I was glad to see the positive post on Angora ferrrets.  I too have an
angora from Parrots of the World.  Her name is Poof and I have had her
for a year.  She is wonderful, sweet, very playful, and does not bite.
She has a great personality.  I have had 4 ferrets prior and she is pretty
much like them except she has more energy, and of course the distictive
characteristics of a true angora, long fur, no undercoat, fur growing out
her nose, and a slightly upturned nose.
 
I did some research before I bought her, and I did hear from a couple of
people who had gotten angoras from other breeders, and there were problems
with them, similar to those mentioned.  I was told, and agree with the
recommendation that if you get one, Parrots of the World is the place to
go.  They are imported from Denmark from a reputable breeder over there.
 
Poof does not need to be brushed, her hair gets very long in the winter,
and she sheds down to a shorter coat in the summer.  Oh yeah, you never
will see anything cuter than an angora ferret who is in wardance mode, all
her hair sticks straight out like a puff ball, and she will jump straight
up in the air.  Her hair is very very soft as well.  I think she was the
runt of the litter as she isn't any bigger than other female ferrets I have
had.  I had heard angoras are bigger in size than other ferrets.
 
The original post describing the problems they have seen may be their
experience, but I doubt any of the ferrets they have encountered have been
from Parrots of the World.  When I picked out Poof, I held 4 other angoras
as well, and they were all smart and no different than other baby ferrets.
So I do not agree with the blanket statements that were made concerning
this breed of ferret.  The assesment does not apply to all of them, and
breeder does make a difference.  So if you want to get one, do your
homework.  I am glad I did.
 
One of the reasons I got one is that I heard they were less prone to
tumors.  But Poof is just beautiful, and alot of fun.  I am thrilled with
Poof, and will not hesitate to get another angora from Parrots of the World
in the future.
 
Dawn
[Posted in FML issue 3135]