>From:    Sherri James <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: one more question on judging
 
Ferrets tend to have a darker color (though not always dark) on their
points (legs, tail and mask) and often a lighter color body.  They can
also have other white markings.  Relatively rarely is their something else.
 
A black mitt is a ferret with black guard hairs where they are dark that
also has white feet.
 
Roaning is usually progessive and is white hairs mixed in with whatever
dark hairs are present.
 
So a black roan mitt is a ferret with white feet and black and white hairs
mixed in for the 'dark' areas.
 
Since a silver is a funky name for a ferret with black guard hairs, and
they are divided into generally three groups for mostly black, about half
black and half white, and mostly white.
 
Its easy to see that the darkest silvers are really black mitts.  The
medium shaded silvers are really black roan mitts.  And the lightest
silvers are dark eyed white patterns.  Ok not so easy.
 
But they are.  Some call them heavy, medium and light silvers.  Or dark,
medium and light.  Or even pewter, sterling and platinum.
 
LIFE uses pattern light to cover all mostly white ferrets the same way the
AFA uses dark eyed white pattern.
 
There isn't a penalty for having two different names for the same
color/patterns.  Unless you have a real silly judge that is playing
politics for you using the "wrong" name for "their" standard.
 
--
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2899]