>From:    "Church, Robert Ray (UMC-Student)" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Bob C  Polecat Hybrids
>
>Q: "Does breeding a ferret to a polecat give them a darker coat?"
>
>... I own a 1/4 polecat, and I can tell you the difference is amazing!
>Tui comes to the sound of my voice and likes nothing better than to
>sleep on me, is NOT reliable around anyone's chin, lips or nose.  If
>you scruff him, he WILL bite you to the bone, guaranteed.  He is more
>skittish, jumps higher, moves faster, sees things better...
>
>Hybridization of ferrets to polecats to improve color is, sadly, not
>only self-defeating in that the offspring are unreliable as pets.  It is
>also only of a short term gain in that, as the offspring are bred back
>to domesticated ferrets, the dilution effect takes place and you end up
>with what you were trying to improve, diluted coat color.  I don't
>recommend it.
 
I have 7 of them ferret/polecat hybrid that vary from 1/4 to 1/16.
I love them for their vitality and engergy.  Yes, a couple are not
trustworthy.  Grabbing and letting me know they have teeth and know
how to use them.
[Posted in FML issue 4143]