>From: cathy meade >Subject: english v american ferrets >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... and I wondered if anyone could tell me if >the American ferrets ARE more suitable as household animals. ... does >anyone know if domesticated ferrets of the American kind are now being >bred in Britain? May I just say " Cobblers".................it's how you handle them and at what age you get them, that makes them *tamer and friendlier*. I personally take our 2 boys out rabbiting whenever I get the opportunity and they still sit on my shoulder and kiss me on the mouth etc. So, that's that theory out the window!:-) If you get a ferret from an early age ( around 10-12 weeks seems to be the norm round here) or rehome one that has been handled well since it was a kit, then you should have no problems. There are biters about ( I know, I had one!) but if you're worried about that, wait for a couple of months and there will be hundreds of unwanted and unplanned ferret kits around which you pick up for a couple of quid each ( sorry Sheila!) and you can get one and take it on as you would a puppy or a kitten. Or you could try at a rescue centre, but I think most of them prefer to rehome to experienced ferret owners. Bear in mind, an * American ferret* would have had to undergo quarantine, so I don't think you'll find any about really. Good luck when you do get one. K. [Posted in FML issue 2600]