>From:    Sukie Crandall <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: WS
 
Sukie was kind enough to also send me this privately yesterday, to which I
replied at length!  Thanks, Sukie!
 
>From:    William Killian <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: What color?; ADV testing; Waardenberg
>It existed as far back as any show organizations starting with the IFA.
>But it was relatively rare then.  Due to breeders breeding for shows and
>"profits" it has greatly increased.  It turned into a medical curiosity
>and not a practical or even rational approach.  Led eventually to us
>getting 50 ferrets "dumped" on us in a day.  Tremendously bad idea.
 
Dumped?  Why?  (or should I ask)
 
>The true silver mitt (or black mitts as the AFA calls them) are not a
>Waardenburg pattern in and of themselves.  But due to complete lack of
>understanding of genetics by those that consider themselves "the best
>breeders" most of the silvers ended up crossed with the Waardenburg
>victims.  As soon as the "clean" European and South Pacific ferrets
>came into this country far too often they were immediately crossed with
>these Waardenburg victims.  Some say that since their pandas can hear its
>okay if they breed them.  It's not.
 
Hrm. Sukie sent me something similar.  So there's no real way to assure
they aren't tainted, except perhaps to send for ferrets from Sweden or
such?  (Not that I'm planning on breeding, mind you)
 
>From what we can tell there really isn't much difference between the
>ferrets of the US and Canada, ferrets have been crossing the border all
>along.  But that isn't an absolute truth by any means.
 
It's as much as I though.  Just some breeder webpages I've seen seem to
make Canadian ferrets sound magically healthier, smarter and better
breeding stock than American ones.  Or maybe this is just PR out of
control...
 
Thanks again..
Mel
[Posted in FML issue 3224]