>From:    "marie i. schatz" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Dogs and Ferrets
>he said the owners were responsible owners and the dogs and ferrets had
>tolerated each other well up until the point the dog just sort of "snapped"
>and grabbed and shook the ferret.
<snip>
>Mary who's still thinking about a dog, but starting to lean more toward a
>cat:)
 
Well, I would question the comment about the dogs being "tolerant" with the
ferrets until they "snapped."  In our house, our dogs must be more than
tolerant of the ferrets, they must respect them as being more alpha than
they dogs themselves.  And since we are the ultimate alpha (humans that is)
our actions carry the most weight.  We taught our dogs very young that the
ferret can bite them, but they cannot bite the ferrets.  Many a time our
Border Collie has come running to us with a ferret hanging off her tongue,
asking for help to remove the weird "growth."
 
As for cats, we have a big male cat that is 6 years old now, and was
raisined from teeny kittenhood with the ferrets.  He cannot be trusted with
them, and once ripped open BooBoo's skin in a 6 inch long strip down his
back.  BooBoo was just sniffing him, nothing threatening.  Same cat also
knocked wee Ashley flying off the back of the couch by smacking her in the
cage with all claws outstretched.  It was very traumatic for Ashley.  So now
he is not allowed in any of our three ferret playrooms while ferrets are out
of cages.
 
>P.S.  One of the things I have been doing is researching breeds with
>low-prey drives.  So far the herding group seems good.  Collies, Shelties,
>Bearded Collies have good reputations for being relatively easy going and
>good in multi animal households.
 
This is a good start, I think, but some herding dogs are more inclined to
"snap" at moving objects, and could snap at a ferret.  Although as a rule we
wouldn't have most terrier (ie ratter) breeds with ferrets, temperament is
often a better indicator than breed.  Our Pit Bull is terrific with the
ferrets, and has his favourites just like the Border Collie does.  However,
since the Pit Bull is 5 months old and weighs 40lbs (he'll top out at 80lbs,
no problem) he needs to be extra careful about where he places his paws.
Now he's learning to dance delicately around the little critters, and
sometimes lays down on his side so they can climb all over him and stick
their noses in his funny floppy ears.  Sometimes they try to drag him away
by his "mean dog" collar.
 
Also, neutered males (well trained and socialized with ferrets) often tend
to be more relaxed than females.  Something to think about.
 
Sheena - [log in to unmask]  | "To Err is Ferret ... To Forgive|
VP - Greater Vancouver      | "... Well, That's Our Job"      |
     Ferret Association      (Wherret Web Pages Coming Soon!)
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[Posted in FML issue 1828]