Creative Grooming Contests

at the The Tru North Grooming Show 2025

in partnership with

Our biggest competition ever!

Competitors of all experience levels welcome!

Compete in the Salon Creative, Extreme Creative, and Model Dog categories

Salon Creative Grooming Contest

Friday, November 21

Salon Creative shows off designs that can be completed within 1-2 days in a regular salon setting.

Great for beginner to intermediate level creative groomers and groomers with little to no contest experience. First-time competitors are encouraged to enter!

Extreme Creative

Grooming Contest

Sunday, November 23

In Extreme Creative, groomers will show off the full extent of their creative grooming skills including full-body dyeing, coat carving, creative styling, and so much more! Typically the design takes a longer time to plan and execute, with a lot more intricate use of color and fine details.

Model Dog

Grooming Contest

Sunday, November 23

Categories: Purebred, Freestyle, Creative

Model dogs are fun and unique way to be creative in grooming! Suitable for both breed standard trims and creative expressions.

Model dog entries will be on display all weekend with the winners announced on Sunday.

OPAWZ is a proudly Canadian creative grooming brand used in pet salons and grooming schools worldwide.

As one of the leading brands for creative grooming, OPAWZ strives to provide the very best in professional-grade pet-safe products. Our lineup includes permanent, semi-permanent pet hair dyes, and temporary color products, alongside shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments for pets. Our products are trusted by pet groomers for their safety and are frequently featured in pet TV shows, professional grooming competitions, and events as participants and sponsors.

Having hosted multiple creative grooming contests at Canadian Pet Expo in the past, OPAWZ is excited to partner with Tru North Grooming Show to bring the best!

Contest Schedule & Prizes

Friday, November 21, 2025

SALON CREATIVE CONTEST

The Salon Creative class is a special competition for groomers to showcase their creativity with designs and trims that can realistically be completed within 1-2 days in a salon setting.

For complete detailed rules, please visit www.opawz.ca/trunorth

JUDGE: Betty Huang

TIME: 2HRS

1:00 PM: CHECK-IN

1:45 PM: CHECK-IN CLOSES

2:00 PM: CONTEST START

3:00 PM: 10 MINS SALLY BREAK

3:10 PM: CONTEST RESUME

4:10 PM: CONTEST END AND JUDGING BEGINS

5:00 PM: AWARDS

This entry includes access to the Royal Canin Crown Classic Dog Show and the Canadian Pet Expo

PRIZE POOL

1st: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

2nd: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

3rd: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

Sunday, November 23, 2025

EXTREME CREATIVE CONTEST

Groomers will show off the full extent of their creative grooming skills including full-body dyeing, coat carving, creative styling, and so much more!

For complete detailed rules, please visit www.opawz.ca/trunorth

JUDGE: Betty Huang

TIME: 3HRS

10:00AM: CHECK-IN

10:45PM: CHECK-IN CLOSES

11:00AM: CONTEST START

12:00PM: 10 MINS SALLY BREAK

12:10PM: CONTEST RESUME

2:10PM: CONTEST END AND JUDGING BEGINS

3:15PM: AWARDS

This entry includes access to the Royal Canin Crown Classic Dog Show and the Canadian Pet Expo

PRIZE POOL

1st: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

2nd: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

3rd: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

Sunday, November 23, 2025

MODEL DOG CONTEST

Model dogs are fun and unique way to be creative in grooming! Suitable for both breed standard trims and creative expressions. Model dog entries will be on display all weekend with the winners will be announced on Sunday.

Divisions:

Purebred: Cut to breed standard trim. (toy poodle, bichon, schnauzer, etc.)

Freestyle: Cut to trims such as Asian fusion style, etc. Color may be used but must not cover over 25% of the dog.

Creative: No limit on style or the use of color! Accessories may also be used but the main focus should still be the model dog.

All registered model dog contestants can enjoy 10% OFF select model dogs and wigs on opawz.ca.

Please email [email protected] after signing up with the subject line "Tru North Model Dog Contest Entry"

There will be 1 winner and 1 runner-up per division.
There is no limit on the number of entries per groomer.
The model dog should not have been entered into a previous OPAWZ model dog contest.

For complete detailed rules, please visit www.opawz.ca/trunorth

JUDGE: Nancy Bryson

Model dog check-in times: Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday from 9am-3pm, Sunday 10am-1pm.

1:00PM: CHECK-IN DEADLINE

2:00PM: JUDGING

2:45PM: AWARDS

This entry includes access to the Royal Canin Crown Classic Dog Show and the Canadian Pet Expo

PRIZE POOL

Purebred

Winner: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

Runner-up: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

Freestyle

Winner: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

Runner-up: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

Creative

Winner: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

Runner-up: Trophy + Rosette + TBA

Contest Rules

Contest Specs

Salon & Extreme Creative Grooming Contests

— Equipment provided at contest venue:

• Grooming Tables (Groomers may bring their own tables)

✱ Please contact us ahead of time if you require electricity

— Acceptable breeds:

All purebred and mixed breeds of dogs are accepted.

Contest Rules

Salon & Extreme Creative Grooming Contests

Competition Conduct

• Only the contestant is permitted in the ring during the competition

• Dogs should not be left unattended

• Dog should be comfortable during the competition: • Grooming loop should be comfortably fitted, dog should not be roughly handled.

Props, accessories, decor objects

• Any additional costumes and/or accessories must not hinder the dog's ease of movement.

• Glues should be water-soluble and non-toxic.

• Use of duct tape, carpet tape or any other substance that pulls on the skin or hair to remove, is prohibited.

• Large or heavy objects placed on the dog are prohibited.

Final Presentation

• Participants will present their work at their tables.

• Tables provided must be protected from glue, glitter, colour, etc.

• Lights cannot be dimmed during performance.

• Smoke, confetti, streamers or explosive items are strictly prohibited.

Contest Rules

Model Dog Grooming Contest

• The model dog should not have been entered into a previous OPAWZ model dog contest.

• Model dogs must be fully groomed into and ready to present to the judges by November 23, at 2pm. No late entries will be accepted.

• Model dogs must be purchased by competitors before the show. You may enter as many model dogs as you like.

Please title your work, to be displayed alongside your model dog.

Presentation

• The model dog presentation and awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, November 23 at 2:30pm.

• Sign-in opens at 12pm. All competitors must be present at the contest ring with their model dog by 2pm.

• Props and accessories may be used during the presentation. Smoke, confetti, streamers or explosive items are strictly prohibited.

Judging Considerations

Salon Creative Grooming Contest

Entries will be judged on the following:

• Creativity and originality

• Technical execution and precision

• Overall visual impact

Technical Finish

• Correct usage of OPAWZ products: colour result is even and properly saturated

• Overall decorative application

• Quality of scissoring finish

• Clean clip lines

Well-executed design

• Easily recognizable design

• Shows or originality of concept

Unique use of colour

Difficulty

• Intricacy of design

• Overall amount of work completed during the competition’s allotted time

• Only minimal coloring may be applied during the allotted time frame. Cannot cover more than 40% of the body.

Judging Considerations

Extreme Creative Grooming Contest

Entries will be judged on the following:

• Creativity and originality

• Technical execution and precision

• Overall visual impact

Technical Finish

• Correct usage of OPAWZ products: colour result is even and properly saturated

• Overall decorative application

• Quality of scissoring finish

• Clean clip lines

Well-executed design

• Easily recognizable design

• Shows or originality of concept

Unique use of colour

Difficulty

• Intricacy of design

• Overall amount of work completed during the competition’s allotted time

• Only minimal coloring may be applied during the allotted time frame. Cannot cover more than 40% of the body.

Our Sponsors

The Tru North Grooming Show is Canada’s premier event for pet grooming professionals. A vibrant three-day experience packed with exciting competitions, hands-on education, exclusive show specials, and opportunities to connect with fellow groomers from across the country.