My advice would be to pass on that breed of puppy if you want ferts,
cats, and even other dogs.  Staffordshire Terriers make excellent
intellegent pets and bond very well with people.  Other than a German
Shepherd you may not be able to find a dog better adapted to protecting
you as well as your children.  The only down side is terriers are from a
hunting bloodline, they have been bred to fight even though aggresion to
people is no more than any breed or mixed breed.  They are territorial,
they often will fight other dogs, cats, etc. that wander into their
territory.  Spaying and neutering can elimintate some of this behavior.
Socializing the ferts with the pup might help "imprint" the idea that
the ferts are "kin" but I'd err on the side of caution.  Terriers are
stubborn by nature, extremely intellegent, and if you tease them or
excite that part of the brain that makes them "snap happy" you're in for
trouble.  I'd be afraid that the ferrets might end up a squeaky toy for
your eventual juvenile AST.  I don't know ferts near as much as I know
dogs.  Also check your local ordinances, in some communities they are
considered nusance animals and are prohibited.  I feel for you.  I love
both animals, an AST makes almost as good of a pet as a Fert ;)
[Posted in FML issue 4037]