There are three different body types in ferrets. Those are the Bulldog, Greyhound, and Whippet. Each of these breeds can be found in various colors, such as sable or black and tan. Officially and according to the AFA, it’s eight different colors in total.
Different types have different bone structures and weight distributions. They all have long bodies and short legs. But, there is more to the ferret than the appearance. There’s an unofficial classification with three main body types.
- Bull Dog Ferret Body Type: A Ferret with a Bulldog body type has a broad, strong body, and by its constitution, it is much bigger than other ferrets.
- Greyhound Ferret Body Type: A Ferret with a Greyhound body type is longer and less bulky than the bulldog ferret. The body is smaller, but they are still considered strong.
- Whippet Ferret Body Type: A Ferret with a Whippet body type is the lightest of the three ferret body types. Whippets have slender bodies, long legs, and usually walk around with a highly arched back.
Each of these breeds can be found in multiple colors!
Bulldog Ferret Body Type
The bulldog is the heaviest type, and it is bigger than other ferrets. It is believed to have originated from northern Europe.
It has a muscular body and a round head. They also have an appearance similar to but not identical to their namesake due to their stout build, which weighs more than most other ferrets.
Also, the bulldog body type of ferrets is not as tall as the Whippet, and it is not as long. They are bulkier, and if you happen to hold a bulldog ferret, you will notice that it’s a lot more muscular than the other body types.
Why do Bulldog Ferret Body Types Exist?
Well, there was a time when ferrets were heavily bred for their fur. The result of breeding a heavier, more muscular animal resulted in more fur. The bigger the animal – the more fur it would grow.
As a result, these ferrets were bred for multiple generations to make them bigger and stronger. This is why bulldog body types exist today in the first place; because of their popularity due partly to how much fur you could get “out of” an animal.
Luckily in most parts of the world, those practices are now illegal. Fur farms are banned in many countries around the world.
Greyhound Ferret Body Type
Greyhounds Ferrets are what I would call the standard ferret. It is longer and less bulky than the bulldog ferret. The body is smaller, but they are still considered strong. The head of the greyhound ferret has an elongated snout – it’s pretty easy to identify them by their appearance alone!
They are not really small, but rather have a longer body type. This is the kind of ferret that in Europe was used for hunting purposes. Ferreting is still permitted in Great Brittain.
Whippet Ferret Body Type
The Whippet Ferret is the lightest of the three ferret body types. They are very common in the United States and it is said that they have first been bred in the U.S.
Whippets have slender bodies, long legs, and usually walk around with a highly arched back.
There are more than 50% of whippet ferrets in the United State compared to other body types, which makes them very popular and known among owners as one type people should get when they’re looking for a pet!
It´s a highly energetic animal (like all ferrets) and will always be busy running around. Some owners might find this behavior as annoying if constant exercise is not provided for them!
But they are very sociable animals and love to spend time with people or other pets in the household!!! They´re generally considered one of the most affectionate ferrets out there when it comes down to petting sessions.
Different Colors
There are eight different colorations according to the AFA. Additionally, different patterns appear in the coat as well.
The eight different colors are:
- Albino
- Black
- Black Sable
- Champagne
- Chocolate
- Dark-Eyed White
- Sable
Adding to the variety that ferrets can show, there are also different patterns that they can have:
- Solid
- Standard
- Color Point (Siamese)
- Blaze
- Panda
- Roan
- Dark-Eyed White Pattern
- Solid Pattern
Feel free to read our article about Ferret Colors here.
Which Ferret Body Type To Pick?
The body types of your ferret won’t have much of an influence on how they act, but they can influence how your ferret lives. If you have a lot of space that is ideal for running around and being active, the Greyhound may be better suited to what will work best with their physiques!
The body type of your ferret won´t determine how active it is or how it behaves. Maybe a small tendency is to be made out depending on body types – but nothing can be said in general.
They are all active and joyful, funny and playful. The only difference is the body type and that’s it!
So please don’t choose your new furry friend based on its body type. Choose a reputable breeder or even better look for a ferret rescue organization to adopt your new family member from.
Breeder
When you are looking for a ferret make sure you pick a breeder that provides you with a socialized ferret. It should not bite, is well-behaved, and knows what a litter box is and how to use it.
They will need to be groomed and their nails should also get clipped every once in a while, just like your dogs or cats! The most important thing is that you take care of the ferret as it gets older.
Average Size of Ferrets
The male ferret, called a hob, can weigh up to 4 lb. The female, known as a jill, can weigh up to 2.5 lb. The females usually are weighing slightly less than males.
With the Bulldog Ferrets ranging at the upper end of the spectrum at around 4lb and the Whipped Body Type Ferret and the lower end of the spectrum at around 1200g.
Ferrets can vary in size depending on what their body type is and they go from a small to large range, but that doesn’t mean one ferret will be different than another just because it’s bigger or smaller!
The average ferret can grow to a size of about twenty inches long when an adult, and they usually live between six to ten years in their natural state before succumbing to old age (although this lifespan is affected by diet or typical ferret diseases such as cancer).
Summary
The three different body types of ferrets are the Bulldog, Greyhound, and Whippet. But even though they have different bodies there is no difference in how active or playful each one of them is because all ferrets love to be socialized with humans.
That´s why you should not base your choice on the body type of your ferret and should instead choose a reputable breeder that provides you with well-socialized, healthy animals.
We hope you enjoyed this article about Ferrer Body Type
