Dark Eyed White (DEW)
Dark-eyed Whites are frequently mislabeled as people with albinism. However, DEWs can synthesize color. Their undercoats are pure white, and their guard hairs are also mostly white. Pink noses are the norm, although brown-Ts, speckles, and even black noses are not out of the question (uncommon).
DEWs typically “roan out,” or gradually lose their color with each molt until they are entirely white. Many Silver/Roan and Blaze ferrets, as well as almost all Pandas and DEWs (see below), transition into DEWs.
Chocolate Ferrets
Chocolate ferrets have defended hairs in milk chocolate brown with warm tones. The underside of their coats can be a creamy white or even a light golden color.
Their noses are either pink, brown, beige, or brick red, and their eyes are either brown or dark burgundy. A light brown T shape can be drawn around the pink nose hue.
Champagne or Sandy Ferrets
In various parts of the world, people refer to champagne ferrets as “Sandy.” Their undercoat is white or cream colored. The colors of guard hairs are mostly in between the two extremes.
It’s possible for them to have a standard or point pattern. Usually the eyes are a deep ruby color, however ordinary brown is sometimes common. You should know that a champagne’s ruby eyes, in contrast to the albino’s, have pigment. Pink noses may occasionally have a tiny brown T or brown specks.
Champagne masks are seasonal and might be nearly undetectable during some times of the year. This does NOT make them pandas, though; the colored guard hairs are still present, and the masks often darken again with the following seasonal shift.
Cinnamon Ferrets
True Cinnamon ferrets are very rare, and some people say they don’t exist and are just a different kind of Champagne ferret. Their undercoat is white to cream-coloured. Guard hairs are like those of Champagne, but they have a clear red color.
Their pattern can be either point or standard. Eyes are usually dark ruby or normal brown. Not like the eyes of an albino, the ruby’s eyes have color. Most noses are pink, but sometimes they have a small brown T or brown spots.
Cinnamon masks can be different, and during some times of the year, they can get so light that they are hard to see.
Marked DEW
Marked Dark Eyed Whites are DEWs that have some colored guard hairs. Guard hairs that are colored can range from a few hairs on the butt to a clear mark.
Expect to be disappointed if you buy a ferret just for this marking. In almost all Marked DEWs, the dark hairs will get lighter with each shed and eventually go away (leading to an unmarked DEW).
Black Ferrets
The guard hairs on a black ferret will be a true black color. They have white or golden undercoats. Their eyes are dark brown or almost black, and their noses are also black. Sometimes they will have spots on their noses.
Siamese Mitt
The Siamese mitt ferret is identical in appearance to the Siamese ferret, with the exception that it has a mitt.
Albino Ferrets
By definition, albinos don’t have any color. If your ferret has even one colored guard hair or dark eyes, it is NOT an albino. See DEW and REW below for more information. Albinos have white guard hairs and a white undercoat.
Due to normal oil production, their fur may sometimes have a slight yellow tint. Noses are pink and have no marks on them. The bright red color of the eyes isn’t caused by red pigment, but by a lack of pigment that lets the red blood vessels of the retina show through.
White Ferrets
This pattern is sometimes called a “dark-eyed white” to differentiate it from albino ferrets. Their outer and undercoats will be shades of white and cream, with the former being the favoured exhibiting hue. A white ferret with dark eyes and a pink nose is called a “snowshoe.”
War Paint
Even though “War Paint” isn’t a real type of mask, many ferret owners lovingly call the masks on their pets “War Paint.” This term is used to describe masks with clear markings under the eyes that are mostly separate from the rest of the mask. The bridge of the nose may or may not be colored.
Types of Ferret Patterns
Standard Pattern
A ferret with a typical pattern will have between 90 and 100 percent of its guard hairs colored, with the remainder of its guard hairs being dyed white.
They will have a fill or T mask across their faces, and their bodies will have a lighter color than their points. Additionally, their points will be darker.
Roan Pattern
Ferrets with roan patterns have between 50 and 60 percent of their guard hairs colored, with the balance being white. They can wear a variety of masks, determined on the hue of their skin.
Point Pattern
Point ferrets, often known as the Siamese pattern, are characterized by a striking contrast between their body color and the color of their points. The color of the ferret will determine the design of its mask.
Black, sable, black sable, cinnamon, and chocolate ferrets can all wear a V-shaped mask. A V mask or no mask at all is acceptable for champagnes. Ferrets with a point pattern aren’t allowed to use the T pattern or a full mask.
Solid Pattern
A ferret with a solid pattern should have dye applied evenly throughout its guard hairs. The solid pattern on a ferret’s body should be maintained from head to tail.
Mitt Pattern
Ferrets that have a pattern known as a mitten will have white mittens on all four of their feet. A white bib, knee patches, and tail tip are optional additions to their look.
Blaze Pattern
Ferrets that have the blaze pattern will have a long white blaze that begins on their forehead and extends down between their ears before coming to a stop at their shoulders.
Their mask can be of any design they choose, but it must never cover their entire face in one color. It’s possible to make out colored rings around their eyes.
Their front and hind feet could have white mittens or white tips, depending on the species (smaller than mitts). Additionally, they could have white patches on their knees and a white tip on the tip of their tail.
On their stomachs, you can put a white bib, speckles, or roaning. Any of these options is appropriate.
Panda Pattern
A panda pattern ferret, including its head, neck, and throat, should be nearly all white. Guard hairs over the eyes might be a different hue, creating shadowed rings.
A panda-patterned ferret’s fur should be black and white, with four white mittens and possibly white knee patches and a white tail tip.
Striped Pattern
This pattern is found on white ferrets and consists of a band of darker guard hairs. The brown stripe runs down the middle of a ferret’s back. Even though the American Ferret Association doesn’t recognize this pattern, you might find it in a domesticated ferret.
Mutt Pattern
Even though the American Ferret Association doesn’t recognize this coat pattern, it’s the one most people use when describing a ferret with a coat color and pattern that doesn’t fit any of the others.
A single ferret’s coat may feature a rainbow of colors, roaning, spotting, and other patterns.
