Blog

Enjoying being here in PEI and learning a little bit about my new home.

For example I recently learned about an economic boom that started right here on the Island.

Turns out, it was the birthplace of the lucrative fox-farming industry. 

Now in the late 1800's, a black fox (or silver fox) was rare and it's pelt was in great demand in the Russian and Hapsburg empires. A single pelt could bring in a small fortune. So in 1900, Charles Dalton and Robert Oulton devised a plan. Instead of trapping the rare black fox, they  worked together to capture, breed and domesticate fox to create a breed of black fox.

They realized that a mutation of the red fox, the silver fox is the result of a recessive gene. If a red fox vixen had a litter, sometimes a rare black fox would occur. However, if you could get two black foxes to breed,  your odds of producing more silver foxes would increase.

The real problem was in getting these elusive foxes and creating an environment where they would  breed in captivity.

Not only were  Dalton and Oulton they successful in their endeavours, they jump started an industry. 

In an age where the average farm worker earned $320 annually, learning that 25 black fox pelts could earn $34,649.59 a year, ensured that "Silver Fox Fever" was in full swing. When the fever reached its apex, 8,000 fox ranches were spread throughout the island.  The silver fox industry underpinned the economy for almost 100 years. Peak prices for a breeding pair of silver foxes cost $35,000.

Ingenious Islanders who couldn't get there hands on foxes, tried to sell racoon, beavers and even skunks which were dyed and marked as sable. Laughable, but it was worth a try.

Unfortunately, like all good things, it didn't last forever. The war, overproduction and competition with Scandinavian and the Soviet Union meant that by 1915's demand was down and although it rallied briefly in the 20's and later in the 30's, by 1950 the party was over. Though they still had pelts, the fox ranchers lost their shirts.

Some breeders released their foxes into the wild and they are still seen all over the island. Mostly red, but it isn't unusual to see a silver fox now and then. 

Oh by the way, in case you are interested, in today's market a domesticated silver fox, with the personality of a dog, can set you back $10,000. Be aware that along with the black and silver coat, there is also something else that they share in common with your garden variety skunk, and though the scent is not as strong it might take some getting used to.