Judging Criteria
Ferrets are judged on a number of different criteria depending on the type of class
Title Classes
In Title Classes ferrets are judged most heavily on their body structure, conformation, muscle tone, temperament, maintenance (how well the owner takes care of the ferret), and, to a lesser degree, their color. Title Classes are made up of three “rings” – meaning every ferret entered in a Title Class is judged separately by three different judges and has the chance to win up to three trophies and three ribbons, one from each judge. The ferret that averages the best ribbon placement from the three rings is dubbed the “Best of” each Title Class.
Title Classes Offered
Adolescent – Ferrets 16 weeks to 12 months of age that have not been altered (spayed or neutered) or were not altered as babies
Late Alter – Ferrets 1 year to 6 1/2 years of age that were altered later in life. That is, ferrets that were not altered as babies
Breeder – Ferrets 1 year to 6 1/2 years of age that have not been altered
Companion – Open to all ferrets that were altered under the age of 12 weeks – typically any ferret purchased from a pet store or adopted from a ferret shelter
Title Classes require ferrets to be presented in carriers. You will check in with the announcer and give your ferret in the carrier to a volunteer who will take the ferret back to the judges. The ferret will rest comfortably in the carrier, in the judges’ area, until all three judges have examined and scored your ferret. You will receive comment cards (one from each judge) likely with positive notes and suggestions for improvement. There is information in the Registration Informational Packet about the types of approved carriers.
Specialty Classes
Color and Pattern Classes are judged by a Specialty judge who is looking for the ferret who mostly closely meets the American Ferret Association (AFA) standard in that class. Although the judge is mainly looking at the coloring, in a tight competition the judge will also consider the maintenance of the ferret which includes such things as softness of fur, cleanliness of ears and teeth, clipped nails, etc. These include but are not limited to Chocolate, Mitt, Point, Roan, and Sable. Please see the Registration Informational Packet for the full list offered at this show.
The AFA color and pattern standards can be found here… www.ferret.org/events/colors/colorchart.html
Structure Specialty Classes are judged by a Specialty judge licensed in conformation (body structure) or a Title judge. Structure Specialty Classes are special categories of ferrets that are judged according to their conformation. These include Angora, Senior, Shelter(s), Passport and Physically Challenged. Judges are looking at their structure, muscle tone, temperament, maintenance. etc.
When handing your ferret to a Specialty judge, your hand should be cupped under your ferret’s arms, the other hand holding its bottom and the back of the ferret should face the judge (ferret’s face toward you) as you hand him/her over. This way there is less chance of a nervous bite as the judge takes the ferret
For more information please review the Registration Packet and visit the AFA website at www.ferret.org
Title Classes
In Title Classes ferrets are judged most heavily on their body structure, conformation, muscle tone, temperament, maintenance (how well the owner takes care of the ferret), and, to a lesser degree, their color. Title Classes are made up of three “rings” – meaning every ferret entered in a Title Class is judged separately by three different judges and has the chance to win up to three trophies and three ribbons, one from each judge. The ferret that averages the best ribbon placement from the three rings is dubbed the “Best of” each Title Class.
Title Classes Offered
Adolescent – Ferrets 16 weeks to 12 months of age that have not been altered (spayed or neutered) or were not altered as babies
Late Alter – Ferrets 1 year to 6 1/2 years of age that were altered later in life. That is, ferrets that were not altered as babies
Breeder – Ferrets 1 year to 6 1/2 years of age that have not been altered
Companion – Open to all ferrets that were altered under the age of 12 weeks – typically any ferret purchased from a pet store or adopted from a ferret shelter
Title Classes require ferrets to be presented in carriers. You will check in with the announcer and give your ferret in the carrier to a volunteer who will take the ferret back to the judges. The ferret will rest comfortably in the carrier, in the judges’ area, until all three judges have examined and scored your ferret. You will receive comment cards (one from each judge) likely with positive notes and suggestions for improvement. There is information in the Registration Informational Packet about the types of approved carriers.
Specialty Classes
Color and Pattern Classes are judged by a Specialty judge who is looking for the ferret who mostly closely meets the American Ferret Association (AFA) standard in that class. Although the judge is mainly looking at the coloring, in a tight competition the judge will also consider the maintenance of the ferret which includes such things as softness of fur, cleanliness of ears and teeth, clipped nails, etc. These include but are not limited to Chocolate, Mitt, Point, Roan, and Sable. Please see the Registration Informational Packet for the full list offered at this show.
The AFA color and pattern standards can be found here… www.ferret.org/events/colors/colorchart.html
Structure Specialty Classes are judged by a Specialty judge licensed in conformation (body structure) or a Title judge. Structure Specialty Classes are special categories of ferrets that are judged according to their conformation. These include Angora, Senior, Shelter(s), Passport and Physically Challenged. Judges are looking at their structure, muscle tone, temperament, maintenance. etc.
When handing your ferret to a Specialty judge, your hand should be cupped under your ferret’s arms, the other hand holding its bottom and the back of the ferret should face the judge (ferret’s face toward you) as you hand him/her over. This way there is less chance of a nervous bite as the judge takes the ferret
For more information please review the Registration Packet and visit the AFA website at www.ferret.org
