Ferret show names?

[Deleted]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but can someone explain the long ferret names you see listed on pedigrees or show rosters to me? For example, my hob Finn's momma usually goes by "Zoey", but on the website and on the pedigree, her name is "SLF's Miss Zoey of FTN". Same with the sire, he normally goes by "Pointer" but his full name is "SHD's Point Me Out of FTN".

What are the rules for these "official names", does someone approve them, are they registered somewhere, etc? Is a ferret required to have a name like this in order to participate in a show?

Or are these names just used for breeding and pedigree purposes?

[katt]

I'm not sure about ferrets but here's how it works in horses. The same goes for any show animal really. The systems are pretty similar but I'm sure someone else can explain it better than I can, my understanding of it is pretty basic and horses are a little different (but still similar). With horses you have their registered name, which is usually taken from their pedigree. I.e. if the dam and sire are named CK's Blissful Sun and Midnight Wanderer, then the offspring might have a registered name along the lines of CK's Wandering Sun. CK would be the breeder. OR you might have something like Midnight's Sun (midnight being one of the parents and the foal being the offspring thus "belonging" to the parent). So for Finn he might be called Zoey's Finn. "Out Of" and "By" indicate mother and father (dam and sire). Out of means the dam and By means the sire (so CK's Wandering Sun, out of Blissful Sun by Midnight Wanderer).

That's registered names. They are registered with different registries (redundant much? ;D). Specific breeds have their own requirements as to length, etc. Some breeds may require a name start with a certain letter or be only 8 characters long etc etc. This is the name that should be on any registration papers as well if I am correct. Registered names don't always come from the pedigree, but many people like to do that.

Then you have Barn Names, or Call names. (same thing). This is the name you actually call the animal. So Midnight's Sun might just be Sunny or Ed or Jumper or Blackie. So for Finn, his Registered name might be TFN Zella's Finnnigian, and his call name is Finn.

Then you have SHOW names. A Show name is simply the name a horse is showed under. So if you have a horse named Sunny, his show name might be something like Sunny Delight, or Jumps the Gun. Some people like to make humorous names because in a horse show the announcer will introduce the horse/rider by saying "Katt Crouch riding (Horse's Name)." So something like "Katt Crouch riding High and Tight" or something funnier. Sorry I can't think of a good example at the moment. lol

Registered names, Show names, and Barn names can be all related or drastically different depending on the person. You might have a horse named something like this:
Registered name: Sheik's Red Baron
Barn name: Scooter
Show name: Master of Flight

OR you might have a horse named something like this:
Registered name: Sheik's Red Baron
Barn name: Baron
Show name: Sandy Red Baron

It can get confusing, but once you get the hang of it it makes more sense and you can kind of get into it.

[Deleted]

I show my ferrets regularly, so I can tell you a bit about all that

Does someone have to approve the name?
No

Are there any rules or guidelines on to what to name your ferret?
No

Do they need a fancy name to participate at the shows?
No

Are they registered some where?
If you show them, they are registered in the AFA database. In the data base has record of the breeder and parents name, how many points they have earned toward their championship title, and what they placed in different classes.

Really pet store or private bred, they could have a simple name, although if you have a private bred ferret the breeders initials should appear before the name. For example, Ground Effects Ferretry, the initials are GFX. GFX would then be displayed first then the ferrets name.

With the private bred ferrets, your typically going to see a fancy name, especially if they are into showing and/or breeding.

Some breeders have a theme in which they follow on a certain pedigree. For example my ferret Hailey, her family theme is Vegas (her mom, grandma, ect... breeders went with Vegas theme). So I choose to follow the family name to carry the tradition.

Other times, there is no rhyme or reason to the name they have come up with lol it may totally be random!



Hailey's official name is:
GFX's Sin City Strip Teaser

(as you can see, breeder's name displayed first) That it the name you will see on all of her paper work, vet records, and at the shows, ect... If you ever see that name it is Hailey! You'll never see her "call" name in any of the information.

[Deleted]

In regards to your ferret Finn, if he ever showed (if you didn't have a fancy/show name for him) he should be entered as:
FTN's Finn


Now you mentioned his mother SLF's Miss Zoey of FTN. The SLF in front of her name is the breeder who actually bred her. The : of FTN shows that is the breeder who currently owns her/breeds her.

If Zoey was ever retired and adopted out to another home, the FTN would drop since the breeder no longer owns her. Her name would then be: SLF's Miss Zoey


Hope I didn't confuse you and explained it clear enough

[Heather]

Do ferretries have a registering body that they register their ferretry name? As in Ground Effects Ferretry. Is there a governing body, like the AKC that registers their names? I know up here with dogs, if you want to register your kennel name, you choose 3 names. You then send that into the governing body, the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) and they post the name for a given number of months (if it doesn't already exist as someone else's kennel name in their files, then they will use the next name that you chose). If after the posting for several months there is no one to contest the name, it is registered (or something like that as I never really paid that much attention). Does the AFA do that type of thing? or is it not that formal?
ciao

[Deleted]

No two breeders have the same name, nor the same initials. The breeders can choose what ever name they would like their ferretry, and initials, as long as someone else didn't take it already.

Don't know exactly what they do to get their ferretry in the data base, if anything at all (I really dont know for something like that)

I do know if your a breeder they have their own group you can join, if your approved. It is for reputable breeders only (and I guess for future breeders learning the ropes and right way), its a good group for the breeders to be able to join, lots of discussion on breeding ect.. and would be great to keep in touch with the other breeders to see what they are doing in their breeding programs and pedigree.

You don't get any official registery like the AKC, its not that formal.

[crazylady]

Hi I judge all over the world and I have found there are only a few countries that use the fancy name system america and poland normally breeders names go on pedigrees not on show agendas ( if they are privately bred simply for information should a problem arise ) my question is how do you know that ferret actually belongs to that litter ? answer you don't and you don't know that that breeder actually bred it ! its all down to trust next I think I would ask the question what makes a ferretry ? breeding one pair and having one years experience or breeding 20 pairs and having 20 years experience ? in England there are no fancy names its simply down to best ferret on the day ( yes we have a form of crufts where a ferret must win certain select large shows to be entered into a large show called the best of the best ) but do they have to come from champion lines no and no breeder is given a pat on the back by using there names on the ferrets entry form heck at most shows the ferrets name isnt mentioned its simply hob number 17 ! in my own personal opinion ( and yes I will get shot down in flames for this ) why does a good breeder need to stamp there mark on kits ? is it to ensure more people will clamour for there kits so they can breed and breed and breed and charge what ever prices they like ? isn't word of mouth good enough ? I have seen over and over lists of this ferretry took this and this and this in the list this year then everyone wants from that breeder isnt this just exploitation of the animal we all love ? just my two pennys worth
take care bye for now
Bev

[Deleted]

>"SHD's Point Me Out of FTN"

Prefix “SHD’s” is abbreviate ferretry Name

For example the above is:

SHD’s – Scarlett’s Happy Dookers “ferret name” Ferretown USA
(Nancy purchased this kit from Scarlett’s)

This kit was bred by Scarlette

SLT’s Miss Zoey of FTN

SLT – Savannah Lakes Ferrety
FTN – Ferretown USA

>Official names”, does someone approve them,

You can name your ferret anything you want. No, they are not approve. You don’t even have to put the breeder’s prefix in front of ferret’s name when showing. There is no requirement on the breeder’s prefix.

You just have to be consistent with the name when showing….that’s all. If you change the name, they will think it’s another ferret.

After all breeder is not paying you to advertise for them.

>registered somewhere

Not for us (non breeders). They only keep a database on your name, ferret’s name, sire and dam. This is just to keeptrack of points that you rec’vd at the show. As you earn points, you will earn championship title. Which is a certificate. They also keep track of placement. (this is free)

But they are not registered.

2008 they started a project to registered ferretry name program. Setting up ferretry name application and ferretry name transfer form, rules, co-owners. (There is a fee for this service)

This document was for breeders. This document was presented in their group. (non AFA group) It was never published on the AFA
web site.

>Is a ferret required to have a name like this in order to participate in a show?

No.

There is no requirement for you to put the breeder’s prefix in front of your ferret names when showing. You just have to use the same name during the show season.


>Do ferretries have a registering body that they register their ferretry name?

They have a document in reference to above, how would you know? They don’t published it on their web site.
Document name "2008 AFA Registered Ferretry Name Program.


>Is there a governing body, like the AKC that registers their names?

How can they governing when they don’t published the documented on the web site. This document was available to selected breeders.

Being a AFA document it should be made available to all it's members, specially being a non profit organization that is member driven.

[Deleted]

Bev - Toast to you....raise a glass of wine to you.

Giving the Hobs numbers....great idea

I don't think that would even work. After all they all look alike at the show. At least the placements do.

[Heather]

So let me get this right, and I may be totally left of center and have totally misunderstood this but a group of breeders, not the AFA decide if you're a legitimate ferretry or not? Unless you are a member of this "breeders group" you don't have access to the ferretry listings? You can't register your ferretry name unless you're an accepted member of this group? If you don't have access to this list how do you know that you're not stealing someone else's ferretry name? I'm not trying to stir the pot, I just want to understand. I know a bit about registering kennel names and for that matter cattery names. It seems to me despite the large success of ferrets and the amount of showing that is done they are rather loosely governed I understand about the whole showing thing and choosing ferret names, that's fine and I think it's great that you can even show your farm ferrets which is really fantastic (I always thought it was disappointing that people couldn't show their unregistered pure-breds, some were much better put together than the kings/queens of the breeds) but I don't understand how you choose your ferretry name and not mess it up by accidently choosing someone else's name. What makes a ferretry? The number of shows? the number of ferrets bred? the number of ferrets in house? being accepted by the breeder's group? sending a fee into the AFA?
Enquiring minds want to know ;D
ciao

[Deleted]

Not to get off topic, but are shows all business, or is it fun? I wish I had a chance to show off my lovely ferrets to others who would appreciate them, and make friends with other people who are interested in ferrets, and feel like me and my fuzzy little "kids" could feel like a part of a ferret loving community even if for a day. Or are the shows more focused on competition, more serious, no room for shenanigans? Another worry, my Finn to me is a gorgeous display of natural vigor and health and beauty and temperament, but I'm sure the show would have such high standards that he might not shine so bright among so many other amazing specimens. Is that just going to make me lose some of the adoration I have for him? I believe I will continue to love him no matter what but so far he has been compared mostly to Marshall babies who are just different, you know?

Anyway, what's it like at the shows, all business and competitoin, or are people friendly and stuff?

[Heather]

Hey, Mikey...I can't answer your ferret show questions but I can answer this.....your wee Finn will never stop being the best little hob in the world for you. I've shown in the whole dog show thing. I've become jaded and find the whole show thing a bit of a farce but...but....that is a personal opinion. I can tell you this, the dogs that I've shown in the ring, have won (they've all taken their championships, specialed a few too), they've also lost...they had their faults...nothing is perfect. I loved them despite their faults, they were always perfect in my eyes. Were they perfect specimens, no but I saw them as perfect. A ribbon, a trophy didn't make them my perfect best friends, they were. I now have a dog that everyone wants me to show, but I've no intention. It takes a certain personality, he doesn't have it. He's a love and he want's everyone to love him. He's perfect in my eyes in spite of his flaws. Finn, will be like that for you. You can ask your breeder for her honest opinion....my one breeder wouldn't give me his opinion for years (afraid he would hurt how I looked at my dog). It didn't bother me, I appreciated his honesty. Hey, you're going to stand in front of a judge you might as well know what flaws are apparant. She may tell you why she sold to a pet home, it may be nothing more than she didn't have any more space in her program for him, that he is in her opinion perfect....but chances are there are points that he didn't have or that extra "je ne sais quoi?" but does it matter, is it going to matter. I don't think so, I think you love Finn and win or loose nothing is going to change that .
ciao

[Deleted]

For me, showing is all for the fun! Sure everyone wants to win, everyone thinks their special ferret is number one (and they all are ) I don't show my ferrets for business, its for the enjoyment of it like it should be! Most are like that. And I can say my ferrets truely LOVE going to the shows!

My very first show, I knew absolutely nothing, knew nobody, nor had ferrets all that long. I entered my ferret knowing nothing. I went in hoping for the best, hoping people would be at least half decent for me to ask questions, as with my experience at the akc dog shows were not good everyone was so nasty and snobby I wasn't sure what the ferret show was going to be like. When I got there I was greeted and treated so wonderful! Everyone was so nice to me and helped me with all my questions, I just couldn't believe how friendly.

My very first show with my ferret I rescued, Dancer, He took 1st place!! Gosh I was so proud of him

I met so many new friends that day, and we all kept in touch, through out the years I've met so many people and made so many friends, not just acquaintances, but really good friends.

I'm in the judges training program, honestly from what I've seen, its fair. Ferrets are all given their own number, and are called up by the number, no names. I've seen judges before the show (this was even before I was in program), and they refused to even look at my ferrets, will have nothing to do with them until the show is over, just in case the ferret is in one of their classes. And NO, judges do not judge their own ferrets.

I've seen lots of ferrets take first that belong to no breeder nor anyone that shows on typical bases, I've seen alot of first time show goers win too.

I have had 2 rescued ferrets that no one wanted, that I adopted and showed, and they did so well! So much for the ferrets no one wanted.


Anyhow, I've had really good experiences at the shows, me and my friends have a blast when we go, even when we dont win! and there have been plenty of time where i dont win ;D

[Deleted]

Thanks guys, my last post was written after I took my Ambien and was supposed the be sleeping so I was pretty drowsy and asking silly questions

I think the worry in my drugged-up head was that I would go to a show and the judges would say, oh your boy has this, this, and this wrong with him, and I would think "Oh darn, I thought he was great, now that I know he has all these things wrong with him I don't love him any more!" Which is RIDICULOUS! ;D Did I stop loving Fenton when I found out he was deaf? Umm NO I think I loved him even more

And wepamperpets you bring up a good point, your ferrets enjoy going to the show. We all go to great lengths to provide enrichment for our ferrets, and I bet my ferrets would enjoy the adventure of going to a show! So we'll see, maybe I'll get a chance to attend one if time and money permit

P.S. - I need to try and stay off the forums after I take Ambien, there is a reason they say to go straight to bed after you take it It's worse than being drunk...

[crazylady]

Hi Mikey I judge all over the world ( and I did the show scene for many many years prior to judging ) the way I judge a show is I sit in one room and the ferrets are brought to me I don't know there names where they came from or there owners names ( I cant see them being taken out of a box there simply number 1,2. 3 ect and brought to me by handlers ) no one is allowed near me prior to a judging ( I am even escorted to the loo lol ) afterwards I am available for questions and to answer why I gave what ever mark on a score sheet ferret shows are and should be simply for fun after all its only a judges opinion of what is best ! and what may be best one day at one show may be fourth on another day at another show ! it all depends who attends I refuse to judge any ferret owned or bred by me ( I dont understand why judges need to show there ferrets at a show they are judging ) ok you may say but there not judging there own no the judge at the next table is and they are judging another judges ferret ! ( ummm this is cutting it a bit close to the wire in my opinion after all aren't shows about fun is a ribbon really so important that you risk your reputation as a judge ?) and believe me people will say oh have you never noticed all the judges win something !( if you don't show on that day then your reputation stays in tact !) yes I love judging yes I love doing the shows ( even though they are hard work lol ) but I enjoy sharing knowledge more than anything its amazing just how many have switched to natural feeding after talking to people in different countries for me that is what shows are about sharing knowledge improving things for the animal we all love believe me I could tell you some stories from shows I have seen everything from painted toe nails ( yes on ferrets lol ) to tinted and scented fur lol I have had hobs smell of davidos cool water to jills smelling of channel number 5 ( they both lost points a ferret should smell of a ferret lol ) I think is anything bugs me at ferret shows ( and just my own personal cringe lol ) its shows where they provide communal litter trays ! dotted around the place for people who walk there ferrets on harnesses to use I shudder to think what could happen if just one ferret is a carrier of any viral disease and uses it its a ticking time bomb in a tray! for any ferrets that step into it they seem to forget not every ill ferret looks ill ! just my two pennys worth take care bye for now
Bev