Advice Whippet & Ferrets

[northwestmitch 9]

Hope you can give me some sound advice, it would be much appreciated.

I have a young Whippet pup, 10 wks old, from some top coursing, racing blood, both parents are excellent workers.

What i wont to know, can you introduce a adult Whippet to ferrets? The reason i am asking is hes my first Whippet and i dont have any permission as yet and because of the area i live in dont know if Im likely to get any?, so i might have to settle for a bit of mooching. I would love to work him alongside Ferrets but dont wont to end up with a couple of pets.

So my dilemma is Ferrets now or wait and see if i can get hold of some permission. again i would appreciate all your thoughts and advice. Regards

[stubby 175]

Id say, get some ferrets now, even if they have to become pets, rather than works, much better to get it used to ferts now, than risk that it might not later,

we took on a 4yr jack russel, our 9yr old get on fine with ferts, but I could never trust him around them, as he's not been broken to ferts, and still eyes them up as though they were rats

[Brimmer 220]

Yep sooner rather than later. They all become part of the gang, and leave each other alone when brought up together.

[auld salmon 28]

i got my lurcher after my ferrets so they would get used to each other the dog got a few nips of them so she learnt quickly but they get on with each other now so sooner the better

[The one 8,486]

We got our lurcher off of here and when we tried her with ferrets she was solid , try it and see how it goes once they click the ferrets going to give them somthing to chase the battles over

[Big bald beautiful 1,231]

yep, i got ferrets to break my whippets to.its always handy in case you get an invite out

[Halfinch 51]

Same as all the others, get the ferts now, IF you do get permission your still gonna have all the responsability's that come with owning ferrets then, so what's the difference even if they end up as JUST pets.

And it will be MUCH easier to break your whippet to them as a pup.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[stealthy1 3,964]

Agree with everyone else, get ferrets and run them through pipes in front of whippit, by the time you get them sorted you may have permission and get them out.

[knocker 0]

my dog ignores my ferrets, the same can't be said for the ferrets ignoring the dog though i'd get the ferts now and get them as young as possible so you have the best chance of them mixing

[Brimmer 220]

Also remember this, i've seen so called 'Pet Ferrets' a good few years old, rehomed to working lads, and turned into absolute scorchers in the field!

If they are of the mindset, instict is too strong a pull for a good ferret!

[festa 206]

and here's the proof i took on 3 "pets" last week 2 polecats and 1 ferret all 3 were pets bought for kids who then lost interest these had never been out in the field never mind seen a rabbit so not sure how much training i needed give them i decided to take them out to 3 sets started gentle with them 1st set was only a 4 eye ,,2nd and 3rd both 12 eyes and for 3 "pets" who never worked im well chuffed

 

 

 

 

 

cheers gary

[northwestmitch 9]

Thanks everyone for your advice, Never had Ferrets before so will read up on them, am i right in saying this is the wrong time of year for any litters to be about? So are adult Ferrets ok to introduce to my pup? dont wont some big hob hanging off my pups face ,, so again what advice.

Are there any local lads to the Merseyside/Skem area that might be able to help me out with a couple of Ferrets or even let my pup get used to being around there Ferrets until next years litters arrive?

[Halfinch 51]

Thanks everyone for your advice, Never had Ferrets before so will read up on them, am i right in saying this is the wrong time of year for any litters to be about? So are adult Ferrets ok to introduce to my pup? dont wont some big hob hanging off my pups face ,, so again what advice.

Are there any local lads to the Merseyside/Skem area that might be able to help me out with a couple of Ferrets or even let my pup get used to being around there Ferrets until next years litters arrive?

Yes, your right about no kitts being about this time of year, well not normally but there have been a couple of people on here saying there jills are coming into season, but generally no kitts till spring, adult ferrets maybe ok to introduce to your pup, depending on there background and temprement,a nip on the pups nose probably aint a bad thing, it'll keep him away from the ferts, but you don't want him to be scared of them because they gotta work together, best if you can find a fert that is used to dogs, i've got a couple here, but i'm a bit far away, keep an eye on the ads, i'm sure someone will have something suitable.

But do your homework on the care a ferret will need, it's easy when you get in a routine but they can take up a bit of your time.