Reputable Ferret Breeders?

[Lily]

My partner and I are slowly looking into finding a reputable ferret breeder.  

We have rescued and adopted ferrets for years, and although rewarding, we want to adopt some kits from reputable breeders (Not those mills for multiple reasons) where they are generally healthier, physically and mentally. The "breeders" here are all backyard breeders, which we don't want to support.

I was particularly looking into European imports, and contacted one breeder from the Netherlands. I was just wondering if any of you guys are aware of reputable breeders since they are hard to find on the internet! We won't be adopting for some time, but figured it would be best to take our time to do research on the breeders, develop a relationship, etc. until we are ready.

We are aware that breeder ferrets and importing will cost a lot, but we are already saving up for it and thankfully we also have very well paid jobs. We're also located in Canada, but after discussing with the breeder in the Netherlands, apparently importing to Canada is very strict and we may have to travel to the US to pick up and drive back across the Canadian borders. 

[Sherry]

There are Heather McNally's ferrets here www.facebook.com/groups/dcfferrants/?hc_ref=SEARCH
Also a number of US breeders listed here holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/2230/ferret-breeders

[Heather]

Importing into Canada is very difficult and it takes a bit of money and a clearance as well as some very specific timing (almost impossible according to the authorities) and you have to be very careful importing an international ferret through the US. The free ride across the border on a rabies cert is for US ferrets only. International ferrets have to be residing in the US for over 60 days before they're classified as US citizens and are allowed to travel on the US ferret classification. I know, I got caught up in that. It leaves your imported ferret in limbo lost between countries. So if you're importing from the Netherlands or from the UK make sure you're covered because it's a scary feeling when they start talking euthanasia at the border and they will do it.
I believe you can import under 4 months without a rabies cert (it's the international passport that gets flagged) and with few questions but it's a risky gamble if you get called into secondary. Heather's kits do have the added security as she's a US citizen and they're young (under 4 months). Just be very careful and have all your bases covered. I used to worry about the flights, now I just worry about the border crossing. When Canada changed the rules about importing they made things very difficult to import ferrets from other parts of the world. Just a heads up
ciao

[Lily]

Money isn't a concern for us! We know we will spend about $2,000 and more just on the importing fees, excluding the adoption fees for our future ferrets. We just want well bred, healthy, and mentally sound ferrets. We have very stable and well paid jobs, so we are financially comfortable.

Would you say it's easier to import US ferrets through the Canadian border?

I'm very new with the whole importing animals internationally as I have never left my pets across the border before. What things should I research and prepare for? What rules did Canada change about importing animals?

[abbeytheferret6]

There r some breeders listed on the AFA.
Do not if it will be helpful.
www.ferret.org/links/bdrMemberships.html

[nancyl]

What are you looking for specifically? I have a couple of hobs from my 2015 litter that will make lovely, big goofy pets for someone. They are from UK and Czech Republic imports, 3/4 UK & 1/4 Czech. They are polecat hybrids, somewhere in the 25% range.

[Lily]

We aren't looking to adopt for another few years. Just doing our research and planning, as well as preparation, for our imports after our current two ferrets cross rainbow bridge.

We aren't too picky as long as they come with a pedigree and health tested. Won't be easy to find, but I got a hold of Heather and so far everything is going smoothly to my expectations. We have two requirements which is them to be male (Just personal preference) and to be darker colours. We've always rescued lighter coloured, like champagnes and DEWs, marked DEWS, etc. so it would be nice to have a change to some traditional or dark coloured fuzzies.

[crazylady]

Hi can I just point out dark's are not for everyone hybrids need to be handled with care as they are not your typical pet ferret and is there truly such a thing as a pedigree ferret ! in my opinion no yes the breeder maybe able to go back four or five generations so they are giving you a family tree but not a pedigree as there is no association that deals in pedigrees for ferrets good luck with your search take care bye for now
Bev

[Lily]

Yes, I am completely aware that darks are hybrids and they are not typical ferrets and can be unpredictable.

I am also aware that there is no "pedigree" like dogs and cats, but as long as the breeder has a "pedigree" of the family tree, that is fine with me. Much better than adopting a ferret whom you have no idea who the parents are, the grandparents, etc. Heather (Devon Country Ferretry) also judges and shows, which I have spoke to her about which I also prefer over BYBs.

[crazylady]

Hi I am also an international ferret judge and I have shown and bred ferrets for over 50 years you state it is better than adopting a ferret that you have no idea of the parents etc most breeders need to buy in new blood from time to time as too much inbreeding can result in genetic defects all we have to work with is what the vendor tells us is it true we dont know !as for byb are we all not byb to some degree ? I breed when I require to improve or retain a line ( rarely I may sell a kit ) my ferrets are bred at home as are a lot of ferrets are they not byb as I do have a back yard as does heather and other breeders we do not have a fancy set up for breeding ferrets we leave that to marshalls and concentrate on health and loving environments you insult every breeder on here when you clump us together as byb I could place the word ferretry before or after my name as i have been breeding working showing and judging ferrets a lot longer than most on these boards does it make me a better breeder no and as for rescue ferrets with no so called pedigree I have rescued many ( mainly after calls from my vet) do they make good pets YES and once given love and a good diet they turn into wonderful pets who often go on to live long happy lives also with hybrids you may be purchasing a mixed bag ( I have seen a lot of mink mixed in when judging all over the world ) you hybrid then gains the name of black self,eu polecat or they mix in angora you have no true idea what is mixed in to give you the black color everyone craves what is included is aggression a ferret who is shy around humans and one who will strike out whenever it chooses if you doubt anything I have written speak to heather ( or heather of the team on here ) they both know me good luck take care bye for now
Bev

[Lily]

Okay, it looks like there's some misunderstanding here.

Never have I ever said you, Heather, or other proven breeders to be "BYBs." What I meant by BYB are NOT those who literally breed from their backyard (Though most do), but those who breed animals for profit and the animal's welfare and health is completely thrown out the door. For example, breeding a female dog during her first heat period at 6 months, and then a 2nd litter for her next heat, simply for puppies and money. THAT is what I referred as a "BYB." I am NOT insulting you, Heather, or other reputable breeders out there.

ALL of my ferrets from my very first ferret to my current two, are RESCUES. I am NOT against rescues nor do I think they make any less of great pets. All ferrets make great pets, no matter what background they come from. My partner and I simply have a preference on WHERE we want our ferrets to come from, and that is from someone who shows/judges ferrets, have a pedigree or family tree so we know what their lines are, etc. I know it won't be the same as a dog (My family used to show dobermans), but I'd like to know the history. Mill ferrets like Marshall are much more prone to health issues (Not saying privately bred ones are either because genetics can be a funky thing), but they are more mentally and physically sound. Not cooped up in small cages, neglected for profit, etc. Am I saying they make horrible pets? NO. They make great pets, we just PREFER to adopt our NEXT FERRETS. We have rescued and adopted plenty, are we not allowed to choose to adopt from a breeder? It's our decision and our family. We have rescued ferrets and althrough on a raw diet with exceptional veterinary care, most did not live past 5 years of age. It was nothing that we did wrong either, just those unlucky things that happen to animals who don't deserve it.

I am already in contact with Heather and we have discussed such unpredictable behaviours from hybrids can happen. We aren't looking to adopt until a few things settle (With us and Heather), and we are staying in touch. Thank you for your input though.

[Sherry]

Thanks for clearing up any potential misunderstandings Lily Bev(crazylady) is one of our long time breeders here(several generations in the family actually), and as you can tell is very passionate about the subject

[Heather]

One of the issues you're going to encounter and even Heather can't go very far back in her lineage is that most breeders in the EU and the UK don't keep records. Some of the most gorgeous ferrets (hybrids in particular) have little if any background (that's why they're hybrids). Ferrets were not kept like dogs and their lineage was in the mind of the breeder, not on paper. Expecting a pedigree is unrealistic. Nancy has some gorgeous ferrets, as does Bev (I should know I have some of them) and have had the privilege of seeing a few. Heather also has some gorgeous ferrets and probably has the most experience, aside from myself about international shipping (good and bad). Just be very careful to have all your ducks in a row in regards to crossing borders.
ciao

[Deleted]

Heather is right about the history. Many (fairly good) breeders in the UK who breed ferrets for work and good health know in their heads who is related to who, but it hasn't been put on paper until recently.
In my own ferrets, I have four generations of information on some, only one generation on others. Recording all starts somewhere and in most of the UK it has only started recently. Many of us have a reasonably good idea of our own ferrets and lines, but for the purposes of out crossing we have to buy in from others who may not keep good records on paper - the only ferrets with masses of information on ancestry are angoras and many (myself included) do not want angora in their ferrets.

I don't know anything about exporting/importing ferrets though, but I know it's not simple or cheap.

Best of luck in your search

[Heather]

Most who import even from the EU have remarked on gaps in the lineage because breeders up until recently rarely put anything to paper. It wasn't important for anyone else to know, they knew. If you want a thorough pedigree, Nancy probably has a better idea than many on paper as to what went into her line and she's probably one of the few who can actually give you a pedigree. The US has been keeping clear records for considerable time (show purposes) and I've seen some of the pedigrees on their ferrets. Bev is another who could probably best illustrate her lines as well as she's been putting to paper for years and keeping the lines for her father and grandfather. The unfortunate thing is as soon as you go outside of your usual breeder and start using some of the ancient lines or some of the more aged lines, you're going to deal with the old timers who do not keep records (it's all in their heads). These aren't BYB's, they've got a ton of knowledge and their lines are heavily sought out, but you're not going to get any more information than little Gem is out of Hooligan and Betty and you don't need to know anymore than that (in their opinion)
ciao