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.    
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.    
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.  
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!
GEORGE PADGETT DMV
GEORGE PADGETT DMV & CANINE GENETICS