Based on my not at all statistically significant sample of two Canadian
ferrets and three Marshall Farm ferrets, I agree with what Fred said
about Canadians being a little toothier in their play.  My first two
ferrets were Canadian, and nip-training the one I got as a kit was
significantly more work than nip-training the two MF ferrets that I got
as kits.  The MF guys learned pretty much overnight that biting wasn't
ok, but it took the Canadian (Hagen) ferret until she was pretty much
fully grown to figure out how hard was too hard--and she still used her
teeth in play.  My other Canadian ferret also used his teeth in play,
but he came to me as an older biter so his was a unique case.  I'm also
a hands-on, roll around on the floor person when it comes to playing
with the ferrets--my MF guys could easily be toothier if they wanted.
 
I think though that this probably comes down to a difference between MF
ferrets specifically bred for their temperments and ferrets from breeders
that may not have focused on temperment in the same way, or perhaps have
been selling to the pet trade for less time--not something innate about
ferrets who are born in Canada :-)
 
(not to get too off topic or open a big old can of worms, but my
Canadians were generally healthier, too.  Apart from things like
blockages or injury, they only had health problems in their old age,
including the one who was deaf with some Wardenberg markings.  I think
in some ways, my Canadians were more of a ferret's ferret.  I would
strongly consider going back up to Canada the next time I am looking
to add to my household.)
 
Regina
 
Regina Harrison  [log in to unmask]
proud sponsor of
Raks Spooki--a Night of Gothic Belly Dance, October 8, 2006
http://users.rcn.com/badriya/raksspooki.html
 
"Is that my business?  Well, what is my business?  Do I know?  Did I
ever know?  Let's not go into that.  You're not human tonight, Marlowe.
Maybe I never was or ever will be... Maybe we all get like this in the
cold half-lit world where always the wrong thing happens and never the
right."
 
--Raymond Chandler, The Little Sister
[Posted in FML issue 5359]