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Jantie, don't you think that Dr. Raiser knew? It is not like he is ignorant to what has happend! Think about it. Plus nobody forces you to be a member of the SV if you don't like or want to play by their rules! That does not mean that I think all rules should be followed blindly either.

Thanks Chris for the further explaination. That makes perfect sense.

Part 1.

Hi there Chris! You make it sound like if I were living in Siberia, far off any GSD-influence. In fact I lived in Germany for over a period of 12 years, and now still live in Belgium (with some of the best working dogs and their handlers), only a couple of hundred kilometres away from where I was and frequently travel. That means I still pretty much visit the same area AND friends, a lot of them into breeding. I am in very close contact to many GSD-people, so don’t you go pretending I don’t have a clue of what I am talking about. You should not underestimate my sources.

Now I do think a little criticism is admissible, don’t you think. Being part of a club or organisation, doesn’t necessarily mean one has to agree to everything being said or ruled, there must be room for democratic changes, at least that is my strong belief. In this case, as it was in mine, it is all about “ethics”. Nothing wrong with good ethics, I would say. I get a lot of support from people saying it is high time, more people would stand up and help the club into a new era. You might be aware of my letter to Mr. Meyer, only weeks before the BSZS. Here is what I wrote and I quote:

“The SV doesn’t really excel in terms of public relations and the willingness to communicate. It would be appropriate for the club to apply new methods and respond to every single member and every local club. Only this will ensure that members and local clubs no longer wander of, „because the club takes no interest“. The support of every individual member should be the top priority of the Chief himself…

Part 2.

… Now the statement that the popularity of the German Shepherd were unbroken, should be edited. In little over a decade membership figures have dropped from over 110.00 to merely 70.000, a publicity campaign could reduce the damage somewhat, however the SV should brainstorm about damage assessment. In 1993 there were still 34.685 pups registered in the “Zuchtbuch”, but in 2006 the figure has dropped to 17.902. Such a massive reduction raises questions, it can certainly not solely be the consequence of a change in social development. There must be other reasons, I daresay the migration to a large extent has to do with the health of the GSD (magnitude and degree of the  HD/ED-complex) and with the incompetence of the management of the SV to communicate with its members in a righteous and orderly fashion. It is without a doubt that there is need for action in this field.” Unquote, full version of my letter on www.bloggen.be/hd)

I then addressed several other issues, such as the (over) size of the dogs, the fact that judges should not judge by names (of the few big kennels) - btw a concern of many GSD-fans, the fact that GSD is big business (size of some big kennels which has absolutely nothing to do with hobby breeding anymore), and of course the HD/ED-story (with the failing of the ZuchtWert-system, which has been addressed by Mr. Meyer himself already, admitting it is subject to radical improvement), together with my wish, that only dogs with immaculate health should compete in the last rings of the BSZS. Now you can put me on death-row for ventilating my opinion. In the case of Helmut Raiser, he is still a registered member of the SV, was allowed to perform in the selections with his dog (which was way after all events you mention took place, and it was the same Landesgruppen-management that let him start – probably hoping he would not make it) and obtained a magnificent score. Ethics I believe are paramount, always and everywhere, in every society or organisation, and no matter what Landesgruppen-politics may play here behind the scenes, he should be allowed to compete. Nothing more nothing less. A boycott cannot ever be the correct solution. “Oh, we don’t like your face, you shall not compete!” This kind of arbitrariness must be overruled by the SV-members. And I am one of them. So why can I not speak my mind?

Jantie,

I would never underestimate your knowledge and resources. You should know that already. As a matter of fact, I have always applauded your  intelligent and matter of fact posts here for the past few years, until you started your vendetta against a certain wellknown kennel and the SV.  I never will agree with you on that matter or your tainted HD estimates in GSDs. Regardless, I would never attack you here and write anything which I would not be prepared to tell you face to face. I think you know that!

You can speak your mind, of course! Anybody can! But this matter between Dr. Raiser and his LG is not a controversy for the general SV membership (yet). Yes, Dr. Raiser is still an SV member, why I do not know. He does not need them to participate in dog sports. There are alternatives, like the DVG. If I was in his shoes, I would not want to be part of a system I despise so much, let alone spend my money on membership fees. I think that Goose said that perfectly. I agree that no rules should be followed blindly. If the rules do not work, they need to be changed. For that, we have general membership meetings and delegate elections. This might be a long and winding process, but it is always better than banging your head against the wall or feeding one's narcisstic ego by trying to force your will upon the system (the general membership) with endless expensive legal battles which cannot be won. Dr. Raiser has followers in Germany, true. But he also has a lot of enemies, even among the working people (I also have sources). He is aware of that, and at the end we will see if he is successful with his new club. As far as I can evaluate, a lot of people are sceptical and undecided. They would like to be part of both, the new and the old. But I personally do not think that the SV will sit back idly and watch.

Chris

Hi Chris! There are no better HD-estimates than mine available, and you know it. You are very well at home in this monkybusiness, and you know how many results are not sent in and how breeders try to avoid the ZW of their doggies to rise. You won't come any nearer to the truth than with my figures. Let's put it this way, I have shown the top of the iceberg, reality is even worse. I'm pretty sure you are well aware of that. HD is a massive problem, and there is certainly no need to minimize it. Reinhardt Meyer has publicly admitted on several occasions, that the ZW-system is insufficient. I hope he will do something about it.

Anyway, we're talking Helmut Raiser. The way you choose your words, shows what you think of him. You are entitled to your opinion, of course, which I respect. But saying: "But this matter between Dr. Raiser and his LG is not a controversy for the general SV membership (yet)" has to be countered. ETHICS are indeed a matter of the whole GSD-community, and one has to address this subject, and not let people (Landesgruppen-management) get away with "arbitrariness".

You have only mentioned one discussionboard. You (and I) frequent many others, so why don't you have a look there. You will find confirmation that many people agree with my statements, they will even address the subject within their respective clubs. If you are a true sportsman (woman), which I think you are, you will agree with me that they have to let him start. They have made mistakes (and have let him participate in the trials) and should admit that, they cannot throw his candidacy out now (pissi* their paints, as he might win). Being one of the best teams, they have to grant him his fair chance as a sportsman to compete. The BSP is all about the working capacities of dog and handler, NOT about politics. They have to be put aside during the competition and be discussed elsewhere and at a later date, not at the BSP.

Boy, Helmut must've really pissed off a lot of people!  Still, I think excluding him from the BSP is very poor sprotsmanship on the part of the LG and the SV. Politics should not be part of the criteria for selecting who represents an LG in a major event. Helmut's performance record speaks for itself. As long as he doesn't use the event as a platform for political reform, they should let him compete.

JMO

SS

I agree with Shelley.  If they dislike him that much they should remove his membership.  I think it makes them look petty that they varied their own selection criteria just to exclude him.

Can see why they did though, just don't think it was the right thing to do.

Dogs and politics, who would of figured?

I would like to think that many sport people competing for their club, national organization and country  would not like to have someone like Helmut on the same field with them. You are a team going to the BSP and WUSV and should be representing club and country. At this time he is a traitor to the club and he should be banned. This is a mess and until things are straightened out he and people like him would do well to take the high road and sit it out. Law suits only make lawyers richer and in most cases seem to cause more trouble.

... you know what, I've met so many dog people online and politically is not correct now adays as I see it. I can't wait to finally take some time off from these horses and go meet these people with my dog. They would change tunes and quick. My new dog Granduer is beating Grey Hounds in 2 acre lureing courses. Only I can't find in AKC or FCI 2 acre courses to enter. Anyone know of one in the USA? I know Russia has them and on the slopes too.

Isn't Helmut Raiser the one who sued the SV after they stripped him of his NBW office?