My advice would be to pass on that breed of puppy if you want ferts, cats, and even other dogs. Staffordshire Terriers make excellent intellegent pets and bond very well with people. Other than a German Shepherd you may not be able to find a dog better adapted to protecting you as well as your children. The only down side is terriers are from a hunting bloodline, they have been bred to fight even though aggresion to people is no more than any breed or mixed breed. They are territorial, they often will fight other dogs, cats, etc. that wander into their territory. Spaying and neutering can elimintate some of this behavior. Socializing the ferts with the pup might help "imprint" the idea that the ferts are "kin" but I'd err on the side of caution. Terriers are stubborn by nature, extremely intellegent, and if you tease them or excite that part of the brain that makes them "snap happy" you're in for trouble. I'd be afraid that the ferrets might end up a squeaky toy for your eventual juvenile AST. I don't know ferts near as much as I know dogs. Also check your local ordinances, in some communities they are considered nusance animals and are prohibited. I feel for you. I love both animals, an AST makes almost as good of a pet as a Fert ;) [Posted in FML issue 4037]