YKC GROOMER OF THE YEARQUALIFIER REGULATIONS

  • YKC Grooming classes which can qualify members to take part at Crufts are held throughout the year, these classes can be found at
  • Only dogs of twelve (12) calendar months of age and over on the day of competition are eligible for entry into an YKC qualifying Grooming class.
  • Dogs entered must be registered at the Kennel Club in accordance with Kennel Club Regulations for Classification and Registration B. If your dog is a rescue or crossbreed, the Kennel Club has an Activity Register for dogs that do not qualify for the breed register.
  • The first and second placings from each subdivision will qualify for the final at Crufts, provided there are at least three dogs competing in the division.
  • If there are less than three dogs competing in the division, only one member willqualify.
  • If there are more than five dogs competing in the division, up to three placings may qualify at the discretion of the Judge.
  • Members must be aged 6 years and up to, but not including 25th birthday.
  • There are six divisions of the classes, divided by age of member and class definition as listed below.

Under 12 (Handlers 6 years and up to, but not including 12th birthday) Groom Through
Under 12 (Handlers 6 years and up to, but not including 12th birthday) Clip/Trim/Strip
12 Years and Over (Handlers 12 years and up to, but not including 18th birthday) Groom Through
12 Years and Over (Handlers 12 years and up to, but not including 18th birthday) Clip/Trim/Strip
Over 18 years (Handlers 18 years and up to, but not including 25th birthday) Groom Through
Over 18 years (Handlers 18 years and up to, but not including 25th birthday) Clip/Trim/Strip
  • No persons shall carry out punitive correction or harsh handling of a dog at any time.
  • No substance which alters the natural colour, texture or body of the coat may be present in the dog’s coat for any purpose at any time during the show or used before the competition.
  • The use of block chalk is allowed in the preparation of dogs
  • Block chalk and talc is allowed should it be necessary prior to competition but the chalk/talc must be brushed out before exhibition.
  • The use of powdered chalk is not permitted
  • No substance which alters the natural colour of any external part of the dog may be present on the dog for any purpose at any time during the Show or used before the competition.
  • Any other substance (other than water) which may be used in the preparation of a dog for exhibition must not be allowed to remain in the coat or on any other part of the dog at the time of exhibition.
  • Competitors may be disqualified at the judge’s discretion if the dog is harmed or distressed(deliberately or accidently) during the competition
  • Breaking any of the above rules will result in disqualification from the competition.
  • If a member is disqualified due to unpaid fees, the placing does not roll down

YKC GROOM THROUGH CLASS

Show the understanding and skill required to remove all dead hair and tangles from the dog’s coat. It is acceptable for the competitor to complete a small amount of trimming to tidy the feet, ears and tail. This will form part of the assessment if completed.

  • Basic trimming of feet, ears and tail for the purpose of tidying the coat, this should not be the main focus of this assessment.
  • No dead hair remaining.
  • No knots or matts in the coat
  • Clean ears, eyes & teeth.
  • Nails of a suitable length
  • Classes will be judged on the following standards; handling of the dog, cleanliness of ears, eyes, mouth and other sensitive areas, no loose hair or dirt should remain in the dogs coat, dog should be bathed prior to the competition with no sign of shampoo or conditioner remaining in the coat, skin should be healthy and claws should be short.
  • If the competitor is deemed to be completing work beyond the Groom Through class they will either be asked to move to the Clip/Trim/Strip class or to reduce the work according to the class.

YKC CLIP/TRIM AND STRIP CLASS

  • Show skills in coat removal by stripping, trimming and/or clipping the coat. Competitors may use either one or all of these skills in this class.
  • The handler will be judged on the ability they have shown with any grooming skills they have used to remove the coat.The coat should be even in length for trimmed and clipped coats
  • Stripped coats should lie flat and give a smart appearance.
  • Clean ears, eyes & teeth.
  • Nails of a suitable length
  • Classes will be judged on the following standards; handling of the dog, cleanliness of ears, eyes, mouth and other sensitive areas, no loose hair or dirt should remain in the dogs coat, dog should be bathed prior to the competition with no sign of shampoo or conditioner remaining in the coat, skin should be healthy and claws should be short.
  • If the competitor is deemed to be completing work below the Clip/Trim & Strip class they will either be asked to move to the Groom through class or to increase the work according to the class.

YOUNG KENNEL CLUB RULES

The YKC will only accept wins from classes at approved qualifying events as listed on the YKC website. Any award from a show which has not been approved by the YKC Management Team will not qualify for Crufts. It is important that you check that the wording in show schedules corresponds with the wording printed in these regulations; if in doubt please contact the Young Kennel Club Team before entering.

YKC Competitions

In order to enter any YKC competition, you must be a fully paid up member at the time of entry and competition. If you enter a Crufts qualifier and you have not previously paid your membership fee then any award will be forfeited. Therefore it is important to renew and maintain YKC membership as current if you wish to participate in YKC competitions.

  • Please bear in mind that handler’s ages are calculated on the first day of Crufts not on the day of the qualifier
  • Members will be placed in the correct age group by the YKC Office.
  • Handlers who are 25 years and above by the first day of Crufts are no longer eligible to be a YKC member and can therefore not compete.

YKC/GR Issue 5August 2016

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