Sheena
 
A name for a ferret with noticable ribs could be "Adam" or how about "BBQ"?
 
BarbKitty was asking about Sable vs.  Siamese.  Only Marshall Farms uses
"Siamese" as a color - what they call "Siamese" everyone else calls
Chocolate.  Sable is a dark brown to black color.  A Black (or AFA Black
Sable) is a Really dark sable with white to grey undercoat.  A Sable has
usually a cream to golden undercoat.  A Chocolate is more the color of a
milk chocolate candy bar.
 
Siamese is a pattern.  This pattern is also called a Point or even a Fine
Point.  A Point is a ferret with dark 'points' which are the legs and tail.
Slight differences are that a Siamese should have a V-shaped mask going
from one eye to the nose and back to the other eye rather than a bar or
T-bar shaped mask.  A Fine-Point has a MUCH lighter body in comparison to
the legs.
 
A Standard pattern is a dark legs with slightly lighter body.  A Self
pattern is dark points AND body.  Of coursde ther are those in betweeners
that could be a point or a standard if the body is real light but the dark
patch (saddle) on the back is too dark for a point.  Unless you are
really into showing it doesn't matter which direction you slide it when
you tell someone what pattern a ferret is.  BUT you are interested in
showing.....
 
Requirements are slightly different for all the organizations.  All require
a proof of Distemper vaccination.  The AFA requires that it be with Fervac.
Other groups are more lenient and allow Galaxy-D.  I personally use Fervac
and have luckily never had a reaction.  Getting back on track.  The AFA
starting this coming year will require Rabies vaccination records as well.
When you register your ferret you need to provide a date of birth, a
breeder, and parents.  Since this is not always available - especially from
pet store ferrets a reasonable guess is fine as long as you continue to use
the same guesses for all future shows.  My best showing ferret is a small
Marshall Farms Sprite that is now approaching seven years old.  She retires
after two more shows - the Baltimore show where she will attain all the
points to be a Supremme Grand Champion and the upcoming LAFF show where I
will bring her to retire her from her 'home' ferret club.  Bragging a bit -
she didn't even START showing until she was over five years old well after
the age where most ferrets are retired or moved solely to the 'old-timer'
classes.
 
But again back to the main topic of Showing YOUR ferrets.  To enter a show
hall all the organizations have a 'vet-check' where usually a veterinarian
check the ferrets over for parasites (fleas) and appearances of diseases
like the flu that could be contagious.
 
Most organizations have dropped the requirements that the OWNER properly
classify the color.  You always register the ferret by color but often it
is an interpretation that the judge might make differently than the owner.
The Baltimore show I believe still requires the owner make the color
selection properly - most of the others just let the judge decide for
her/himself and rate the ferret at the time of the judging.  This is
particularly a problem for first time showers and is my most groups have
dropped the requirement.
 
There are three classes for "championship" rings.  Kits for ferrets
usually from around 16 weeks to around 6 months old - varies by group.
Alter Class for those ferrets older than kits that have been spayed or
neutered.  And the Breeder class for those older than kits that have NOT
been spayed or neutered.  Breeder class is usually for the hard core folks
and runs after most of the visitors have left for the day.
 
There are also 'specialty classes' at shows.  Each show seems to choose a
different set depending upon what the orgaanizers and the usual attendees
seem to want.  Albino, Black Sable, Cinnamon/Champagne, Old-timer (usually
over 5 years old), Handicap (where a ferret that couldn't compete ina
championship class because of some injury or can still 'play') and many
others.
 
Another less serious class is "pet class" or "first time" class which is
for the ferrets that are not entered in cany other class and is judged on
the basis of how healthy the ferret is and how well cared for.  What I
might recommend for some one interested in shows is to go to the closest
shows and enter this class - the only one that is registered AT the show.
Watch what goes on in the others and see if you might find it fun.  Most
of us do it for fun.  Only a few take it as seriously as cat and dog shows
are taken.
 
For more specific information call the sponsoring groups.  Usually they
are announced here and on flyers.  You have to get around the silly
politics where some people won't come to other people's parties but for
most people who don't take it to seriously that isn't a problem.  I rty
to be involved in the shows of most groups that are within reasonable
distance of my home.
 
Hope I answered some of your questions...
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
[Posted in FML issue 1322]