Christian Manelopoulos Wins Show Dog Groomer of Year Award At Westminster

Christian Manelopoulos has received the 2007 Cardinal Crystal Show Dog Groomer of the Year award. The award was presented to Manelopoulos at the 53rd Annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards on February 9th, during the Westminster Dog Show. Sponsored by pet product manufacturer Cardinal Laboratories, the award was established to recognize grooming excellence and professionalism within the Show Dog Community.

A Greensboro, North Carolina-based groomer, handler and breeder, Manelopoulos specializes in poodles. He is the groomer and handler of “Remy,” a standard poodle who has won of 59 Best in Shows, and two consecutive Best in Groups at Westminster, including this year’s show.

Remy and his human team also won the title of Non-Sporting Show Dog of the Year at this year’s Show Dogs of the Year Awards. Originally from Australia, Manelopoulos is not only very talented, but also very productive, grooming 30 poodles at the 2007 PCA Specialty. 

Manelopoulos received the Show Dog Groomer of the Year Award on the basis of nominations and votes from his peers in the Show Dog Community. “Christian’s peers recognized him because he is an amazingly talented individual,” said Barbara Denzer, Vice President of Cardinal Laboratories. “His skill enhances the beauty of all the dogs he works with, and we’re honored to have him as a recipient of this award.” 

A grooming supply manufacturer for 60 years, Cardinal Laboratories started the Crystal Grooming awards in 1988 to allow the grooming industry to recognize the outstanding contributions and excellence of its members. Due to the specialized nature of Show Dog Grooming, the Cardinal Crystal Show Dog Groomer of the Year Award was created as a separate award that focuses on the Show Dog community. 

Dogs in Review magazine, published by BowTie and Inc. and edited by Allen Reznick, presents the Show Dogs of the Year Awards dinner. The event, which honors exemplary Show Dogs and their human teams, is hosted by BowTie Chairman of the Board Norman Ridker. Harrison Forbes, celebrity dog trainer and host of Pet Talk radio, presented the Cardinal Crystal Show Dog Groomer of the Year Award to Christian Manelopoulos.