Futurity/Maturity Shows

Young pup at the 2014 SE Futurity/Maturity shows

I've been talking to Trooper's breeder about entering him in the GSDCA Southeast Futurity/Maturity shows in March. This is a different type of dog show -- one that I'm still a bit confused about. I've been Googling my brains out and this the best I can figure.

The Futurity/Maturity program was designed to encourage and reward the breeding of dogs that most closely conform to the AKC breed standard. Each National Club (aka "parent club") runs it's own Futurity/Maturity program, so there are slight differences for each breed. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) Futurity/Maturity program is (sorta) explained here.

If a breeder feels she's got a good pairing, she'll nominate (essentially place a bet on) the litter. This is usually done before or just after the litter is born. Puppies from a nominated litter are shown in the regional shows held each spring and summer (the GSDCA has nine separate regions). The competition is similar to a regular conformation show. However, winners earn a portion of the nomination fee. Then all regional winners compete against each other at the National shows in October. Apparently it's a big deal.

Plaques & rosettes from the 2016

SE Futurity/Maturity shows

The regional Futurity/Maturity shows are hosted by GSD specialty clubs (like mine). Since Futurity/Maturity shows are held in conjunction with a club's Specialty shows, they draw a bigger entry. The hosting clubs also get a small portion of the entry fees. However, hosting the Futurity/Maturity shows is a lot of additional work.

The regional club usually gets the nod from GSDCA 18-24 months out, giving them time to find a judge -- preferably one that will attract participants. The GSDCA contracts a show superintendent to manage the entries and catalogs. They also provide trophies. A local club member is designated regional chair to handle all the fine details -- and there are a lot of fine details!

So how does it work? Puppies from a nominated litter are eligible to be shown if one of the registered owners is a GSDCA member. (FYI: Trooper's Breeder/Co-Owner is.) The class a puppy is entered in depends on it's date of birth. The Futurity classes are:

• Junior Class
• Teenage Class
• Amateur Junior/Teen Class
• Intermediate Class
• Senior Class
• Amateur Intermediate/Senior Class

The Maturity involves the same dogs that competed in the Futurity, after they've had a year to grow up. Just like the Futurity, one of the dog's owners must be a GSDCA member, and a dog's class is dependent on the date of birth. The Maturity classes are:

• Junior Class
• Amateur Junior
• Class Senior Class
• Amateur Senior Class

Here's a kicker: If the litter was nominated, but the dog was not entered in a Futurity, an additional $150 fee is required above and beyond the fee to show in the Maturity classes. So, regardless of whether we go to the shows in March, I need to send in the $30 entry fee -- just in case. Ugh. I'll keep you posted. -- K