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California Professional Pet Groomers Association, Inc.
CaliGroom South Competition
October 12, 2025
WAGGZ
910 Canal Place, City of Industry, CA 91746
This competition is for groomers with Novice and Intermediate grooming skills, as well as conformation dog show exhibitors and/or instructors with Intermediate styling skills.
Entry Fee is $85.00 per dog entered, $75.00 for active CPPGA members.
NON-QUALIFIED
Any groomer who has won any of the following shall not qualify to compete in this show:
Three (3) Best in Shows or three (3) Best All Around Groomer titles from an Intermediate Division at any show.
OR four (4) Group placements from any tiered show
OR six (6) 1st [placements from the Intermediate Division at any show.
A contestant placing and defeating someone in a regular class, in the open division, at any show shall not qualify for this competition.
A minimum of four contestants must be entered and judged for a class, 1st to be considered in level advancement protocols.
Award policies:
Provided sufficient eligible competitors are entered, 1st, 2nd and 3rd placements will be awarded. Awards will not be withheld unless there is a specific disqualifying factor as described in Warnings and Disqualifications.
Best in Show will be chosen from the 1st place winners from each of the Classes.
GENERAL RULES
Judging Considerations:
Balance, symmetry, and style.
Ability of groomer to create the best possible profile according to the dog’s body type, coat, and structure.
Scissoring: plush appearance without scissor marks.
Hand stripping and carding: smooth, natural appearance and proper technique.
Clipper lines: clean and free of irritation.
Difficulty: the amount of coat removed, pattern created or followed, coat type, texture, quality, and quantity.
SALON FREESTYLE RULES
Acceptable dogs:
Any dog of mixed parentage.
OR
Any purebred, CLEARLY NOT groomed to the breed profile style - Examples: Cocker in a sporting trim with scissored legs, Shih Tzu in a teddy bear trim, Poodle in a Bedlington trim, Asian Fusion styles.
Poodle face and/or feet may NOT be shaved.
Accessory application:
Up to two (2) bows are permitted.
Colored hair extensions are permitted.
Small amounts of color (1 inch or less) is limited to paws, ears, tail, and/or cheeks.
Time Frame:
17” and under – 1:45 (one hour and forty-five minutes) Over 17” – 2:00 (Two hours).
ALL OTHER PURE BREEDS
Acceptable dogs:
Any purebred dog other than Poodles, Freestyle dogs, or dogs in pet trims.
Dogs must be groomed to the breed profile as presented in the conformation show ring.
Sporting coats may be carded and/or hand-stripped.
Wire coats may be hand stripped.
For the purpose of this show, dogs that are traditionally hand stripped or carded may be clippered, but they must still possess proper breed profile patterns.
Time Frame:
2 hours for all entries in this class except for Airedales, Giant Schnauzers, Black Russian Terriers, and Bouvier’s, which shall have 2:15 (Two hours and fifteen minutes)
POODLES
Acceptable dogs: All sizes and natural colors of purebred Poodles.
Time Frame:
11” and under – 1:30 (One hour & thirty minutes).
Over 11” up to and including 17” – 1:45 (one hour and forty-five minutes).
Over 17” up to and including 23” – 2:00 (Two hours).
Over 23” – 2:15 (Two hours and fifteen minutes).
Poodle styling:
All pet and show poodle styles are acceptable, provided they respect the breed profile of the poodle.
Feet must be shaved.
Feet may be shaved prior to the competition start time. No extra time will be permitted if the task is not completed prior to the start of class.
Face and tail band (if applicable) must be shaved during the competition time frame.
A small mustache or goatee is permitted.
Scissored face styles, such as bichon or scissored type faces, are prohibited.
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.
PROCEDURES, POLICIES, AND PROTOCOL
Check-in procedures:
The competition check-in desk opens 1 hour prior to the start of the contest.
Contestants should arrive with their dog at the check-in station 30 to 60 minutes prior to the competition start time.
The check-in desk closes 15 minutes prior to the competition start time.
Contestants who have not checked in 15 minutes before the contest start time will not be permitted to compete.
All contestants must sign a liability waiver and acceptance of the rules prior to entering the ring.
Contestants will be assigned a place in the contest ring where they can set up their table and equipment.
Competition dog qualification:
Dogs should be clean, dry, and free of mats and tangles.
Nails should be clipped and/or filed, and ears should be clean.
Sanitaries and pads may be clipped prior to competition.
All styling must take place during the time frame of the competition, except for show Poodle topknots. 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.
All other grooming must take place during the contest time frame.
Dogs must be of an appropriate age for a competitive environment. (Suggested age is between 1 year and 10 years.)
Dogs must appear healthy, in good condition, and free of infectious disease and parasites, and show no obvious signs of pregnancy or nursing.
Dogs must not show signs of viciousness or aggression.
Dogs must NEVER be left unattended.
Dogs must be properly attended to while on the show premises. (water, exercise, etc.)
All dogs must be leashed when not crated or not being groomed.
All dogs must be healthy and properly vaccinated in accordance with regulations for the city, county, and/or state.
Prejudging:
The judge will evaluate, confirm, and note the following:
That the dog is entered in the correct class.
That there is sufficient coat growth to be able to present a DISTINCT difference in the appearance of the dog.
That the dog has been properly prepared for the competition. (Bathed, brushed, etc.)
The judge will confirm the proper Time Frame allowed for the dog.
During the Prejudging, the contestant may call attention to any issues concerning the dog, such as, but not limited to, ear infections, missing coat, moles, scars, healing injuries, etc.
Product applications:
Decorative objects or embellishments such as bows or bandannas are not permitted in Poodle or All Other Pure Breed Classes.
Coloring, other than to enhance the natural coat color of the dog, is prohibited.
Products such as hair sprays and styling gels may be applied during the competition time frame. Once time is called, spray is limited to “freshening up” only. Re-shaping, such as that done on a Kerry Blue jacket, shaping or patting the coat into place utilizing water or product, or shaping a show Poodle headpiece may not be done once time is called. Hair spray is prohibited on poodle tie-ups prior to the competition time frame and after the time is called.
Chalk, such as terrier chalk, may be applied prior to or during the competition time frame to aid in hand stripping or enhance coat color. It is prohibited to apply after the time is called.
Half-time break:
There will be a mandatory 15-minute break during the competition. The time and length of the break will be announced at the beginning of each class.
All contestants and dogs must proceed as a group to the designated break area.
All grooming and use of tools are prohibited during break.
Toilet/potty break opportunities will be available for dogs and contestants.
An assistant may be present to move dogs for the groomer or hold dogs while the groomer uses the restroom.
The judge or ring steward will be available to hold or move dogs if no assistant is available.
Any discussion regarding the dogs or the grooming is prohibited and could result in disqualification. Please instruct assistants not to comment about grooming.
The Ring Steward will announce the time to return to the competition arena, and the group will proceed together.
When all contestants have returned to their tables, an announcement will be made to resume grooming.
The break time is additional time and not included in the grooming time.
Competition end:
An announcement will be made at the end of the time frame for the class.
Contestants should remove hair, tools, and equipment from the grooming table.
A comb should be placed on the table.
Contestants may comb through their dogs after scissors down.
Contestants may use finishing sprays to freshen up their dogs after scissors down, prior to and after judging, but ANY reshaping or styling with hair spray, products or water is prohibited.
Contestants should stack and present their dog to the judges for evaluation.
Judges will evaluate the following:
Overall appearance and eye appeal of the trim.
Balance, symmetry, and style of the trim.
Purebred dogs’ adherence to the correct breed profile.
Freestyle: the ability of the groomer to create an attractive style with consideration to the dog’s body type, coat, and conformation.
Scissoring should be plush and without scissor marks.
Hand stripping and/or carding should present a smooth, natural appearance.
Clipper lines should be smooth, clean, and free of choppiness and irritation.
Difficulty factors will be taken into consideration. (Amount of coat removed, pattern created or followed, coat type, texture, quality, and quantity.)
ITEMS AND BEHAVIOR PROHIBITED IN THE CONTEST RING:
Cell phones, radios, and headsets.
No standing on tables or chairs.
Beverages must be in spill-proof containers.
Coaching by anyone at any time during the competition time frame or Half-Time Break shall result in disqualification.
Visual or written instructions are prohibited.
No smoking, Vaping, or flame devices.
No hair dryers
Holding crates are not permitted in the ring.
GROOMING EQUIPMENT:
Tables and grooming arms will be provided at this show.
Please bring a towel to protect the table if you plan on using chalk or similar products.
There are no bathing or drying facilities.
Contestants must bring cordless equipment. ELECTRIC OUTLETS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED.
Contestants must provide all their own equipment, including but not limited to grooming loops, scissors, clippers, blades, brushes, etc.
All personal equipment must be removed from the competition ring after each class.
All types of grooming tools are permitted, such as snap-on combs.
PROFESSIONAL IMAGE, CONDUCT, SKILL PRESENTATION:
Appropriate grooming attire and shoes must be worn at all times.
Open-toe shoes are not permitted.
Contestants determined to be dressed improperly will not be permitted to compete.
Professional manner and attitude must be maintained at all times.
Contestants must always maintain a safe styling station.
- Contestants must always practice kind and safe handling techniques.
- Dogs must NEVER be left unattended in the contest ring.
- Contestants’ technical safety skills must always be exhibited.
- Nicks, cuts, and clipper irritations are considered a breach of technical skill presentation and will be penalized to the extent of the infraction.
- Good sportsmanship must be displayed at all times in and out of the ring.
- Contestants must always conduct themselves professionally and show respect for fellow competitors, judges, contest dogs, facility, staff, and spectators while in or out of the ring.
- Any disrespectful or unprofessional behavior may result in the contestant’s removal from the contest grounds at the discretion of the show management.
- Professional conduct also applies to the care, safety, comfort, and responsibility of your contest dog and the contest grounds.
DISQUALIFICATIONS AND WARNINGS:
- Contestants may receive warnings or notification of disqualification for rule violations as described in any of the above-stated rules.
- The judge and contest management panel will determine if a rule violation(s) will result in disqualification.
- The judge and contest management will determine if an injury to the contest dog may result in disqualification, depending upon the severity and cause.
- Awards will not be withheld unless the judging panel determines there is a disqualifying factor.
- Clarification of any issues that may arise that are not covered by the rules will be determined by judge and/or show management.
CONTEST SCHEDULE
- There will be three classes in this competition.
- Three placements shall be awarded in each class.
- Poodle
- Salon Freestyle
- All Other Purebreds
- 8:00 AM – Check-in.
- 9:00 AM – Salon Freestyle and AOPB start.
- 11:15 AM Scissors down.
- Awards will follow immediately after judging.
- 1:00 PM – Poodle check-in
- 2:00 PM – Poodle Class starts
- 4:30 PM – Scissors down.
- Awards and Best in Show to follow immediately after judging.
Questions! Write us at info@cppga.org
- Property of CPPGA - revised 8/25