cathy meade wrote: >I am thinking of getting my first ferrets, and have heard that the American >domestic ferret is tamer and friendlier than its British cousins, who were >originally bred for hunting. I would want my ferrets purely as pets, not >as working animals, and I wondered if anyone could tell me if the American >ferrets ARE more suitable as household animals. A ferret, is a ferret is a ferret. There ain't no difference between a working, show or pet ferret in the UK. At least, at this moment in time, there isn't although I have heard some rumblings about some folk writing a show standard - God help the UK ferret if the rumblings are true! I use some of my ferrets for working and believe me they are totally laid back. You want kisses and your ears washed Kurt will oblige. I can give him to toddlers to pet and he's as good as gold. >If there is a difference, does anyone know if domesticated ferrets of the >American kind are now being bred in Britain? My local Ferret Welfare >Assocation (close to London) doesn't seem to think so, but I wondered if >American ferret lovers could help. IMO all ferrets should be bred for health and temperament. Show standards, colour breeding can take a back seat. What's with the domesticated ferrets bit......... to me all ferrets are domesticated. They just don't make a good job of surviving without humans. You want a pet ferret - just get in touch with you local ferret rescue and ask 'em to let you know when a suitable ferret comes in. You could wait until the breeding season and get a 12 week old kit but then you might have to teach it not to nip - just as you would a puppy or a kitten. Don't forget even some American ferrets have been known to nip - so it just isn't English *hunting* ferrets that will go for your throat.......<g> Sheila Bolton Ferret Welfare & Editor of The National Ferret Welfare Society. Web Site: www.btinternet.com/~sheila/ferrets.htm last update 10 Dec 1999 Waiting at Rainbow Bridge: Jill, Deanna Troy, Cameron, Carnath, Button, Bill & Bobby. [Posted in FML issue 2599]