The Royal Kennel Club has announced the winners of the inaugural Royal Kennel Club Dog Grooming Championships, a major new addition to Crufts 2026 delivered in partnership with Artero.
This is the first time professional grooming has taken centre stage at Crufts, with 185 dogs competing in Hall 8 across the four days and thousands of visitors watching the UK’s leading grooming talent in action.
There were five specialist categories: Poodles; Spaniels & Setters; Handstrip; Workshop (including Crossbreeds and Asian Style); and Pure Breed Scissor which were contested across four experience levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Open and Champion. Each class was judged by a panel of three experts, with the top Open and Champion winners progressing to the Best Groomer in Show finale on Sunday.
The Best Groomer in Show judged on Sunday 8 March was won by Hannah Rooney from Middlesborough with Frank, a Wire Fox Terrier in the Handstrip Champion Class. The final was judged by Melanie Winters-Holmes.
The Reserve Best Groomer in Show was Rebecca Moores with Tonic (Standard Poodle) who won from the Poodle Champion class.
Jannine Edgar, Chief Executive of the Royal Kennel Club, said: “We are incredibly proud to debut the Royal Kennel Club Dog Grooming Championships at Crufts and delighted to congratulate this year’s winner, Hannah, on their outstanding achievement. Their skill, creativity and commitment set an exceptional standard for the future of grooming at the show. This new competition beautifully highlights the artistry and expertise behind professional grooming, and we look forward to seeing it grow year after year.”
The Championships showcased the evolution of dog grooming into a highly skilled craft that blends technical precision, creativity and a deep understanding of canine wellbeing. With structured entry levels, capped numbers for early career groomers, and professional facilities supported by Artero, the event provided an inclusive platform for both emerging and elite talent.
Visitors were able to explore the full breadth of grooming techniques - from traditional handstripping to contemporary Asian Fusion styling - while gaining insight into the expertise required to present dogs at their very best.
The success of the first ever Royal Kennel Club Dog Grooming Championships signals the beginning of a new Crufts tradition, celebrating the artistry, dedication and passion of the grooming community.