards within a two-year timeframe, ensuring alignment with the objectives outlined by the FCI Grooming Commission in the regulations.
4.2 OBJECTIVES OF CANINE GROOMING
4.2.1 The objectives of canine grooming are:
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to maintain a dog’s health and cleanliness;
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to prevent illness by maintaining the healthy condition of skin and coat;
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to enhance the structural and anatomical strength of the dog;
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to respect the image of each breed according to its standard and maintain the correct techniques to perform each grooming task.
4.3 WELFARE AND HEALTH OF DOGS
4.3.1 The welfare and health of dogs must be of utmost importance and priority at all grooming competitions. Consequently, the organizers must provide a physically and mentally beneficial environment for dogs (for example, ensuring water is always available, dog not to be standing for too long, etc.)
4.4 ELIGIBILITY
4.4.1 Contestants must be a financial member of a state member body affiliated with ANKC and not under suspension at the time of entry or exhibition.
4.5 FCI CANINE GROOMING GENERAL RULES
4.5.1 Classification of Categories Five (5) categories are offered in the competition. There are three (3) levels offered within each category
4.5.2 The winners of each category compete for a BIS by Level and will be taken into consideration to decide for the overall BIS winner.
4.6 Classification of Levels
4.6.1 Level C – Apprentice
Apprentice refers to competitor who have less than 2 years of experience grooming.
4.6.2 Level B – Intermediate
Competitor who has more than 2 years and less than 4 years experience grooming
4.6.3 Level A – Advanced
Competitor who has more than 4 years experience grooming
4.6.4 First Full Groom Experience
Your grooming experience officially counts from your First Full Groom (FFG) experience. This experience is determined from the first time you independently completed a full groom on any breed, without any direct support or supervision.
4.7 Category 1 - Hand-stripping
4.7.1
a) Dog models must not be groomed for 30 days or more prior to the date of the competition except for the flatwork areas of stripping breeds which may be groomed up to 20 days prior the competition
b) All dogs may have sanitary and pads shaved prior to start of cla
c) Coat must be carded or hand stripped
d) Coat can be rolled up to 3 weeks before the show.
e) There should be no visible pink skin or bald patches
4.7.2 All Levels- Clipping / Scissoring are not permitted (see exemption breeds).
4.7.3 Chalk, such as terrier chalk may be applied prior to or during the time frame to aid in hand stripping.
4.7.4 Enhance the coat color chalk is permitted in Level A only and shall not easily transfer onto judges hands
4.7.5 Exemption Breeds (Clipper permitted)
a) Schnauzer - Ears, Head, Neck and inside of back legs only
b) Scottish Terrier - Ears, Head, Neck Only
c) West Highland Terrier - Ears and Neck only
d) Sealyham Terrier - Ears, Head, Neck only
4.8 Category 2 - Spaniels and Setters
4.8.1
a) Dog models must not be groomed for 60 days or more prior to the date of the competition
b) Thinning scissors are not permitted to be used on jacket
c) Thinning scissors can be used for blending ears, head, face, neck and rear
d) Chalk is allowed.
e) Clipping is allowed on face, neck, chest and ears.
f) All dogs may have sanitary and pads shaved prior to start of class
g)Finishing sprays are permissible in order to tidy up after time frame ends
4.8.2 All Levels - Thinning scissors are strictly not permitted to be used on jacket
4.9 CATEGORY 3 - Poodles
4.9.1
a) Dog models must not be groomed for 60 days or more prior to the date of the competition
b) All Poodles can have sanitary and pads shaved prior to the show.
c) All Poodles can have their face, feet & tail shaved prior to the show.
d) Topknot bubble must be done during the show time frame, bandings can be done prior.
e) Finishing sprays are permissible in order to tidy up after the show time frame ends
f) Hairspray may be used at any time throughout the show time
4.9.2 Level A
a) Clipper guide combs are not permitted
b) Show trims with spray up only (i.e. English Saddle, Continental or Scandinavian (Second Puppy).
c) Topknot bubble must be done during competition time frame
d) Hair extensions are permitted and shall be of the same coat colourof the dog and can be applied prior to the competition.
e) Extra 20 minutes will be added for show trims
f) Hairspray can be used to the topknot at any time throughout the competition time
g) A thin layer of hairspray can be applied to the topknot prior to the competition but must be able to be combed through at prejudging
h) Show collar to be applied before spray up.
4.9.3 Level B & C
a) Clipper guide combs are permitted
4.9.4 Trims permitted at your level are German Trim Lamb/Modern Trim Modified Continental
Sporting Trim Town and Country Trims or Any other Pet trims
4.10 Category 4 Other Purebred Dogs Scissoring
4.10.1 Dog models must not be groomed for 60 days or more prior to the date of the competition.
4.10.2 All dogs must be groomed according to breed standard and as presented in the conformation show ring.
4.10.3 Points are awarded for the skills and technique in the usage of scissors, balance, symmetry, and scissor finish.
4.10.4 All dogs may have sanitary and pads shaved prior to start of class.
4.10.5 Finishing sprays are permissible in order to tidy up after the competition time frame ends
4.10.6 Clipper guides:
a) Level A - Clipper guide combs are not permitted
b) Level B - Minimal usage of clipper guide combs are encouraged
c) Level C - Usage of clipper guide combs are permitted
4.11 Category 5 Pet (Freestyle)
4.11.1 For all FCI-recognised breeds that are to be groomed. In this category, the candidate may enterwith breeds that usually require stripping or scissoring. Salon-clip styling is very much dependent on the creativity of the contestant. There are no restrictive styles. Colouring is not allowed. Artistic clips amplifying the beauty of the dog form the basis of judging. If accessoriesare being used, they must not harm the dog’s health and they cannot be permanent.
4.12 Aspects that the judges must consider as they judge:
4.12.1
a) Respect for the current breed standard
b) The Quality of scissoring, clipping and/or hand stripping, and the groomers attention to detail Balance, symmetry and smoothness of the groom
c) The ability to camouflage defects and bring out the beauty of the dog
d) The suitability of the chosen style for the dog
e) The degree of difficulty the groom
f) Up to date with today’s modern grooming styles
g) Presentation of the dog to the judge
4.12.2 Respect for the current breed standard
Breed standards change and FCI has made several changes taking into account the health and the welfare of the dog as utmost importance. Groomers need to know the breed characteristics of the breed that they are grooming and are expected to amplify them
4.12.3 The Quality of scissoring, clipping and/or hand stripping, and the groomer's attention to detail.
Judge the skills and technique in handling scissors, clippers or blades and the results of such skills and the use of these tools. The more detailed the workmanship observed, the bigger impact it will have on the judging
4.12.4 Balance, symmetry, and smoothness of the groom
For example, the length of legs should be balanced with the depth of the body, length of body should be balanced with the height in accordance with the breed standard.
4.12.5 The ability to camouflage defects and bring out the beauty of the dog
For example, if an unwanted sloping topline is observed on the dog but the groomer can camouflage the defect this will be assessed positively.
4.12.6 The suitability of the chosen style for the dog
Depending on the balance of the dog, the chosen style should cover up the flaws and emphasize the positive features of the dog.
4.12.7 The degree of difficulty the groom
If a groomer can make a big change between before and after, or to handle a coat of poor quality by improving it in relation to the breed standard this will be rated positively.
4.12.8 Up to date with today’s modern grooming styles
For example, the style for grooming Miniature Schnauzers differs from those of 10 years ago as dogs improve in conformation. This allows for more volume of hair on the leg, two eyebrows and the beard become triangular instead of round.
4.12.9 Presentation of the dog to the judge
The health of the dog, muscle condition, condition of the coat, whiteness, etc., and at the end of the competition during the judge’s examination, the correct posing of the dog will be looked favorably for the judging
4.13 “Best in Level” and “Best Groomer in Show” Competitions
4.13.1 The organiser may also choose to offer prizes for the Top participant across each Level and then across each category as follows:
4.13.2 After the finals, the competitors will have a short period of time in which they can ask to the judges for a brief critique of the work they presented, so that they know which aspects they can correct in the future.
4.13.3 FCI Grooming Shows in Australia differ slightly from those overseas.
To be eligible for the 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪 award, Levels B & C competitors must compete with a breed that is permitted at All Levels of the competition. Only those entries that have qualified at All levels are eligible for consideration for the Best In Show title.