>Becky wrote:
>"The Vizsla is a hunting dog and may be good with cats they are raised
>with, but should not be trusted with animals such as hamsters, rabbits
>and guinea pigs etc..."
>
>I think the above says it all-just my opinion.
 
Ferrets, like cats, are carnivores, and not prey animals such as
hamsters, rabbits, and guinea pigs.  So I interpret this as meaning
Vizslas will be as good with ferrets as the would be with cats.  (Which
I think is the opposite conclusion to the one Becky reached, though it's
hard to tell).
 
I think though, the key words are "raised with".  I think the Vizsla
should be a puppy when it first encounters the ferrets, still small
enough to be wiling to accept a ferret as an authority figure.  And the
ferrets must have an appropriate personality to interact with the dog.
Most ferrets I know love dogs, but there are a few who just want to
attack (not play-attack) them.
 
So I would think the best road to a mixed household would be to start
with a ferret who has had friendly experiences with dogs before, let
that ferret get established, then introduce the dog as a puppy and let
it grow up with a ferret companion.
 
It so much depends on personalities.  I might never feel they were safe
enough to leave unattended together -- but then again, I might.  It's
one of those things you just have to gauge case by case.
 
-- Claire
[Posted in FML issue 5089]