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When describing a ferret's appearance, two terms are used: Color and Pattern. Color refers to the color of the ferret's guard hair, undercoat, eyes, and nose. Pattern always refers to the concentration and distribution of color on the body, mask, and nose. Where applicable, pattern can also refer to white markings that appear on the head or feet.

Using the tables below, you should be able to describe your ferret's color and pattern. Where they appear, links highlight photographs illustrating the color or pattern. The final table provides a grid that lists the color/pattern names as you would use them to describe your ferret, particularly on an AFA show entry form.

Color Standards - The Basics

	Guard Hairs	Undercoat	Eyes	Nose
Albino	Albino is absence of pigment (guard hairs will be white) and absence of pattern.
	white to cream, with white preferable	white to cream, with white preferable	ruby red only	pink only
Black	true black in color	preferred is white, but a slight golden hue is acceptable	black or near black	preferred is black or near black. Speckled black is acceptable.
Black Sable	dark ash blackish brown with no warm brown tone with noticeable black glossy shine.	preferred is a white to cream but not yellow	dark brown or near black	preferred is ash blackish brown through mottled or heavy speckled blackish brown is acceptable.
Champagne	tan or diluted version of chocolate	preferred is a white to cream but not yellow	light to dark burgundy	preferred is beige, pink or pink with a beige or light brown 'T' outline.
Chocolate	warm milk chocolate brown	preferred is white, but a slight golden hue is acceptable	brown is preferred, dark burgundy is acceptable	preferred is pink, beige, or pink with light brown 'T' outline. A brick nose color is acceptable
Cinnamon	Cinnamons will display a strong reddish cast to the guard hairs. A noticeable color difference exists between Cinnamons and Champagnes; Cinnamons are not as common as Champagnes.
	rich light reddish brown	preferred is a golden hue, but a white is acceptable	light to dark burgundy	preferred is brick colored, beige/pink with light brown or brick 'T' outline. Pink is allowed but not preferred.
Dark-eyed White	This color variety is referred to as Dark-eyed White (DEW) or Dark-eyed White Pattern (DEW Pattern) regardless of which other color is present.
	white to cream, with white preferable	white to cream, with white preferable	burgundy	pink only
Sable	warm deep brown	preferred is a white to cream or light golden but not yellow	brown or near black	preferred is a light brown, speckled/mottled brown, or brown 'T' outline.

Color Concentration - The Color Patterns

	Color Concentration	Mask Type	Nose Color
Standards	The percentage of colored guard hairs should be approximately 90% to 100% in relation to white guard hairs but the color concentration is not as heavy as in the Solid pattern. The body will appear lighter in color (concentration) and the points will be easily discernable.	full or 'T' bar mask	Appropriate for color standard
Roans	50% to 60% colored guard hairs (any color) vs. 40% to 50% white guard hairs	The mask depends on the color and underlying pattern.	The nose color also depends on the color and underlying pattern.
Point (Siamese)	The Point pattern will show a distinct difference in color concentration between the body color and the points.	The mask must be a thin 'V' mask for black, black sable, sable, cinnamon and chocolates, not a full or 'T' bar mask. Champagnes may have a 'V' mask or no mask.	The nose color should be lighter than the above stated nose colors meaning pink, beige, or 'T' outline.
Solids	The percentage of colored guard hairs should be ideally 100% in relation to white guard hairs which should realistically be 0% in the body and points. This pattern gives an appearance of solid color concentration from the head to the tail	full or 'T' bar mask	Appropriate for color standard

White Markings - The White Patterns

	Head Markings	Eyes	Nose	Mitts	Other Markings
Blaze	There must be a long white blaze from the forehead, between the ears, down the back of the neck, preferably to the shoulders. Mask will vary depending on the color concentration standard. Minor color rings around the eyes and small masks are acceptable. Full masks are not acceptable.	Eyes should be varying shades of ruby to brown.	The nose should be pink or pink with a light outline.	Front feet and hind feet should have white tips or mitts.	Knee patches may be present and a white tip on the tail is acceptable. Bib, white or speckled bellies, and roaning are also acceptable.
Panda	The preferred Panda should have an almost completely white head which includes the neck and throat. Colored guard hairs forming eye rings are acceptable.	Eyes should be varying shades of burgundy.	The nose should be pink or pink with a light outline.	Mitts should be present on all four feet.	Knee patches may be present and a white tip on the tail is acceptable.
Mitts	Masks and other head markings should be appropriate for color concentration standard	Eyes should be varying shades of burgundy.	The nose color is dependent on body color standard.	Mitts should be present on all four feet.	Bib and knee patches may be present and a white tip on the tail is acceptable.

Color/Pattern Combination Chart

Use these color-pattern descripations when entering ferrets into AFA Championship Shows.

• Albino is absence of pigment and pattern. Any solid white ferret with red(pink) eyes is an Albino.
• Dark-eyed White (DEW) is any solid white ferret with eye color other than red(pink).
• Dark-eyed White Pattern (DEW Pattern) is any ferret at least 90% white with eye color other than red(pink) with any pattern of stripe, spot(s) or sprinkling of colored guard hairs.

	Black	Black Sable	Champagne	Chocolate	Cinnamon	Sable
Blaze	Black Blaze	Black Sable Blaze	Champagne Blaze	Chocolate Blaze	Cinnamon Blaze	Sable Blaze
Panda	Black Panda	Black Sable Panda	Champagne Panda	Chocolate Panda	Cinnamon Panda	Sable Panda
Point (Siamese)	Black Point	N/A	Champagne Point	Chocolate Point	Cinnamon Point	Sable Point
Roans	Black Roan (aka Silver)	Black Sable Roan	Champagne Roan	Chocolate Roan	Cinnamon Roan	Sable Roan
Solid	Black Solid always has mitts; see Black Mitt	Black Sable Solid	Champagne Solid	Chocolate Solid	Cinnamon Solid	Sable Solid
Standard	Black Standard always has mitts; see Black Mitt	Black Sable Standard	Champagne Standard	Chocolate Standard	Cinnamon Standard	Sable Standard

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