Nate produced well to high-quality and even mediocre-quality bitches. He was an exemplary speicmen of the breed.
To NOT consider a dog as a top producer because he/she became affected with any disease is a disservice to the breed.
Every one of the dogs that Lisa mentioned has produced outstanding get, yet also has produced dogs that are affected with some health condition that we wouldn't necessarily "desire" to reproduce, be it Fanconi, Hip Dysplasia, PRA, etc.
Does that NOT make them a top producer ?? Heck NO!
If the quality of their get is still there, then they surely should be considered to be a top producer. If it were just high numbers, not quality, then no, they are not a top producer.
Especially some of these late-onset diseases, [excluding any breedings since the development of the fanconi linkage test], many many breedings have produced and the dog [sire or dam] was later found to be affected with X, Y or Z.
Too many people forget that is TAKES TWO TO TANGO! Don't blame it all on the stud or all on the bitch.
It gets tiring year after year hearing that Nate was responsible for all the Fanconi out there. Especially since there was fanconi for many many years before his time!