2025 global dog grooming competition: Clover Pup Salon owner wins big in South Korea

RACINE, WI — Clover Pup Salon is celebrating a major achievement after its owner, Allison Murphy, returned last month from the Korean Kennel Club grooming competition in South Korea, one of the largest grooming competitions in the world, with two second-place awards.

“Honestly I was terrified,” Murphy said. “It is a big moment for me of like, look at what you can do and look at what is inside of you. You’re more than just day-to-day Allison.”

Grooming competition tests skills

Murphy, who opened Clover Pup Salon in 2016, has worked in the pet industry since 2004. A month before the competition, the North American Model Dog Club invited her to join their team and become one of the three representatives of North America at the competition. She agreed and quickly got to work, spending the following weeks practicing the two grooming styles she would present in competition.

The event took place over two days and featured model dogs made of synthetic hair to eliminate the need for live animal transport and quarantine. Murphy chose to compete in the creative grooming categories, her preferred style because of the artistic aspects.

The competition featured around 350 participants on the first day, an open category for groomers of all levels, and nearly 200 on the second day, which was reserved for more advanced professionals.

“It was put together so well,” Murphy said. “Even with not speaking the language it was super easy to know what was going on, and yeah it was a really awesome experience. I feel silly that I was scared of doing it because it ended up being so incredible.”

The welcoming atmosphere also left a lasting impression.

“I was blown away by how welcoming everyone was,” Murphy said. “We have been to competitions in the states and people were more competitive, were more ‘I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to win’ kind of attitude. But in Korea everyone was so open and so welcoming.”

Murphy’s grooming journey began shortly after college with a job at a pet store. She went on to attend grooming school and worked at The Grooming Lodge in Arlington Heights. 

“With dog grooming, I found that I could work with the animals, and I loved that part, but I could also bring that creativity into it as well,” Murphy said. “I kind of took both of my favorite things and combined them into one job.”

Murphy always knew she wanted to open her own salon one day, and her boss at The Grooming Lodge encouraged her to do so. 

“Having that mentor who was behind me the whole way and was like ‘you’ve got this, I’m with you if you need help,’” she added.

Murphy is already preparing for her next international appearance: a grooming competition in the United Kingdom this October.

For more information on the Clover Pup Salon, visit their website, Facebook, or Instagram. 

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