I will respond to the question of encouraging breeders to move towards
starting ferret breeds= like a "pure breed" dog or cat.  I hope this
doesn't happen, if it is possible anyway.  I wouldn't want to go to a show
and not be able to enter my "mutt sable ferret" because he/she is not an
approved breed.  Like with the AKC dog shows.  I like that my ferret is
judged on its coat, nails, teeth, etc. and not if it's shoulders are a
certain width, or if it has a flat enough nose.  I already don't like being
left out because my ferret's background and date of birth are unknown.
I think the rescue, senior, and handicapped classes are great- already
showing that there are more important things to recognize.  I think it is
a crime what is being done to pure bred dogs.  Large breeds too big to
deliver naturally, noses so flat they are prone to sinus problems, lines
so limited that cancers are common, and hip, eye problems.
 
Sure the most expensive, best of the litter is an exquisite animal- but
all the other substandard, genetic messes are being sold too.  I think an
animal should be bred for longevity, health, temperament- this is found
mostly in the mutts of the dog world.  They are genetically hardier and
stronger for the mix of genetic lines, and the chances of recessive genes
showing up together are rare.
 
We are not sure which diseases are genetic or environmental (or
combinations of both), it would be a shame to move forward until we know
what is inherited and what is not.
 
For now those that have little scruples would just charge more and claim
they have a certain rare breed of ferret- like the giant bear ferret, or
is this happening already?
 
Patty
p.s.  To my horror I almost put the FML on my blocked e-mail list!  What
would I have done?  It would have taken me a few days to figure out why
I didn't get the FML, and by then I may have been beyond help.  I don't
think I can quit cold turkey.
[Posted in FML issue 3325]