Didn't Raiser have to be elected into his position ? And if so , didn't those voting know his views or did he suddenly change them ?

Being fairly new to this sport , I thought dogs (GSDs) in Germany couldn't be bred or registered if they don't have a sch title ? Was under the impression showlines didn't have the drives it takes to get a sch title.

If showlines don't have good balance would a
qualifying agility title be helpful in weeding out these dogs ?

Rob,

Apparently a good number of the show people did vote for him both times (I believe both elections were pretty close).

It seems to me that the good showline breeders are a bit concerned. Witness that many of them helped to elect Raiser and that the person he was "co-president" with was Heinz Scheerer of Huhnegrab kennel- a kennel famous not so much for high placing conformation dogs as for conformation dogs that can actually work (Cliff Huhnegrab being the most famous of those).

The problem isn't that the German showlines can't get a Schutzhund title it's that many times they can't do it on a competitive field and that much, much training compensates for dogs that don't really have the drive/character to work. (Note: American Showlines are nothing like the German Showlines and can almost never do a Schutzhund trial).

I see the problem for the good breeders as this - they work to breed dogs that might not be BSP candidates, but are dogs that can do well in Schutzhund or Herding or other working endeavors. Unfortunately, too many kennels produce dogs only for show, those kennels that do work to keep working characteristics are at a big disadvantage. That is why I see some of the showline people voting for someone like Raiser, because he would raise the bar and make them competitive again - also, their breeding stock would be valuable because it would be necessary to toughen up the weaker lines.

I don't know that the entire story has been written with Raiser. I think the movement is probably underway whether or not he is the leader anymore - although the move might not take place as quickly as Raiser wanted it to.

There was an article circulating around on the net that explained his ideas on the SV's direction. It was amazingly considerate of showline concerns, so I don't really understand all of the antagonism. Certainly some breeders are scared and rightfully so, but for many Raiser's ideas would be an excellent roadmap for improving the breed.

mmmmm I didn't know they already had an agility event . But I was thinking of something more taxing for a working dog (A sar dog agility course ?) If there is such a thing.

Thank you all for the info