We had a vet who used to say that he enjoyed treating ferrets partly because cats are more inclined to live in the past so they remember and that doesn't necessary bode well for a vet, dogs are more inclined to live in the present so that doesn't necessarily work out well during a disliked procedure, but ferrets tend to think about the future so they are so often busy hoping that what happens next will be good that they ignore the rough times. >I don't mean to be a zealot but I have seen this before. Any animal >"breed" that becomes extremely popular degenerates. It is up to the >"clubs" to counteract this. Ferrets are the third most popular domestic >pet. You have to start now or we will all pay for it later. Especially >our beloved little carpet sharks. True. Historically that has also been true when shows become important (which is why ferret shows are trying to find even more ways to not have as negative an impact on health and longevity as dog, cat, and horse shows have had for too many breeds). Historically, among companion animals it is generally true that "fancies" are more inclined to shortened life spans and to reduced health or handicaps. This is especially so for things like pigment deprivations of multiple types, dwarfism (shortened limbs but normal trunk size which really stresses the back slung between them and can also cause cartilage problems) shortened faces (try fitting the same number and size of teeth into less space...), and some other things. Yes, some fancies have normal life spans and some may even do better, but don't assume those are the norm. DO ask for health and longevity records for the line when you buying. When you find a trusted private breeder who has loving home conditions, carefully kept records, and good health and longevity reflected in those records then you have found something very worthwhile. Remember, just because a feature (color, pattern, pelage, form) looks good to humans does NOT mean that it is healthy for ferrets! [Posted in FML issue 3815]