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Post by bitbyter on Oct 7, 2013 10:50:02 GMT -5
Angora's are not a "natural" ferret. It is a genetic abnormality and as far as I have heard they tend to have a lot of other genetic issues.
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Confused Ferret Lover
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Post by Confused Ferret Lover on Oct 7, 2013 10:56:59 GMT -5
I completely understand what and angora ferret is and what problems it may have, that is why I am considering a natural short-haired ferret like the one in the snow. I just don't know if it is an ok starter ferret.
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Post by bitbyter on Oct 7, 2013 12:14:07 GMT -5
I would suggest a standard ferret as most ferrets end up with some medical issues in their lives and you want to minimize that as much as possible. Keep reading, the more you can educate yourself before buying the more prepared you will be.
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Confused Ferret Lover
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Post by Confused Ferret Lover on Oct 7, 2013 12:19:25 GMT -5
I thought so. (giggle) I just needed help deciding (I've been puzzling about it for months). I have studied ferrets for 4 years but you can never learn too much!!! Thanks for the advice!
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Cynde
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Post by Cynde on Oct 7, 2013 12:20:39 GMT -5
I am an angora owner. I would start with a regular ferret from a breeder. I know that the fluffy fur is inticing. They need more care than a domestic ferret. They are very fragile. I had my Hercules for 9 years. Angoras are very smart. They are very active. However lets not forget they are still ferrets. They are different from other ferrets. Because they are smart they need a lot of interaction and get into more. They are good climbers. Need supervision. They are theives, the best. Hercs managed to get on the dining room table if there was any type of Chocolate there. He would steal it. I had to get him before he ate or hid it. Kept me on my feet. Need a lot of supervision. They are magicians at getting out of their cages. Get a ferret nation or a fiesty Ferret. No Martins. My Hercs, was always geting out of that one. He got his head stuck between the wire cage and wire door. I would not use that cage with any ferret they can get their head caught. They can get out of wire cages. They need sturdy bars and locks. Turst me, with these little balls of fur, the color doesn't matter. Hercules was very vocal. The ferret breeders I know will not sell to a first time ferret owner. They prefer someone with experience in caring for ferrets. Angoras are very expensive to buy and keep. They need high quality ferret food and care. Not cat or kitten food. High Maintenence. Angoras are very headstrong. They may look like stuffed animals, but they are not.
Personally, I would start with a domestic ferret. While angoras are beautiful, they are not for everyone. I have a black polecat, but I would not recomend him for a first ferret either. I have had domestic ferrets for several years. What I would consider easy to care for may be very difficult for another. Good Vets are hard to find for Angora's. My regular vet, who took canre of my domestic ferrets would not take my angora. He referred me to a vet 80 miles away who is familiar with angoras. We all want something differt and special. Me, I always wanted a ferret wtih a black nose.
Some of the dark black ferrets (Polecats) are high-breds. Need a lot of care too. I love the little black polecat in the snow, looks like my Thor.
I would go to a good breeder, and get a domestic ferret baby. One that has a tamed background. All domestic, no hybred.
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The not Confused Ferret Lover
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Post by The not Confused Ferret Lover on Oct 7, 2013 13:04:10 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice I have now made up my mind! I already found a breeder close to where I live who breeds dark/black sables (my favorite), the ferret in the snow is, believe it or not, a 99% domestic ferret only with a very distant bit of polecat hybrid Thanks loads for the help!
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Cynde
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Post by Cynde on Oct 7, 2013 14:30:31 GMT -5
I would not have guessed that cutie, was mostly domestic. I think he would be just fine.
Thor is my first black, he is all european, his mother was imported. He has real Polecat in his genes. He got to 8lbs last winter. I do not think he will get that big this winter. He has clamed down a bit. But still likes to sprint over the furniture. Up and down and over the furniture again.
I think you made a wise decision.
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Post by Heather on Oct 7, 2013 21:50:14 GMT -5
That little poley in the snow belongs to Marie. I recognize her stock, that wee one is of Swedish stock and beautiful beyond. Who did you finally settle on as a breeder? ciao
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The not Confused Ferret Lover
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Post by The not Confused Ferret Lover on Oct 8, 2013 2:14:41 GMT -5
I know it belongs to Marie, I absolutely adore her ferrets!, they are an example of what ferrets should be like! I have found another swedish ferret breeder: pickpocketsferrets.tarinoi.net/99 , who's goals for ferret breeding are great, she breeds a variety of different colors too, including black sable I have yet to get in contact with her.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 8, 2013 9:52:36 GMT -5
She's got some beautiful little ones! Good luck, and let us know how it goes
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Cynde
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Post by Cynde on Oct 8, 2013 11:40:20 GMT -5
Marie, certainly does have beautiful babies. I love the little eyes, they look like they could pop out, Thor has those cute eyes. Thor is so smart. He gets a lot of interaction. However no matter how much I talk to him, he still hides his mice and chicks. Last night he hid a piece of fish. I need to find that.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 8, 2013 18:47:06 GMT -5
Marie definitely does. I was referring to the ferretry in his link
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2013 11:39:47 GMT -5
The best ferret would certainly be standard ferret from a good breeder. Fancy pet store ferrets and even standard can be very fragile. I'm really satisfied with my breeder ferrets. Both of them have pole cat blood lines somewhere at their lineage. One of mine is standard, and the other is black roan mitt. They are too young to judge their health, but my black roan mitt is way less fragile in comparison to my sable Marshall's. My fancy blaze Marshall's passed away few month ago at the age of 3.5-4 from some violent cancer and my sable Marshall's is 4 now, but he looks a lot older. However, even getting a standard ferret from a breeder doesn't guarantee good health.
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