Jaime - first your are right. A rat terrier, and/or manchester terrier and ferrets are not likely to be a good mix. There are always that 1 in a thousand exception where the dog seems to have been totally passed by for its genetic hunting heritage but when your betting on your ferrets live I think the odds are too long for me. I would stay away from all if not most terriers. You can generally divide dogs into groups. Terriers, Sporting, Working, Toy, Herding and Hounds (sight and scent, 2 different things), Miscellaneous. Some dogs their breeding has diverged, with some people not breeding for hunting ability and others breeding specifically for it. Also some breeds are bred to do things independently, others to work with people - will to please helps a lot. Labs - #1 dog for like 10 years are generally these days bred for pets - however you need to watch out for dogs that seem to have a high hunt drive (hard to do at a shelter I know). High activity level, high ball drive, high chase drive are indicators but could also just be a hyper dog. In the sporting group I would think Lab and Golden Retriever and those mixes would be a good choice. Maybe a spaniel or spaniel mix. Most pointers I think still are used a lot for hunting - not only that but their style of hunting is sort of independent. I wouldn't trust a sighthound - they are bred to key in on movement. Neither would I try any of the coonhounds. Sometimes I wonder if a laid back basset or laid back beagle might work. Working breeds like Rotts, Dobes and German Shepards can be very trainable and could work. I'd stay far far away from any Husky or Malamute's or mixes, great family dogs but very very independent and high prey drives = bad combination. That actually describes a lot of dachshunds too. Some of the toys might work (not ones with terrier backgrounds) - look for confident outgoing toys - not scared shivery ones. Pugs are great at this. I couldn't stand the snorting and snoring but they generally have great happy devil may care attitudes and generally just want to play and play. Poodles are pretty smart, with them its a personality thing I think. Herding breeds are highly trainable, but herding drive is just controlled prey drive so those individual dogs with a high herding drive may not work. I have an Aust Shepard. Collies, that good ol Lassie stand by would be a good bet. Aust Cattle dogs are a little independent and tough. Generally look for will to please and trainability - this can compensate for a lot. A dog that gets along with cats is a positive sign but not definative. Don't discount an older dog - there personalities are in place so you know what your getting. I got my dog at 7.5 - I specifically looked for a certain personality and checked him out with a ferret first. My dog is very very good - and I never ever NEVER leave them alone together. Everybody is out while I sleep but I'm a light sleeper and wake up if the dog starts moving around. Mary "Animals are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time," Henry Beston [Posted in FML issue 3607]