I am not a AFA judge (championship or specialty judge). I am a exhibitor who shows my ferrets at the AFA shows. I do in time help out in stewarding, as this is a very educational learning experience. I am owned by 1 Marshall and four privately bred ferrets. >What is this person saying that my ferrets are from a are pet store >will only win Companion and that if I had an adolescent it won't place >because those rings are for "HOME BREED" ferets. We are talking about the Championship class. Which is base on maintenance, bone density, body structure, muscle mass, depth of head etc. I have at home a 15 weeks old hob that would go into adolescent class. He weighing in at 3lbs., he has a good size head on him nice depth and he still growing into his paws. His muscles are starting to developed. Now, do I want to entered my 16 week ferret in adolescent class that has been altered at 6-7 weeks (or less). Showing less bone density, smaller head, smaller body frame, less muscle and weight. Absolutely not, its not fair. I suggest going to a breeder or a exhibitor who is owned by a privately bred ferret and let them show you the difference. Once you see this you will understand it. Most breeders and or exhibitor would be more than happy to talk to you. >So in other words, why waste my money. And so does this also mean that >in Specialty as you so nicely put it, if I showed my black sable, I will >100% not win because some breeder has the best? No, black sable specialty is base on the blackest ferret. Black shinny coat, black nose, little white around the face. Solid Color. Again I am not a breeder or judge, my black sable took first at the Ferret Fandango this year. She took 3rd at the Buckeye Bash. So breeder/judges do not always take the first. Let me remind you, the Buckeye Bash is huge show. The new kits are just becoming of age, so Buckeye Bash may be their first show. We have a lot of new faces that are entered in to the championship and specialty class. You have to remember, breeders do have customers and those customer compete against the breeders owned kitthey do win! I also have taken a 1st place ribbon against a breeder. This is the greatest feeling. You know, winning is not every thing. I enjoy showing my ferrets because the show goers are great to be around, you get to meet new ferret friends, learn a lot about ferrets, great raffles and shopping. This is what its all about showing and or attending a show. Not just winning and getting the ribbons. [WA] [Posted in FML issue 4990]