ALTON OCHSNER MEDICAL FOUNDATION

3503 PRYTANIA STREET

NEW ORLEANS

Dr. Joshua Lederberg October 19, 195)
University of Wisconsin

College of Agriculture

Department of Genetics

Madison 6, Wisconsin

Dear Dr, Lederberg:

Thank you very much for your kindletter of October 2,
which I found waiting for me on my return from a short vacation tripe

I appreciate very much your interest in the congenital
subluxation problem in German Shepherds and I am delighted to know that you
will give this matter further attention in the near future, In the meantime,
I will collect pedigrees of afflicted dogs.

Your remarks on "narrowminded breeders" who aim for
"superior" types, conforming to "artificial and unrealistic standards of the
show ring" are well taken and I am, at times, unable to understand the reasons
for the so called standards in certain breeds. In the case of the German Shepherd,
however, I think the situation is somewhat different, The standard has been
written with only one aim in mind (so one assures me) namely that of "ability to
perform work", In judging, therefore, the winning dogs are those who are not
only of a suitable physical build, but who have ability to move like "a well
oiled machine" with a far reaching effortless gait, indicating their ability to
cover lots of smout ground, seemingly without effort and without getting tired
easily, Serious breeders aim in this direction, and it is, therefore, so ruch
more disappointing when congenitally subluxéd puppies are born, despite efforts
to obtain animals with good working ability.

I am looking forward with great interest to hear from you
after you had a chance to look a little more into this situation and I want to
assure you again that I will be very grateful for whatever Suggestions you
like to make,

Sincerely yours,

Co Sthales

Otto Schales, D. Sc,
Director of Chemical Research