>From:    cathy meade
>Subject: english v american ferrets
>I am thinking of getting my first ferrets, and have heard that the American
>domestic ferret is tamer and friendlier than its British cousins, who were
>originally bred for hunting... and I wondered if anyone could tell me if
>the American ferrets ARE more suitable as household animals.  ... does
>anyone know if domesticated ferrets of the American kind are now being
>bred in Britain?
 
May I just say " Cobblers".................it's how you handle them and
at what age you get them, that makes them *tamer and friendlier*.  I
personally take our 2 boys out rabbiting whenever I get the opportunity and
they still sit on my shoulder and kiss me on the mouth etc.  So, that's
that theory out the window!:-)
 
If you get a ferret from an early age ( around 10-12 weeks seems to be the
norm round here) or rehome one that has been handled well since it was a
kit, then you should have no problems.  There are biters about ( I know, I
had one!) but if you're worried about that, wait for a couple of months and
there will be hundreds of unwanted and unplanned ferret kits around which
you pick up for a couple of quid each ( sorry Sheila!) and you can get one
and take it on as you would a puppy or a kitten.  Or you could try at a
rescue centre, but I think most of them prefer to rehome to experienced
ferret owners.
 
Bear in mind, an * American ferret* would have had to undergo quarantine,
so I don't think you'll find any about really.  Good luck when you do get
one.
 
K.
[Posted in FML issue 2600]