Standard

Standard ferret usually means the ordinary short-coated domestic ferret, Mustela putorius furo, rather than a special breed with a closed registry. It is the body and coat type most people picture: a long, flexible mustelid with short fur, small rounded ears, a tapering tail, and colors that may range from sable or black sable to albino, champagne, chocolate, cinnamon, silver, or dark-eyed white. Standard ferrets are kept as pets and, in some countries, as working animals for rabbiting, though pet lines and working lines may be selected differently.

Their management centers on the needs of an active carnivore. A standard ferret needs escape-proof housing, safe time out of the cage, litter areas that are easy to clean, and food based on animal protein rather than plant-heavy mixes. They are social animals but introductions should be supervised, especially with adults. Breeders who produce standard ferrets usually pay attention to temperament, size, dentition, fertility, and family health history, not only coat color. Local rules on ownership, descenting, and sale can vary.

Colors: Albino, Black, Black Sable, Champagne, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Dark‑Eyed White, Sable, Silver