The International Cover Dog Futurity Futurity was founded at the start of the new millennium, January 2000. The Goal of the ICD Futurity is to recognize class upland bird dogs run in northeastern native grouse and woodcock covers. This futurity is meant to enhance upon the opportunities already provided by the existing and respected Grand National Grouse and North American Woodcock Futurities.

The wild bird covers of the northeast are different than those found in other parts of the cover dog world. Covers in the northeast tend to be very rugged terrain, with very thick, heavy cover that can really wear down a dog. A derby age dog that can hunt these covers hard for 30 minutes, attacking the cover intelligently in its search for birds, and does it with style and class, is the type of dog that can go on to win a wild bird championship in the northeast. It is that type of performance that this futurity seeks to reward. The winner(s) of this futurity are the champions of tomorrow.

Breeding dogs that can win in the covers of the northeast, as anywhere else, is a combination of art and science. We hope to bestow honor on those that can breed our potential champions of tomorrow. Likewise, those with the ability to transform and mold a bundle of energy and raw potential into a derby that has the ability to go on and win a wild bird championship deserve the highest honors.

It is our hope and expectation that this futurity will help to further the breeding and training of class grouse and woodcock dogs here in the Northeast, and throughout the cover dog world. Futurities have long been the life blood of the field trial game. In a time when many of the traditional outdoor pursuits loved by sportsmen are under attack, we hope that this futurity will help to strengthen and enhance interest in our sport and the outdoors.

The International Cover Dog Futurity will be run on grouse and woodcock in natural northeast covers over multiple courses. The winners will show the potential to go on and win a wild bird championship in the northeast. They will do this by exhibiting the class, style, drive, intelligence, bird sense, rapport with handler, and ability to handle grouse and woodcock expected of such a potential future champion. Those performances that show the most overall potential are to be rewarded.