2002 SMCNA CONFERENCE SPEAKER GEORGE PADGETT DMV & CANINE GENETICS |
As a breed club with a small gene pool, the SM club
officers discussed ways to keep genetic diseases in
the Small Munsterlander breed to a minimum.
Research into the best speaker to bring to the 2002
SMCNA conference brought us to Dr. George
Padgett, DMV. Dr. Padgett is a retired veterinary
pathologist from Michigan State University with
special interest in canine genetics and the role
breed clubs play in the control of the genetic
diseases in their breed.
officers discussed ways to keep genetic diseases in
the Small Munsterlander breed to a minimum.
Research into the best speaker to bring to the 2002
SMCNA conference brought us to Dr. George
Padgett, DMV. Dr. Padgett is a retired veterinary
pathologist from Michigan State University with
special interest in canine genetics and the role
breed clubs play in the control of the genetic
diseases in their breed.
But the truth is that most purebred dogs are
carriers for four to five genetic defects. It isn't until
dog owners and breeders can talk openly and
honestly about genetic diseases that genetic
diseases will be controlled in any specific dog
breed and we are committed to control genetic
diseases in our SM breed.
carriers for four to five genetic defects. It isn't until
dog owners and breeders can talk openly and
honestly about genetic diseases that genetic
diseases will be controlled in any specific dog
breed and we are committed to control genetic
diseases in our SM breed.
After the survey we will be able to generate a list of genetic defects and diseases occuring in our SM breed. The Breed
Council will assess the impact of each trait on the breed, determine which defects should be attacked on a breed-wide basis,
and report to the SMCNA. Our breed club (SMCNA) can then begin a registration of dogs and bitches affected with genetic
defects and those known to carry genes for these traits in an Open Registry. SM dogs suspected to be free of the
undesirable traits will be known and noted.
Council will assess the impact of each trait on the breed, determine which defects should be attacked on a breed-wide basis,
and report to the SMCNA. Our breed club (SMCNA) can then begin a registration of dogs and bitches affected with genetic
defects and those known to carry genes for these traits in an Open Registry. SM dogs suspected to be free of the
undesirable traits will be known and noted.
After this process is finished the club can develop literature discussing the diseases in the breed, including clinical signs, the
method of diagnosis, and treatment. The literature can also include the various systems that can be used to control genetic
disease and how to evaluate or estimate potential risks. The club needs to strongly support breeders and owners who have
the honesty, courage and foresight to openly register dogs affected with genetic disease, because there is not hope for
control without knowledge.
method of diagnosis, and treatment. The literature can also include the various systems that can be used to control genetic
disease and how to evaluate or estimate potential risks. The club needs to strongly support breeders and owners who have
the honesty, courage and foresight to openly register dogs affected with genetic disease, because there is not hope for
control without knowledge.
Small Munsterlander breeders ask how can we help? The breeders must know about their dog's past in their pedigrees,
keep complete records of their breedings, follow up on all puppies they have bred, keep meticulous records, openly share
this information and participate fully in the Open Registry.
keep complete records of their breedings, follow up on all puppies they have bred, keep meticulous records, openly share
this information and participate fully in the Open Registry.
Small Munsterlander owners ask how can we help? All owners can fill out the SMCNA surveys honestly and when the open registry is operational they can
check to see that the information reported is listed correctly, they must report any conditions or diseases found in their Small Munsterlander to the breeder
they bought their dog from, and fill out a health survey found on the SMCNA website if they have not done so already.
check to see that the information reported is listed correctly, they must report any conditions or diseases found in their Small Munsterlander to the breeder
they bought their dog from, and fill out a health survey found on the SMCNA website if they have not done so already.
Dr. Padgett's presentation was interesting, very informative, and much more detailed than can be summarized in this article. For those interested in
learning more about genetic diseases, I urge you to purchase his book "Control of Canine Genetic Diseases" for a more complete understanding of his
approach and topics relating to genetic diseases in purebred dogs. An article on information covered in his presentation will be placed on the SMCNA
website.
learning more about genetic diseases, I urge you to purchase his book "Control of Canine Genetic Diseases" for a more complete understanding of his
approach and topics relating to genetic diseases in purebred dogs. An article on information covered in his presentation will be placed on the SMCNA
website.
The first step is to develop an anonymous genetic survey that will be sent to all owners of Small Munsterlanders in North
America. The survey will be returned to a third party to assure everyone that the individual survey information will be kept
private. Data collected will be used to determine the frequency of defects in our breed, the modes of inheritance, and the
frequency of carriers in the general population.
America. The survey will be returned to a third party to assure everyone that the individual survey information will be kept
private. Data collected will be used to determine the frequency of defects in our breed, the modes of inheritance, and the
frequency of carriers in the general population.
Dr Padgett began with the fact that no dog owner or
breeder wants to admit that their dog has any
defects, they say MY dog has no genetic diseases!
breeder wants to admit that their dog has any
defects, they say MY dog has no genetic diseases!