This online training and testing series is about understanding the coat types, the different styling components within the coat types, and the proper products, tools, and equipment to use on the various coat types.

The onsite practical training and testing are how technical skills are applied, how the overall technical finish is achieved, and how the expressions and profiles are created on man's best friend. It is about achieving these skills with safety and excellent sanitation and organization with well-maintained tools and equipment. 

Vivian Nash, the Nash Academy owner, a school with an international reputation for excellence in education, understands the value of a solid foundation about the canine to begin a new profession and knows the importance of continuing education to have a successful career. 

The UCCS utilizes the Nash Academy online courses for the program's theory portion and the International Judges Association for Dog Grooming Competition Arena, Salons and Schools for the onsite practical skills testing. 

Online Course - All About the Theory Why - How - When - Where
Participants study online and take online tests to confirm knowledge and understanding of study material. 

Onsite Session - All About Applying the Theory 
Participants review study material and take hands-on practical skills tests with a written test. 

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Onsite Testing

Designed for professional bathers, groomers, and stylists, the onsite evaluations train and test professional bathers, groomers, and stylists on their technical skills and knowledge of the various coat types found on man's best friend. 

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In the conformation ring, pure breeds are placed in groups by form and by function and judged on overall conformation.

In the IJA UCCS Certification by Coat Type arena, dogs are placed by coat types and judged by the bathing, grooming, and styling.  

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Coat Type Categories

• Sporting Coat Type

• Wire Coat Type

• Curly Coat Type 

• Multitude of Coat Types

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Coat Type Determines Technical Skills and Trim Styles

Coat type determines the proper technical skills, products, equipment, tools, and trim style and trims style components. For example, breeds with wire coat types such as the Lakeland Terrier and the Scottish Terrier are placed in the Wire Coat Type Category.  All breeds with curly coat types such as the Poodle, Bichon Frise, and Portuguese Water Dog are placed in the Curly Coat Type Category.

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Trim Style 

All pure breeds are placed in a Trim Style Group within the Coat Type Category. For example, in the Wire Coat Type Category, the Airedale Terrier, Irish Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Welsh Terrier, and the Wire Fox Terrier are placed in the Long Legged Terrier Trim Style Group. 

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Trim Style Components

All pure breed trim styles are evaluated to determine the type of trim style components. For example, pure breeds with Wire Coat Types dressed in the Long Legged Terrier Trim Styles have different head styles. For example, the Wire Fox Terrier and the Airedale Terrier have Eyebrows, Mustache, and Beard head trim style. 

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There are 10 different styling components on the canine. Each component must be completed correctly for the professional to achieve the correct expression and profile.

1. Head

2. Ears

3. Neck

4. Chest

5. Body

6. Rump

7. Legs

8. Feet

9. Tail

10. Sanitary

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Evaluation Considerations

Participants are evaluated on technical skills, expression and profile achieved, degree of difficulty of the trim style, and overall professionalism. Product, tools, and equipment knowledge are also part of the evaluation. 

 

Title and Rank

The score determines the professional's title and ranks on a specific trim style in a coat type category. 

• Novice

• Master

• Expert

• Specialist