Recommended Amendments to the WCA Dual Futurity and Maturity Program

(This is part two of a two-part series. Part one can be reviewed here.)

On the topic that the WCA Dual Futurity and Maturity Program is in dire need of an update, the below comments and suggestions are offered for review and discussion. It is my hope that someday, these recommendations make their way to those who are in a position to adopt them, either partially or in whole.

Below is the current WCA Dual Futurity and Maturity Program Breeder and Owner Handbook (field portion only). References below to “the Futurity” are meant to specify the field portion of the Futurity program. Commentary is written in green bold text. Program modifications are written in red text in a tracked-change format.

Methodology that led to these recommended revisions:

1. Open discussion with current Field Futurity participants
2. Review of 9 previous years of Field Futurity results
3. Review sample year (2022) of Field Futurity fees collected
4. Review of other pointing breed Field Futurity programs
   1. German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America (GSPCA)
   2. American Brittany Club (ABC)
   3. National German Shorthaired Pointer Association (NGSPA)
5. Comparison of WCA program to that of GSPCA, ABC, and NGSPA
6. Review of existing WCA Dual Futurity and Maturity Program

Overview of major changes:

1. Change in eligibility date(s) based on whelp date
2. Reduction of events held (moratorium on Western and Eastern Field Futurities)
3. Overhaul of performance standard
4. Increase in nomination and forfeit fees
5. Extension of nomination and forfeit due dates
6. Elimination of late fees
7. Increase in award amounts
8. Elimination of subsequent dollars spent out of pocket
   1. Dam owners, sire owners, Field Futurity and Dual Futurity winners should not have to pay additional funds to obtain their earned awards and trophies

– Kim/Barrett Weimaraners

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Cover Letter

Greetings,

We hope you find the Weimaraner Club of America (WCA) Futurity and Maturity Program rewarding whether you are:

• An experienced breeder,
• A first time breeder,
• Just considering breeding,
• A new owner or
• A long time Weimaraner owner

And, whether you are interested in field, bench or both.

The Futurity and Maturity program is designed to encourage and reward the breeding of Weimaraners who most closely conform to the approved AKC breed standard and its intent. Such recognition is important to the breed for continued breed improvement.

The program began in 1956 with a Field Futurity followed by a Bench Futurity program beginning in 1957. (Field events recognize dogs based on their ability to find, point and retrieve game potential as a field dog, while bench events recognize dogs on their conformation.) The programs, with their rich history, were combined in 1985. This rich history needs to be published somewhere (website or magazine?) so people can read up on it. In 2011 the WCA Board of Directors appointed a committee of knowledgeable and committed Weimaraner breeders and owners to take a critical look at the program and recommend changes needed to take the program into the future. This needs to happen again in 2023. This program is the result of the hard work of that dedicated committee.

The program not only rewards the efforts of the breeder but also the owners who are responsible for fulfilling their Weimaraners’ unique potential. Recognition is also given to the owner of the sire for his genetic contribution to the breeding.

The Futurity and Maturity program provides the breeder with the opportunity to nominate their litter which is a statement of faith for their breeding program. The WCA rewards successes in both bench and field venues, with the ultimate achievement being success in both. If success in both bench and field venues is considered the ultimate achievement, an award of SUBSTANTIAL value should be given to the breeders and owners of the dog winning both the show and field Futurity. The Futurity and Maturity Program recognizes the dedication of participating breeders and owners in striving to achieve this excellence.

This booklet is designed for the breeders and owners of Weimaraners interested in the Futurity and Maturity Program. As with many activities, the Futurity and Maturity program uses unique terminology so please read the section called Definitions.

On an ongoing basis the Futurity Administrator is responsible for monitoring the results of the program so any suggestions to improve the program should be directed to the Futurity Administrator. The Futurity Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day management of the program and should be able to handle your questions. The WCA should designate someone, if not the Futurity Administrator, with the task of marketing the Futurity program. See the WCA Website for the Futurity Administrator’s current contact information. Additionally, any member of the Board of Directors is interested in your comments and suggestions for the program. The WCA Board of Directors reviews the program for revisions at least every three years.

Warmest regards,

WCA Board of Directors

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WCA Dual Futurity and Maturity Program

Purpose

The purpose of the Futurity and Maturity Program is to recognize thoughtful and purposeful breeding and ownership to advance the Weimaraner.

Definitions

The following words in bold have specific meaning in the Futurity and Maturity Program. When the word is used in the document it is capitalized to indicate that it is a defined term.

AKC – American Kennel Club.

AKC Registration Certificate – The document provided by the AKC listing a dog’s name, breed, color, sire, dam, breeder, owner, AKC number, sex and date of birth. Futurity and Maturity eligibility requires Full Registration, not Limited Registration.

Bench Show (or Conformation Dog Show) – A competitive exhibition for dogs at which the dogs are judged in accordance with an established standard of perfection.

Breeder – A person who breeds dogs. Under AKC and WCA rules the breeder is the owner (or if the Dam was leased, the lessee) of the Dam when the Dam was bred. This is the person or a person listed on the AKC Registration Certificate of the Get (puppies) and is considered the breeder of record. In the event there are multiple breeders, the first person listed on the AKC Registration Certificate is the person that will receive trophies and awards provided by the WCA.

Brace – A pair of dogs (2 dogs).

Bye – A single dog in competition.

Dam – The female parent of a dog.

Derby Stake – An AKC performance standard used in Field Trials.

Disqualifying Fault –A condition that makes a dog ineligible for competition. The AKC provides disqualifications that apply to all breeds, see The Complete Dog Book for a list of those conditions. The WCA provides the following disqualifying faults in the Weimaraner breed standard:

• Dogs measuring at the withers less than 24 inches, or more than 28 inches,
• Bitches measuring at the withers less than 22 inches, or more than 26 inches,
• A distinctively long coat
• A distinctively blue or black coat.

The Futurity and Maturity Program provides that no cryptorchid (unilateral or bilateral), spayed or neutered dogs are eligible to compete.

Dual Champion – A dog that has both a field and bench championship.

Field Trial (pointing) – A competition in which pointing breeds are judged on their ability and style in finding, pointing and retrieving game overall prospect as a field dog.

Futurity – A non-regular competition at a designated specialty show or field trial for young dogs that recognizes and awards dogs who most closely conform to the approved AKC breed or performance standard. The competition requires a series of nominations from a Breeder and payment of associated fees by the Breeder and/or owner of the Get prior to the date on which the Futurity is judged.

Futurity Year – Is a calendar year.

Get – The offspring from the breeding of the Dam to the Sire.

Maturity – A non-regular competition at specialty shows for dogs following the year of their Futurity. Dogs must be nominated for the Maturity when nominated for the Futurity to be eligible.

Member in Good Standing –A person who has paid annual membership dues for the current year and who is not suspended from the WCA or AKC membership, nor has any debt with the WCA.

Owner of the Get – The owner of the Get as listed on the AKC Registration Certificate. In the event there are multiple owners, the first person listed on the AKC Registration Certificate that is a Member in Good Standing is the person that will receive trophies and awards provided by the WCA.

Owner of the Sire – Owner of the Sire when Dam was bred. In the event there are multiple owners, the first person listed on the AKC Registration Certificate that is a Member in Good Standing is the person that will receive trophies and awards provided by WCA. See below:

Owner of the Sire – Frozen Semen: If the Owner of the Sire is deceased when the Dam is bred, the owner of the semen shall be entitled to receive the Owner of the Sire trophy provided that the owner of the semen provides proof that the semen was transferred to him/her by valid legal document such as the Decedent’s Will or through a duly notarized legal document. If the owner of the semen is, through inheritance, an immediate family member, spouse, son, daughter, they shall be eligible for the Sire trophy provided they are a WCA Member in Good Standing and all other WCA requirements are met. Since they were not the legal owner or co-owner of the sire, the right of transfer does not apply. In no event, however, shall any person(s) be entitled to receive the Owner of the Sire trophy if he/she acquired title to the frozen semen other than through the legal wishes of the deceased owner of the sire. What is the justification for this policy? If someone purchased semen for personal and future use in their breeding program, shouldn’t they get recognized if/when their dogs win the Futurity? Isn’t that what the spirit of the Futurity award is all about? 

Premium List – A document published by the club hosting an event giving details of the event and providing an entry form. This term does not appear in the Futurity and Maturity Program Handbook.

Sire – The male parent of a dog.

Stake – At a Field Trial, a category in which dogs based on their eligibility compete. It may be an age or skill level.

Versatile Hunting Dog – A dog bred and trained to hunt and point game, to retrieve on both land and water and to track wounded game on both land and water. AKC recognizes the Brittany, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Vizsla, Weimaraner and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon as versatile breeds. This term does not appear in the Futurity and Maturity Program Handbook.

Whelping – The act of giving birth to puppies or Get.

Whelping Date – The birth date of the puppies or Get.

Futurity Dates

A dog may only be entered in the Field Futurity once between the age of 6 months and 42 months. 

A dog whelped January 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2024 (11 months of age)
• December 2025 (23 months of age)
• December 2026 (35 months of age)

A dog whelped February 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2024 (10 months of age)
• December 2025 (22 months of age)
• December 2026 (34 months of age)

A dog whelped March 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2024 (9 months of age)
• December 2025 (21 months of age)
• December 2026 (33 months of age)

A dog whelped April 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2024 (8 months of age)
• December 2025 (20 months of age)
• December 2026 (32 months of age)

A dog whelped May 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2024 (7 months of age)
• December 2025 (19 months of age)
• December 2026 (31 months of age)

A dog whelped June 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2024 (6 months of age)
• December 2025 (18 months of age)
• December 2026 (30 months of age)

A dog whelped July 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2025 (17 months of age)
• December 2026 (29 months of age)
• December 2027 (41 months of age)

A dog whelped August 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2025 (16 months of age)
• December 2026 (28 months of age)
• December 2027 (40 months of age)

A dog whelped September 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2025 (15 months of age)
• December 2026 (27 months of age)
• December 2027 (39 months of age)

A dog whelped October 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2025 (14 months of age)
• December 2026 (26 months of age)
• December 2027 (38 months of age)

A dog whelped November 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2025 (13 months of age)
• December 2026 (25 months of age)
• December 2027 (37 months of age)

A dog whelped December 1, 2024 will be eligible:

• December 2025 (12 months of age)
• December 2026 (24 months of age)
• December 2027 (36 months of age)

As shown above, this proposal allows an owner to select which Field Futurity they want to compete in. 

A case can be made for advantages and/or drawbacks of a Futurity-nominated dog born in any month. Success will hinge on a breeding conducted to target optimal age and development level for a Futurity entry.

A dog whelped on June 1st could theoretically be eligible when she’s 6 months old. It’s unlikely, however, that her owner would enter her at that age. It’s more likely that she would participate the following year at the age of 18 months if she is developed to a level where her owner is confident that she will point birds and not rip them out. If she’s slower to develop and the owner chooses to wait until the final year, she would run at the age of 30 months. 

A dog whelped on March 1st could be eligible when he’s 9 months old. If he’s a savant, he could very well be competitive. If he breaks out early and easily, he could come back at the age of 21 months, or fully primed and polished at the age of 33 months. 

One might say a breeder would have to game the system to make it work. Let’s be real: Every sport is a game, and there is always strategy in success. 

Imagine this: Seven breeder/owner teams show up to the 2024 Futurity. Owner # 1 brings an 11 month old puppy that’s been running since the day he was born. Owner # 2 has a 3 year old dog who’s been standing birds for over 9 months now. Owner # 3 shows up with a 30 month old dog who’s running really well and hitting objectives, unfortunately notquitestandingeverytime, but it’s the final eligibility year, and the dog is the best one he’s ever owned. Owner # 4 is at Nationals to run a dog in the Grand Championship, but is planning to put in the dog’s daughter, a two year old who is proving to be much better than her mother. Owner # 5 bought his dog from a breeder who doesn’t field trial, but he’s been told his dog runs out of the country and there are field trial dogs in his pedigree. Owner # 6 has a dog that is the granddaughter to a 2x NFC/AFC and is banking on the fact that this puppy has a lot to show the world. Owner # 7 is debuting a Schultz singleton out of the last known straw of available semen and is hoping to show everyone what he can do.

Anybody can win. But the winner will be the dog who beats everyone else’s best prospect that year. If Owner # 5 wins, whoever bought him in the Calcutta will walk away with a fortune. If Owner # 4 wins, she can say that this is the third generation in a row of breeding that has resulted in a Futurity winner. If Owner # 3 wins with an impressive limb find in front of the entire gallery, he can get that photo memorialized in a painting so that someday, that painting could be hung next to his Grand Championship win. Isn’t THIS what the Futurity is all about? 

Eligibility and Nominations

General Eligibility and WCA Membership Requirements

• The Futurity and Maturity Program is open to all American Kennel Club (AKC) registered and AKC recognized foreign registered Weimaraners that have no disqualifying faults.
• Breeders of the Get need to be Members in Good Standing when the Dam is nominated and the Get competes. This is with the exception of when an owner or co-owner that was in good standing is now deceased.
• Owners and co-owners of the Get need to be Members in Good Standing when submitting puppy nomination forms and when the Get competes. This is with the exception of when an owner or co-owner that was in good standing is now deceased.
• The Owner of the Sire is not required to be a member of the WCA for a litter to be nominated, but must be a WCA Member in Good Standing at the time of the event to receive awards. See Definitions, page 3; “Owner of the Sire.”
• If a Futurity nominated Get is sold, eligibility will continue to the new owner, provided the new owner or owners are Members in Good Standing (see Change in Ownership of Get).
• To be eligible to compete in a Maturity event the Get must have been eligible to compete in a Futurity event.

Field – Nomination of Dam’s Litter

• A Dam’s litter shall be nominated on or before 30180 days after the Whelping Date by completing a nomination form provided by the Field Futurity Administrator, or available on the Website plus the payment of the $40.00$100.00 nomination fee for each co-breeder. Increasing the length of time available to nominate a litter encourages nomination of an otherwise unnominated litter due to a breeder forgetting to submit the nomination. I also believe that the Field Futurity Program needs to be split off from the current Dual Program, and that a member volunteer is needed to administer the Field Futurity Program.
  • A Dam’s litter nomination after the 30 days will be accepted for an additional 30 days provided the $40.00 nomination fee is accompanied by a $250.00 late fee for a total of $290.00. With 6 months to nominate a litter, there is no need to consider the collection of a late fee.

Field – Get Fees and Forms

I believe that breeders are the backbone of the Field Futurity Program. I also believe that great incentives, in whatever form we can come up with, is what is needed right now to entice breeders to nominate litters and get puppies sent to the right homes where they will get a chance to be developed and run.

The most obvious incentive for me is to follow the format of what other pointing breed clubs have done; give the cash proceeds back to the Winners. I’m certain there are other great incentives that could be considered to achieve the same goal, and I’d love to hear ideas. In the meantime, the following is a restructure of Field Futurity fees required to support the awards and trophies proposal that follows.

• For each individual Get a $30.00$100.00 fee for each co-owner and puppy nomination form is due on or before the last day of the month the Get turns 46 months old. If the nomination form and fee are not timely submitted Get may be made eligible by submitting the puppy nomination form and:
  • Up to the last day of the month the Get turns 5 months oldOctober 1 of the year the Get is anticipated to run in his/her Field Futurity, a $30.00$100.00 fee for each co-owner plus $10.00$100.00 late fee for each co-owner. Or,
  • By the first day of the month, which is two months prior to the event date, a $30.00 fee plus a $100.00 late fee.
  • Except for the following, a puppy nomination form and fee is not accepted until the Dam’s litter nomination, including fees, have been paid: 
    • Any owner who is a member in good standing and is not the dog’s breeder may participate in the Field Futurity with a dog whose litter was not Futurity nominated by the breeder. The owner must pay a one-time fee of $400.00 up to October 1 of the year the dog is anticipated to run in his/her Field Futurity. A $100.00 is added for each co-owner.
      • If the dog wins the Field Futurity, the owner(s) of the dog’s sire and dam are ineligible to collect the awards allocated for that dog’s win. Those monies will go back into the Field Futurity General Fund. The Field Futurity General Fund should include a reserve that can cover awards that are anticipated to be earned on an occasional basis (like the Dual Futurity Award or Dual Futurity Winner Award, which is proposed herein to be a substantial award). 
• A copy of the AKC Registration Certificate (Eligibility requires Full Registration, not Limited Registration) or AKC recognized foreign registration must be submitted to the Futurity Administrator.
  • If a copy of the registration certificate is not on file with the Futurity Administrator prior to January 1 of the year of competition, a $10 per month late fee must accompany the submission of the AKC Registration Certificate.The premium for the event hosting the Field Futurity should specify that a current copy of the AKC Registration Certificate is required as part of the entry submittal. This eliminates the Field Futurity Administrator spending time every month to chase down the whereabouts of an AKC Certificate.
• When the puppy nomination form is processed, Breeders are emailed a copy of the Futurity receipt at the same time as the owner(s). The receipt shows the puppy’s Futurity status.
• Breeders are also notified of the Get’s eligibility to compete, including Owner membership status, during January each October of the Get’s Futurity Years.

Form of Payment of Fees

• All fees required under the Futurity and Maturity program may be made by check mailed to the Futurity Administrator, Visa, MasterCard, Amex or PayPal or online through the WCA website. This does not include entry fees for events as that form of payment is determined by the club hosting the event.
• All fees are to be paid in U.S. funds.
• All fees are nonrefundable.

Submitting Forms and Date Determination for Deadlines

• Forms may be submitted by mail or email to the current Field Futurity Administrator.
• When fees are paid by credit card, information may be submitted by U.S. mail, email (email is not secure) or by calling the Field Futurity Administrator to give credit card information.
• Dates for determining fulfillment of deadlines are determined by the:
  • Postmark for U.S. Mail;
  • Date sent for all overnight carriers,; or
  • Sent date for emails

Field – Change in Ownership of the Get

• At the time puppy fees are paid the owner is the person or persons listed on the puppy nomination form.
  • If there is a change of ownership:
    • A copy of the AKC Registration Certificate (Eligibility requires Full Registration, not Limited Registration) or AKC recognized foreign registration certificate listing the new owners must be on file with the Field Futurity Administrator on or before the date of closing of the event.
    • A $100 fee shall be collected for each additional co-owner added to the initially submitted ownership list. [For example, if the dog was originally owned by two people and the change in ownership resulted in three owners, a $100 fee is due to the Field Futurity Administrator at the time of ownership change. There is no refund for a decrease in number of owners.]
• At the time of competition, ownership determination is consistent with AKC requirements.

Field Futurity

Events

• The Field Futurity events areis a stake held during the National Field Trial. Until such time that entries can physically and financially support Regional Classics (and this will be reviewed every three years when the Program as a whole is reviewed), one Field Futurity should be held in conjunction with the National Field Trial. 
  •  Eastern Classic
  • Western Classic and
  • National Field Trial
  • If no Classic is held for a Futurity Region, the Futurity can be held in conjunction with a local Weimaraner Club’s Field Trial.

Stakes

• The stake requires a minimum of 4 starters. If there are not 4 starters, the stake is cancelled and entry fees refunded.
• The event may be run on continuous, multiple or single course. If the course is continuous, every effort should be made to ensure that terrain will be similar for all dogs in the stake, regardless of where they start and end. For example, if the first 30 minutes of the course is 15% tight cover, 40% medium cover, and 45% open, the next 30 minutes of the course shouldn’t be 75% tight cover, 10% medium cover, and 15% open.
• A blank pistol, .22 or .32 caliber, must be used. The use of .22 crimps or shotguns is not permitted. This is addressed in the Performance Standard subsection below.
• Bitches in season may compete in the Field Futurity but will run lastat the end of the day and will not be braced with a male.

Entries and Entry Fees

• Weimaraners eligible to compete in the Futurity may enter and compete in all of the Field Futurity Events regardless of placements at prior Field Futurities.
• The entry fee for a Field Futurity is similar to the entry fee charged for a Derby stake. How is “similar” defined? In 2022, the National Open Derby entry fee was $125 and the National Field Futurity entry fee was $115 (a 9% difference). Further, what is the justification for why these fees should be similar? 

Judges

• Judges are selected following the procedures for selecting judges for the National & Sectional Field events. See the separate documents National Field Championship Rules and Regional Field Classic Rules.

Standards for Performance

Field Futurity dogs shall be judged as to their potential for developing into Champion Gun Dog Weimaraners or Champion All Age Weimaraners.

Futurity dogs must show a keen desire to hunt, be bold and independent, have a fast, yet attractive, style of running, demonstrate intelligence and eagerness in seeking objectives, and hunt with the obvious intention of finding game.

When birds are located, the dog should point birds staunchly and with style. Steadiness to wing and shot is not required. If the handler is within reasonable gun range of a bird which has been flushed after a point, a shot must be fired. A lack of opportunity for firing over a dog on point shall not constitute reason for non-placement when it has had game contact in acceptable manner.

A blank cartridge must be fired by the handler over any dog on point after the game has been flushed but before the bird is out of natural shotgun range. Any deliberate delay in shooting must be severely penalized. 

Blank pistols used to fire a blank cartridge must have a solid barrel incapable of discharging live ammunition. All calibers up to .32 are acceptable. Blank pistols that fire shotgun 209 primers are also acceptable. The .22 caliber “acorn” crimps shall not be used. 

Natural adaptability is the mark of a superb bird dog. Futurity dogs must may adjust their pace and range to prevailing cover conditions; hunting close in heavy and tight cover and naturally adjusting to hunt with more range when the cover opens up. Excessive calling or hacking by the handler to accomplish satisfactory ranging shall detract from the dog’s performance.

Futurity dogs must show reasonable obedience to their handlers’ commands. Each dog is to be judged on its actual performance as indicating its future promise as a high class bird dog for Gun Dog or All-Age stakes. Preference should not be given to one potential over another. Application is more important than range in a Futurity. Finding birds on course should be a primary objective, however a placement without bird work on course due to unusual circumstances is permissible at the judges’ discretion. The judges should examine the total performance of the dog. The Field Futurity is not a retrieving stake.

Braces are 30 minutes, and it is at the judges’ discretion if callbacks are needed for any reason. Four placements may be awarded to the Best Dogs that performed with merit. The first place dog is the Field Futurity Winner.

The decision of the judges shall be final in all matters relating to the field trial performance of all the dogs.

Instructions to Judges This section is merged with the previous section.

• Judges are to use the current AKC standard for judging a Derby stake as the basis for Field Futurity judging; however, each brace or bye will run for one half hour.
• Four placements may be awarded at the discretion of the judges.
• The First Place dog is the Field Futurity Winner. 

Handlers

• Open to both professional and amateur handlers.
• Horseback handling is permitted.

Disqualifying Faults

• No cryptorchid dogs (unilateral or bilateral), spayed or neutered dogs, or any dog with a Disqualifying Fault under the Weimaraner Breed Standard may compete in any Futurity.

AKC Rules

• The AKC rules for Field Trials applies to the Field Futurity Stake unless contrary to the provisions of the WCA Futurity and Maturity Program.

Protests

• Any protest regarding eligibility or misconduct is handled as provided by the AKC Dealing with Misconduct replacing AKC officials with WCA President, Executive Secretary and Futurity Administrator with regard to notification.

Field – Trophies and Awards

The WCA Field Futurity General Fund shall hold $1,000 from Futurity fees collected to purchase trophies and ribbons. The remaining funds shall be distributed as follows:

• First Place – 50% (50% to breeders and 50% to owners)
• Second Place – 30% (50% to breeders and 50% to owners)
• Third Place – 20% (50% to breeders and 50% to owners)
• Fourth Place – 10% (50% to breeders and 50% to owners)

Each owner of the sire and each owner of the dam shall receive one pewter breed figure on a walnut base. Each owner of the First Place dog shall receive a walnut plaque. One rosette and one neck ribbon is awarded to each placing dog.

Using 2022 as a case study, $14,600 would have been collected in Futurity fees under this format. Payouts would have been as follows:

• First Place – $3,400 to the owners, $3,400 to the breeders
• Second Place – $2,040 to the owners, $2,040 to the breeders
• Third Place – $1,360 to the owners, $1,360 to the breeders
• Fourth Place – $680 to the owners, $680 to the breeders

**A 50% reduction in the proposed fees will yield roughly a 50% reduction in the awards received. Perhaps that’s where we start.

Breeder

1. Breeder of the Field Futurity winner receives:
   1. Breed figure on a walnut base.
   2. $100.00 check in the mail.
2. Breeder of the Field Futurity winner receives:
   1. Breed figure on a walnut base.
   2. $100.00 check in the mail.
   3. If there are additional persons listed as Breeders on the AKC Registration Certificate, they may purchase a breed figure on a walnut base from the WCA for cost plus shipping.
   4. Host clubs may provide additional awards or trophies.

Owner of Sire

1. Provided the Owner of the Sire of the Best Dog in Futurity, Best Bitch in Futurity, Best Dog in Maturity, Best Bitch in Maturity or Field Futurity Winner is a member in Good Standing with the WCA on the day of the event, the Owner of the Sire receives a breed figure on a walnut base. See Definitions, page 3; “Owner of Sire.”
2. If there are additional persons listed as Owners of the Sire that are members of the WCA in Good Standing on the day of the event they may purchase a breed figure on a walnut base for cost plus shipping.

Owner of Get

1. Owner of the Best Dog and Best Bitch in the Bench Show Futurity or Maturity and Owner of Field Futurity winner receives a WCA walnut plaque. If there are additional persons listed as Owners on the AKC Registration Certificate they may purchase a WCA walnut plaque from the WCA for cost plus shipping.
2. Rosettes are awarded to all placements in Field and Show Futurity and Maturity events.
3. Rosettes are awarded to Best Dog and Best Bitch in the Bench Show Futurity.
4. A medallion with neck ribbon is provided for placements in the Field and Bench Show Futurity and Maturity events.
5. Host clubs may provide additional awards and trophies.

Hat Pins

Futurity and Maturity hat pins are available for purchase from the National Office. Only owners of the Get that received Best Dog in Futurity, Best Bitch in Futurity, Best Dog in Maturity, Best Bitch in Maturity or Field Futurity Winner may purchase a hat pin.

Placing in Field and Show Futurity

• Each breeder and owner of Get placing in Field and Bench Futurity receive a photo engraved plaque and equally share a $1,000 cash prize. To receive the award a dog must have defeated at least one dog in both the Field and Bench Futurity or Maturity. If there are additional persons listed as Breeders on the AKC Registration Certificate, they may purchase a photo engraved plaque from the WCA for cost plus shipping.

Winning Best Dog/Bitch in Futurity or Best Dog/Bitch in Maturity and Field Futurity Winner

• Each breeder and owner of the Get winning Best Dog/Bitch in Futurity or Maturity and winning the Field Futurity receives a bronze breed statue and equally share a $10,000 cash prize. If there are additional persons listed as Breeders on the AKC Registration Certificate, they may purchase a bronze breed statue from the WCA for cost plus shipping. A dog winning both Futurities is a BIG DEAL and should be rewarded as such. I would be very curious to know how many times this has happened. Pledge sponsors for this award may also be collected. Sponsors may choose to sponsor for X year, “the next 5 years,” or “on an ongoing basis,” etc. If there is no award given in a particular year, the pledge sponsor(s) pay nothing. In absence of any sponsors, Barrett Weimaraners is happy to sponsor the entire amount, just to entice someone out there to win it. 

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Closing comments:

This revision is meant to be Phase 1 of a longer term phased approach to Futurity changes. Five years should be given to allow the program to succeed or not succeed, and a long-term forecast plan should be adopted. For example, if Futurity entries increase steadily in 2025, 2026, and 2027, the long-term forecast plan should lift the moratorium on Regional Classics and reduce nomination and forfeit fees for 2028.

I am well aware that this is a monumental change to the current Field Futurity Program. I believe, however, that we are so far off the rails that such reconstruction is necessary to:

1. Protect the financial investments made on current field trial prospect dogs
2. Alleviate concerns regarding dog manners on course (and undoing all the training that has been invested in the dogs)
3. Remain financially solvent while increasing awards and acknowledgements
4. Enhance the meaning and value for breeders, sire owners, and owners of winning or placing dogs in a Field Futurity
5. Increase future participation from both breeders and owners

And there you have it. I’m shootin’ for the stars. Maybe we’ll land on the moon.

– Kim/Barrett Weimaraners

Last updated: 12:14 AM PDT March 22, 2023