General
The contestant can apply for the following categories:
Handstripping
Spaniels and Setters
Poodles
Other pure breeds scissoring
The contestant can compete as “Beginner” in several contests for 12 months even if winner. The second year he/she must enter “Intermediate” class even if not winner. In this class, all breeds and techniques are confused but Contest Organizers can divide the Beginner class into the four main categories. Moving to Intermediate after winning in one category does not allow the contestant to compete again in Beginner, even not in different categories.
The contestant can compete as “Intermediate” in several contests for 12 months even if winner. The second year he/she must enter “Open” class even if not winner. In this class, all breeds and techniques are confused but Contest Organizers can divide the Intermediate class into the four main categories. Moving to Open after winning in one category does not allow the contestant to compete again in Intermediate, even not in different categories.
Contestants that already have been competing in Open cannot compete in Intermediate anymore.
Commercial * - Contestants may enter with any FCI recognized breed to be groomed commercially: breeds that usually need stripping can be clipped or scissored; long hair breeds can be clipped or scissored. Poodles are accepted only to be groomed in Asian style or groomed in different breed shape as Bedlington or Kerry blue. Colouring is not allowed . In this category all breeds and techniques are confused.
* These Categories are not eligible for best in show.
In Competitions where “Open” and “Champion” class are scheduled, contestants will enter the one they belong considering their previous results
Per category, the contestant can compete in one of the two following classes:
Open - Can be admitted in “Open” class all contestants that never won their categories. Contestants will enter “Champion” class, where existing, after having won three gold medals in the same category and only if the victory was attained in a class of, at least, 5 contestants; each golden medal will be accompained by a certificate. Three certificates will allow entry to the "Champion Class".
Champion - Can be admitted in “Champion” class contestants that already won their category in that class and contestants that won three golden medals in Open Class in the same category and only if showing the three certificates.
EUROPEAN INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP
To participate in the Tournament contestants have to compete at least in three main categories.
Timing
Handstripping without clipper use
Small and Medium sizes 2 : 30 hours
Big sizes 3 hours
Handstripping with clipper use
Small 2 : 00 hours
Medium sizes 2 : 15 hours
Big sizes 2 : 30 hours
Spaniels and Setters
All Setters, American Cockers, English Cockers, Springers,... 2 : 30 hours
Poodles*
Up to 45 cm 2 : 00 hours
Over 45 cm 2 : 30 hours
* 15 minutes extra time is allowed to spray up top knot
Pure Breeds
Bichon, Bedlington 2 : 00 hours
Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier,
Black Russian Terrier, Bouvier 2 : 30 hours
Intermediate
All breeds 2 : 30 hours
Beginner
All breeds 2 : 30 hours
Commercial
Small and medium 1 : 30 hours
Big 2 : 00 hours
5 minutes comfort break must be given 1 hour after the start competition making the dogs get off the tables giving them the opportunity to strech their legs
Grooming regulations
The dogs will need to be washed (except for the handstrip dogs)
The ears and nails need to be groomed and the dog’s underbelly, genitals and hind quarters may be previously groomed for reasons of hygiene, according to the breed standard.
Any evident line or pattern should not be visible. Dog’s coat must have, at least, two months' growth; the hair must be long enough to allow the groomer to make a difference in its appearance.
Contestants competing with dogs showing evident line or groomed less than two months earlier should be aware that they will not have any chance to compete for victory.
All grooming techniques are allowed, as long as the chosen technique suites the type of the dog’s coat.
Category Handstripping / Spaniels & Setters
Stripping knives are allowed
Dog needs to be groomed according to the breed standard
Colored Chalk powder/block/spray and cream is allowed.
It is not allowed to use clippers except:
Scottish Terrier – chest, head and ears.
West Highland Terrier - chest and ears.
Cockers and Setters - chest and ears.
Schnauzer - chest, head, inside of back legs and ears
Category Poodles / Pure Breeds
The dog needs to be washed and fluffy dried.
Clipper guide combs are not allowed.
Poodle muzzle and feet should be shaven prior to the start of the competition.
Poodles must be groomed in a style recognized in the breed standard.
Poodles with top knots may ask for help from an outsider to hold the dog.
Coliring is not allowed
Contestants
On the entry form contestants must add the breed of the dog to be groomed and, for Poodle class, also what cut will be done. Signature in acceptance of all rules is required.
Contestants must be in the ring 30 minutes prior the start of the competition with their own dog and tools.
Contestants are not allowed to talk to other contestants and/or the audience during the contest.
Contestants are not allowed to use mobile phone and/or any electronic device during the competition.
If contestants are sponsored or work for a brand, will not be judges by a judge working for the same one. Only two other judges composing the Jury Panel will.
Chalk use is allowed, however Judges must be able to comb the entire dog's body during prejudging as well as at the end of the competition and no trace of it should appear on judges' hands after the judgment, as a disqualification can occur.
On Poodle hair spray can be used only on topknot, as the comb must slide smoothly during the judgment .
Too much hair spray and the use of texturing shampoo / conditioners can penalize Purebred Scissoring that cannot be smoothly combed..
Coat thinning comb should be used on Spaniel & Setter without exaggerating.
On Handstrip dogs, legs, underbelly and hears should not be done previous the competition.
Any indecorous or aggressive language used towards the judges as well as a dog handled in rough or unsafe manner may lead to disqualification.
Possible disqualification will be executed by the President of the Jury
When competition ends, Contestants should remove all hair, equipment and products from the grooming table as well as moving all stuffs on the floor under the table, to allow the judges an easy approach to the tables for the judgment
A comb should be placed on the table for the judge to use during judging.
Contestants may comb their dogs before and after the judging panel has evaluated their dogs.
Contestant should stack his/her dog to present to judge. Dogs not in judgment must not be kept stuckss
Any possible complaint must be in written, presented before the end of the event and will cost 25€
“Open Class”” competitors will need three victories, obtained in a class with no less than five contestants, to move up to “Champion”. Along with their award, winners will receive one certificate. The three certificates must be shown when registering for “Champion”.
“Champion Class” winners will receive, along with their awards, one certificate to keep and attach to any application to become EGA judge.
Organizers
Jury President: Each show organizer must appoint a Jury President who participate in the judging alongside assigned judges. The President is responsible for the timing and informing contestants and may appoint a spokesperson.
Judges Accommodations: Organizers are responsible for providing hotel accommodations, meals (from the night before the competition until departure) travel expenses reimbursement, and an attendance fee of € 200 per day for judging
Brand Affiliation: Judges associated with a brand cannot judge contestants sponsored or working for the same brand.
Minimum Competitors: Each class should have at least three competitors.
Equipment Provision: Organizers are to provide grooming tables and use EGA judging sheets
Competition Results: must be sent to the EGA Secretary
Adjusting Judges Based on Participation: If fewer than 40 contestants enter the competition, organizer can opt for two instead of three judges per class.
Provision of Dogs for Demos/Seminars: dogs provided for demos or seminars must be suitable for showcasing judges’ ability. Judges have the right to refuse if the dogs are not appropriate.
Additional Classes: Organizers may add extra competing classes like, “Asian Style”, “Model dog” or “Pair competition”. These can be judged by individuals not on the EGA judges list, provided they are accompanied by EGA judges.
Beginner and Intermediate Classes: It is mandatory for the Beginner and Intermediate classes to be judged by all-round judges. These judges should have the expertise to assess various breeds and styles, ensuring a well-rounded and fair evaluation in these categories.
Judges
Three judges will judge each category
Judges cannot judge their own relatives and /or employees.
Judges working for a brand cannot judge contestants sponsored or working for the same one. When happening, the judge will not judge the contestant in question, only the 2 other members of the Jury Panel will.
Judges are not allowed to leave the ring during the competition without the permission of the President of the Jury.
“Champion” class must be strictly judged.
Persons not included in the EGA judges list cannot be appointed to judge any main competing class.
Judging
Pictures of the dogs will be taken before and after the competition
The judges will examine each dog during prejudging and final judging and will take in consideration the following issues:
Suitability of chosen style to the dog.
The difficulty degree of the clip.
Ability to camouflage defects and enhance beauty.
Up to date with today’s modern grooming styles.
Respect for todays breed standard. *
The quality of scissoring, shaving and or stripping after passing a comb.
Balance, symmetry, and smoothness.
Presentation of the dog to the judge.
*Allowance to be made for International differences in styling for example USA or Scandinavian styles.
Judges can withhold awards at their discretion
Poodles
The quality of the clipper work whether the feet, face and tail are clipped with the appropriate blade. All clipper work should be smooth with no tufts of hair around the lips , eyes, pads of the feet.
Hand Stripping
There should be no visible pink of bald patches. The hair must be removed with the lay of the coat and without causing pain. Removing the undercoat by a carding tool is allowed only after the handstripping has taken place. Rolling coats are acceptable; however the work done in the ring must be sufficient to allow the groomer to make a distinct change in the dog’s appearance.
If clippers are used to trim the soft coat on the head or ears, the front of the neck, or on the insides of the back legs, these areas must be trimmed neatly and smoothly with the appropriate blade. The clipper work should blend smoothly with the furnishing or feathering rather than stick out. Excessive scissors use will be penalized.
Pure Breeds and Spaniels & Setters
If thinning shears are used: the areas that are thinned should blend smoothly and create a natural appearance.
The judges’ decision will be final and binding.
POINTS
In the four main categories (Handstrip, Spaniels and Setters, Poodles, and Other pure breeds) the judging system is based on points.
Each judge awards 10 points for the first place, 8 points for the second, 6 points for the third in each class.
Each judge will have his/her own place list. Adding up the points of all judges, the President of the Jury will obtain the final place list. Just in case of tie the President of the Jury will discuss with the judges to establish the place list.
Handling
Judges may give a warning to any competitor who is seen handling a dog in a rough or unsafe manner. A second warning will constitute disqualification.
If the competitor makes clipper burns, nicks or cuts he can’t be placed as a winner.
It is understood that contestants entering the competition accepted all the items of these rules.
HOW TO BECOME EGA JUDGE
Applicant judges must send application along with the certificates of their victories to the EGA Council.
The applicant judge must have won at least 4 golden medals in Champion class, with a minimun of 5 contestants, of international competitions in the competing class he/she wishes to judge as follows:
“Spaniel & Setter” with at least 2 different breeds.
“Handstripping” with 2 different breeds: 1 long legged + 1 short legged.
“Poodle” with 3 different cuts.
“Purebred Scissoring” with 2 different breeds.
The EGA Council will evaluate the validity of the request.
After the Council’s approval the applicant judge must carry out at least 5 assistantships in the competing classes he/she wishes to judge.
MASTER GROOMER CERTIFICATE
Groomers wishing to be evaluated on their professional skills and get a certification can ask the Association they belong to organize "Master classes" that will be judged by EGA President.
National Associations must inform the EGA secretariat about dates and name of the Examiner they would have giving the exam.
National Associations must inform all their own members about the date and the location of the exam, giving everybody the opportunity to attend the event in case they wish to.
The location can be a grooming salon.
The exam runs like a grooming competition. All people work at the same time (all categories confused, if different categories) on appropriate timing.
Candidates have to work on two different breeds per category:
Handstripping - one short legged + one long legged;
Spaniels - American Cocker + English Cocker or any Setter;
Purebred Scissoring - Bedlington + Bichon or any other;
Poodle - two different cuts accepted in dog show. Dogs must be groomed in respect of the standard.
Pet - one flat hair breed (Yorky, Maltese etc) and one curly hair (Poodle, Portuguese, etc. or any mixed breed or a terrier)
Candidates can pass or fail the exam. Taking the exam does not mean to get the certificate.
The "Master Groomer Certificate" is issued by the National Association,signed by its President and Countersigned by EGA President
Groomers not belonging to a National Association can ask the EGA President to take exams to get a Master Groom certification. If the request is accepted the President has the assignment to examine the candidates and issue the certificate.