A ferret show, well, its a show (like a dog show) for ferrets. There is no "direct" competition, like racing or jumping, like some dog shows (some ferret shows have "fun matches" which may include a tube race or something similar), but rather it is all conformation based, where the judge examines and handles your ferret, and judges him/her against the other ferrets in the class and according to the "standard". Each group that hosts shows (American Ferret Association, League of Independant Ferret Enthusiasts, Legion of Superferrets, ect) all have different "standards". So, your ferret may do very well at one groups sponsored show, and very poorly at anothers. Don't take it personally. Thats my first suggestion to you; go to the shows with an attitude of meeting other ferret lovers and having a good time, rather than with a cut-throat competitive one. You'll have much more fun, learn a lot more, and enjoy the day in general much more.
Okay, so you've found a ferret show in your area. Congrats! You want to go....first off, ALL shows have health requirements for your ferret. Most require distemper and rabies (some do not require rabies if they're hosted in a non-rabies requiring state) vaccinations, given by a vet within the last year, with paper proof of such. Some are also as of late requiring ADV test results. If you vaccinate at home, you will need to keep decent records, along with the labels from the vaccine bottles, and the rabies info from your vet (since most states prohibit anyone except a veterinarian to administer rabies vaccinations). You will need to bring proof from your vet of any required tests/vaccinations in order to be admitted into the show hall. This is not only to protect your ferret, but mine, and every else's ferret who are in attendance. If the show you're thinking of attending does NOT have any requirements, please consider that your ferret could be exposed to a myriad of health problems, and decide from there if attending that show is in you and your ferrets best interest.
So, you've got all your paperwork together, and you are now working on filling out the entry forms. What IS all this stuff?
Most shows have "specialty" and "championship" classes. Whats the difference? Well, the specialty classes are broken down by color, and judged on that particular color's "standard". You will be competing with other ferrets that look like yours if you enter a specialty class. Championship classes are not broken down by color, but rather most of the time by age; ie: kit hob (male baby ferret), kit jill (female baby ferret), alter adult (spayed or neutered adult male or female ferrets)...ect ect. You will be competing against many different looking ferrets in this class. These classes are usually much larger than the specialty classes. Not everyone in the Championship classes recieves a ribbon, where in most specialty classes, all entries are pinned (meaning everyone gets a ribbon).
So if I'm not going to get a ribbon, why would I enter a championship class?
Well, championship classes USUALLY accrue points. If you are going to be showing your ferret Bandit in many shows, he can accumluate points and at the end of the year reach different "tiers" (bronze, silver, ect), and then be recognized for these points. Breeders also enter championship classes so they can say they have this ferret that has x amount of points, and has done so well, and then sell their kits (babies) for more money.
Okay, so I've decided what classes I want to be in, now what color is my ferret?
There is a great page on ferret colors, at www.ferret.org/colorchart.htm. If you're still confused, you can email me a photo of your ferret, and I can either help you personally, or ask a certified judge for you what they would consider your ferrets color to be. A quick rundown of ferret terms: Jill - Female unspayed ferret; Hob - Male non-neutered ferret; Sprite: Female Spayed Ferret; Gib: Neutered Male Ferret; Kit - Young or baby ferret; Alter - A spayed or neutered ferret.
Okay, the show is about a week away. What should I be doing before I get there?
This is the most important part of the show, the pre-show and daily MAINTENANCE care of your ferret. Most judges are very strict about maintenance, and it can either cost you or win you a class. The most important parts of maintenance are:
The coat
The ears
The teeth
The temperment
The nails
The coat...unless its the dead of shedding season, the coat should be maintained by daily care such as feeding a good diet, brushing/plucking during shedding season, and keeping your ferrets environment clean and sanitary. Crappy foods make for crappy, dry, brittle coats. Certain diseases can attribute to nasty coats. Healthy ferrets fed a high protein & fat diet should have soft, lustrous coats. Overbathing can cause dry skin, dandruff & dry coats too. If you're bathing your ferret more than once a month, you're over bathing. The night before the show, I usually give my ferrets the first bath they've had since the last show, and I use either ferret shampoo (available at most petstores), or baby shampoo, or (my personal favorite), glycerine soap. Before bathing, place a tiny bit of petroleum jelly in your ferrets eyes to prevent any stingy soap bubbles from irritating them.
The ears. Yuck. I have a houseful of ear wax collecting ferrets. I clean them, they're dirty all over again within a week. Before the show, I begin cleaning their ears with a ear cleaning solution (I like Cerumene) about 2 weeks prior, every 3 days or so. I don't use a qtip unless I see big pieces of wax (wax should be brown or reddish brown, not black. If you see black wax, check with your vet to rule out mites). Qtips are fine, just not used so often. The night before the show, before they have their bath, I do a super ear cleaning with cleaner and qtips to make sure that the ears are clean all the way down. Don't jam that qtip too far down, you can hurt them. Use common sense with qtips....
The teeth. This is where you may need to ask a friend or your vet for some help. I've worked as a vet tech for many years, and feel comfortable enough to scale my ferrets teeth at home on my own. If you don't, don't fret. Most shelter operators are able to do this, as is your vet (he/she may want to do an ultrasonic cleaning if there is a large amount of tartar or if your ferret has gingivitis, which he may want to anesthetize your ferret for. Depending on your ferrets age, and your vet, he/she may want to do pre-anaesthesia bloodwork). Teeth do accumulate tartar, and dirty teeth will take your hard earned points and drive them right down. I've seen people doing teeth scrapings at shows, but that is cutting it a little close, since sometimes during scalings the gums may bleed, and you don't want to hand a judge your ferret with his/her gums a bloody mess. I'd suggest doing the teeth about 1 week from the date of show.
The temperment...this shouldn't be something you're panicking to fix a week before the show. A well socialized ferret should already have a great temperment. If your ferret is nervous around strangers, you should have started getting him used to being handled by someone other than yourself a while ago! :) A ferret that is calm yet alert, bright yet not too wiggly..well, that can't do anything but impress a judge. Daily playing and handling will make MOST ferrets have a wonderful temperment. If your ferret is a biter, I wouldn't suggest taking him/her to a show. A bite to the judge can (and usually does) result in a disqualification.
The nails...Nails are the one thing I am really anal about. I hate seeing long hooklike nails, with 3" quicks. I hate long nails, and I hate long quicks even worse. The quick is the red line that runs inside the nail and supplies it with blood. You should be clipping your ferrets nails every other week or so even without a show,...but now that the date is set, about one week prior to the show, you should give your ferrets nails a "general" trim. Thats with cutting 1/2 way between the end of the quick and the end of the nail. Then, about 3 days before the show date, I take the clippers and do a "show" nail clip, where I get as close as I can to the quick without causing them pain or discomfort. Then, I take an emery board and file the sharp edges off. Judges don't like scratchy nails, they hurt. Imagine being shredded all day by hundreds of ferrets. They will take points off for long, sharp or quicked (clipped to the point of bleeding) nails.
What Should I Bring to a Show?
Well, first off...your ferret! :) But, he/she will need a small cage or carrier of some sort for the day. In that carrier or cage, you should have things your ferret needs, like a litter box, a water bottle or bowl, some food in a bowl, a hammock or sleep sack, and something to go on the bottom of the cage. I use Martin's Barn Carriers as show carriers, since they're small like a cat carrier, but open with coated wire so my ferrets can see out and be seen (showing off your beautiful ferrets is a fun part of showing). I carpet them with carpet samples that I get from the local carpet store (don't you dare pay more than a buck a piece for them), as well as a litter pan (the small cat pans from WalMart fit perfectly into the Barn Carriers), secured with a clip, a crock lock bowl for food, a 16 ounce water bottle, and a stainless steel drip cup that is attached to the cage (like a crock lock, but attached to the carrier with a wing nut and a circular ring). They also have a hammock and usually a toy or 2 if they're a toy loving ferret. Remember, they're going to be in this carrier or cage all day, provide them with the things that they like and you'll have a happier ferret. You can prevent any messes by clipping everything down (especially the water, and keep the bottle out of there during the ride because they WILL leak and make a huge mess) and not giving your ferret anything messy as a treat like Nutrical. If you have a litterbox sleeper, you're going to have to be extra vigilant in keeping the box clean. Nothing like having your beautifully cleaned, fresh smelling ferret take a nap in a big fresh dump. Yuck! but, that brings me to my next point....(what a yucky segue)
What else should I bring?
Well, I bring everything except the kitchen sink. I'm not a light packer to begin with, but if I'm going anywhere with the ferrets, its usually a big production. I think of everything I could possibly need, and bring 2. :) Nah, not really, usually I bring:
My travel box, with grooming tools (ear wash, qtips, brush, tooth scaler, cotton balls, nail snips, emery board, paper towels, hand cleaner (very important...keep reading for more info on that), and some smell good spray).
A roll of paper towels
Extra Food
Water from Home
Extra Litter
Some sort of cleaner (messes happen)
Their VET RECORDS!
Extra money, there are always great vendors at shows
A regular bath towel
Ferret Snacks
I bring a lot of other things too, a book to read (sometimes judging runs long and it gets a bit boring), a CD player, a camera...whatever makes your travel and trip comfortable and fun for you, too!
What about when I get there?
Okay, you're there! Have fun! But, also be aware of others. Not everyone may be as diligent as caring for their ferrets as you are. I try not to touch stranger's ferrets, and if I do, I use the instant waterless hand cleaner that I've brought along before touching my ferrets. I don't let strangers touch my ferrets, either, unless they first agree to wash their hands with that same cleaner. Most people are understanding and very willing to do that, if they seem offended, just say its for your ferrets and theirs protection, and suggest after they've finished touching your ferret and before they leave, that they wash their hands again. ADV is out there, and its not known exactly how its spread, so its better to be safe than sorry. Before each class, give your ferrets a once over, and make sure their ears are still clean, and their coat is fluffy and clean. Its too late to worry about too much at this point, so just do your best and enjoy yourself. Most judges can tell you where you can make improvements after your class is called and ribbons handed out.
All in all, just go, take your ferrets and have a blast. Ferret shows can be and usually are a great time. I hope to see you at one sometime!
:)
Kim
Here's a listing of upcoming ferret shows, courtesy of the American Ferret Association
http://www.ferret.org/events/events.shtm
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or suggestions for this page, please feel free to email me and let me know of them.
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