The Master groomer workshop and exams are… 

Gundog – Terrier – Poodle with the final dog being a Bichon (which will be incorporated at any of the other workshops once a member has successfully passed Gundogs – Terriers – Poodles The workshops and exams are offered in the described order above in a three year rotation. 

As there are four modules, at the end of each module, you may use in your advertising that you have “passed the “terrier” module towards the Master Groomer exams”. You are not entitled to advertise yourself as a “Master Terrier Groomer” as the term “Master” can only be used once all four modules have been successfully completed as below. 

Gundogs: English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, or a fully coated English Springer Spaniel. (light coated spaniels with not enough coat furnishings will be heavily penalised and it is unlikely a member can pass with the penalty). Theory exam will be based on the Gundog breed standards 

Terriers: One short leg – ie West Highland White Terrier or Scottish Terrier AND one long legged terrier – ie Airedale, Wire fox terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Welsh Terrier, and we will also allow a Miniature Schnauzer providing it has enough volume in the furnishings as well as length. (Terriers with not enough length of coat to make a dramatic change to the appearance of the dog will be heavily penalised and it is unlikely a member can pass with the penalty) Theory exam will be based on the Terrier breed standards 

Poodles: The ideal size would be a miniature poodle but a toy or standard will be allowed but the time allowance will be adjusted accordingly. (Poodles with not enough length of coat to make a dramatic change to the appearance of the dog will be heavily penalised and it is unlikely a member can pass with the penalty) Theory exam will be based on the Non-Sporting breed standards 

Bichons: A bichon is the only dog allowed for in this module. (Bichons with not enough length of coat to make a dramatic change to the appearance of the dog will be heavily penalised and it is unlikely a member can pass with the penalty) Theory exam will be based on the remaining breeds; Toy, Hound, Working, and Utility breed standards 

In terms of length… A gundog or terrier should have 10-12 weeks growth from an ideal trim A poodle or bichon should have at least 8 weeks growth from a hand scissored trim (longer from a clipped trim) 

All breed standards can be found on www.dogsnz.org.nz website under the “judges” tab and can be downloaded or viewed online. 

Only one module can be attempted per year with the exception of resits which may be attempted at any other exam venue by arrangement with the organisers. (Note practical exams may not be done during workshops). 

A pass mark is 75% or more from each certifier, with the combined score giving the total practical percentage (providing both are over 75%). 

If completing two dogs (Terriers)– EACH dog must be a minimum of 75% and cannot be combined, should either dog fail to make the 75% the failed dog may be re-sat at any exam venue but within 18 

months. Prior notice to be given to the organisers. Failure to sit the failed dog or dogs within this time frame then the examinee can only sit this exam again at the rotation time for Terriers.

Theory Paper Exam:

All theory papers will be sat at the completion of the practical exams as above and the pass mark is 75% or greater. If a theory paper does not pass with at least 75%, it cannot be attempted again for a 6 month period to allow for further study and learning. Resitting the paper will incur a fee of $50 per attempt. It may be re-sat at any workshop or exam venue after 6 months but within 18 months, prior notice to be given to the organisers to make sure they have the appropriate paper work available. 

Once all marks are over 75% – they will be collated, and you will be advised by email of your overall pass mark and percentages and your certificate will be mailed to you. 

If any of the above is below 75%, it is not a pass mark regardless of the overall percentage. 

If the participant has not attempted the theory exam within the 18 month period, they will be required to sit the exam in its entirety including the practical exam, and that resit can only be done in that particular breeds exam year. 

If a member wishes to improve on their practical results after passing their exam, they are allowed to sit the practical exam again during that particular breeds exam year at a cost of $100. 

Once you have successfully completed all four modules in the Master Groomer series, you will be presented with a Master Groomer badge and shall be entitled to use the letters NCMG (Nationally Certified Master Groomer) after your name while you remain a fully paid member of NDGANZ. 

EQUIPMENT – TOOLS – PENALTIES

Equipment is very important to a groomer. If a groomer is using a comb with badly bent and/or damaged teeth, they will incur a points penalty as this will directly affect the finish of the groom. 

Gundogs and Terriers may be clipped or stripped or a combination of both to give the desired result. The Poodle (excluding face, feet, tail) and the Bichon must be fully hand scissored using any type of scissor, hand shear, thinners, blenders or chunkers. 

Dogs which are brought to exams that are too short or in unsuitable condition, will incur a heavy penalty of points making it very difficult to achieve the 75% minimum required to pass. 

Handling and the comfort and safety of the pet is not to be compromised at any time. No work to be carried out after “tools down” has been called. “Tools down” means all tools. 

TIMEFRAMES FOR EXAM GROOMS 

Gundog exam – English Cocker Spaniel – 1 hour 30 minutes 

or American Cocker Spaniel – 1 hour 30 minutes 

Terrier exam – short legged 

West Highland White Terrier – 1 hour 15 minutes or Scottish Terrier – 1 hour 15 minutes And Terrier exam – long legged 

Airedale – 1 hour 45 minutes or Min Schnauzer or Wire Fox or Lakeland or Welsh Terrier 1 hour 30 minutes 

Non Sporting exam – Miniature Poodle – 1 hour 45 minutes 

Toy poodle (by size) – 1 hour 30 minutes Standard Poodle (bv size)– 2 hours 

Masters exam – Bichon – 1 hour 45 minutes 

PRICING

NDGANZ is proud to offer membership, exams and workshops at a very reasonable price, making it markedly cheaper than many other certifications around the world. 

All workshops, and all exams will incur a admission price of $100 each. If a practical module is not passed and the member wishes to resit at another time, it will incur a fee of $100. 

If a theory paper does not pass, it cannot be attempted again for a 6 month period to allow for further study and learning. Resitting the paper will incur a fee of $50 per attempt.

Sourcing Dogs

When sourcing dogs for exams and workshops, you should start with your own customer and friends database. Ideally the dog will be of sound body and mind, of good type and profile and with a great coat to work with. 

You will have the best result if you have groomed the dog several times rather than one you have only just met. 

Work with the owners and explain clearly what you need and what the expectations are. Remember that they often have to tolerate a shaggy dog at home that they may really want short, and make the transition as easy as possible for them. 

If you are travelling out of town, you could ask groomers in the area well ahead of time of they have something suitable and offer or ask about maintenance fees for them to prepare and maintain the dog for you and appreciate the price based on them losing revenue for grooming their customer. 

If someone prepares a dog for you over several months, and you have paid for that, there can be times when unfortunate accidents can happen and the dog no longer be available for use – such as emergency surgery etc. That is unfortunate but can certainly happen and the groomer who was preparing the dog for you should still expect to be paid. 

This is a private arrangement between you and the groomer and NDGANZ will play no part in that arrangement unless called on to act as an impartial mediator if resolutions cannot be made. 

No allowances can be made during exams for dogs which have fallen through for whatever reason.