Can This Be Real? Man Buys Two 'Toy Poodles' Only to Discover Later That They Were Ferrets Jacked Up on Steroids

(YouTube)

Bazaar salesmen in Argentina apparently think customers are pretty gullible as they are reportedly passing off ferrets on steroids as toy poodles. Unfortunately, some people really are that easily fooled and have seemingly purchased the modified ferrets.

The Daily Mail and other websites have noted a local news report out of Buenos Aires that claims to reveal the scheme. A man who reportedly purchased two "toy poodles" at the La Salada market took his animal to the vet and soon discovered that they were not canines at all, but huge roided-up ferrets or "Brazilian rats," as some Argentinians call them.

The veterinarian told the man that the ferrets "had been given steroids at birth to increase their size and then had some extra grooming to make their coats resemble a fluffy toy poodle," the Daily Mail reports, translating a report from a local TV station in Argentina.

He paid $150 per poodle.

"Another woman interviewed by the station said she was tricked into thinking she had purchased a chihuahua at the same market," Yahoo! News reports.

The Daily Mail provides a guide on how to make sure you don't get stuck with a ferret when you really wanted a poodle:

• Ferrets typically have brown, white or mixed fur and are around 51 cm in length—which includes a 13 cm tail.

• They weigh around three pounds and have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years.

• When happy, ferrets may perform a routine known as the weasel war dance—which is characterized by a series of hops and frenzied attempts to bump into things.

• This is often accompanied by a soft clucking noise called dooking. When upset, ferrets make a hissing noise.

• Toy poodles are known for their intelligence and are around 25 cm tall and weigh around nine pounds.

• If a toy poodle exceeds 25 cm height, it cannot compete in any dog show as a toy poodle.

• Toy poodles have been known to live as long as 20 years.

• Toy poodles are described as sweet, cheerful, perky and lively, and they love to be around people.

Would you fall for this scam?

All screengrabs via the Daily Mail