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i'm not sure which kind i want to get

2007-02-17 15:16:06 · 7 answers · asked by girl. 2 in Pets Other - Pets

7 answers

Well, either hamsters can make good pets. Most biters can be tamed easily over just a few weeks of handling. If you let them climb into a tube, like a paper towel roll, and plopped them into your hand they most never bite for some reason. They are more likely to bite you trying to get them out of their comfy habitat. I'd be freaked out if some giant hand was trying to pluck me out of my home! Once accustomed to you, you will be able to lift them out of their habitat.

I can say this. Once teddy bear hamsters are tamed, they are tamed for life. The dwarf varieties need consistent handling or could essentially start biting again. The rarely seen robo hamsters are the least domesticated of all the dwarf types, but they are way too fidgety in my opinion.

Consider that teddy bear hamsters need larger quarters than the dwarfs if space is an issue. Teddy bears are quite cuddly once handled, the dwarfs seem to always want to be on the go but can be affectionate(I have one).

Either way, make sure you are prepared, glad you are asking questions first, any pet is a huge responsibility but bigger joy. If you go to a larger pet store always ask if they have any hamsters for adoption, they usually do. Best of luck~

2007-02-17 15:35:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Please, Please Read: There is no such thing as a "Teddy Bear" hamster. This is what the pet stores have named a Longhaired Syrian to get a few more dollars. The "Teddy Bear", "Black Bear", "Panda Bear", "Dalmation", "Honey Bear", "Hershey Bear", "Calico" are all the same species- Syrian hamsters and have just been named based on their fur and/or color to allow the pet stores to charge more for them. Most consumers are not aware of this. Those that have noticed a difference between a "Teddy Bear" and a "Black Bear" are only observing the individual differences in each hamster's personality and breeding.

There are five different species of hamsters commonly kept as pets. The largest is the Syrian hamster. Pet stores often come up with creative names to get more money for them. They will name them- Panda Bears, Teddy Bears, Black Bears, Honey Bears, Hershey Bears, Polar Bears, Goldens, etc.. Don't be fooled by the different names, they are all the same species. There is no difference in temperment just because they're different colors.

Then there are three dwarf species, Campbells Dwarf, Winter White Dwarf and Roborovski Dwarf. Any other name is incorrect. Many pet stores don't even know what they're selling. There are differences between each of the dwarf species.

Finally there is the Chinese hamster. Many people will call it a dwarf hamster but it's not.

Below is a link to the Pet Website. It describes in detail the different species. There is also a hamster forum where you can ask specific questions to hamster owners and experts.
http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/hamster_species.htm

I would also recommend you do an internet search for hamster breeders in your area. Hopefully there are some. Type "hamster breeders (state)" or "(state) hamster breeders" or "(state) hamstery". There are also lists of breeders on Hamsters Galore:
http://groups.msn.com/Hamstersgalore/breeders.msnw
and the Internet Hamster Association of North America:
http://groups.msn.com/InternetHamsterAssoc/breedernew.msnw

A breeder will be able to tell you about the species they breed and can help decide if it's the species for you. A breeder will not charge you more for one color over another. A reputable breeder will be a member of the Internet Hamster Association of North America.

I breed Syrian hamsters and really enjoy them. I think that they make great pets. I do prefer the longhaired ones myself. Most of my males will just sit in my hand to be loved on. Females tend to be more active. Syrian hamsters are easier to handle than any of the dwarves or the Chinese.

Syrians are the best hamsters for beginners. The Campbells Russian Dwarves, Winter White Russian Dwarves and Chinese hamsters are good for intermediate hamster owners. The Roborovski hamsters are best suited for advanced hamster owners.

The Campbells and Winter Whites have been improperly bred by the commercial breeders for so long now that there are significant temperament and health problems with them. The commercial breeders are also producing an alarming amount of Campbells-Winter White hybrids. It's gotten to the point that as a breeder, if you can't trace your Winter White line back to the point that it entered the US, then you have to assume it's a hybrid. The same problem exists in Europe. Another major problem these two Russian Dwarve have is diabetes. It has been observed in one pet store chain store that 30-50% of the Campbell they were selling had early onset diabetes. There's no way to determine how many of them developed late onset diabetes but probably another significant percentage of them. If you decide to purchase a dwarf, I strongly recommend you find a breeder that tests their animals for diabetes and is free from it.

Any hamster selective bred for temperament will rarely bite and are very easy to handle. If you do go to a pet store to purchase a hamster, whether it be a Syrian or a dwarf, be sure to hold the animal in the store yourself. If it bites you in the store, put it back and select another. Also watch the store employees when they get the hamster out. If they're scared, then there's a reason for it. The employees know the temperament of the animals they sell. If they're scared then they know that they're likely to be bit. Leave that store and try another.

-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com

2007-02-18 02:11:04 · answer #2 · answered by radiocricket 4 · 0 0

Dwarf all the way. I don't care what anyone says about them being mean, biting etc. I've had a total of 4 all my life, and 2 lived for 6 years, and the other 2 lived 7. They never started biting or getting 'mean' until they were VERY old, blind and probably deaf, and in that case it was very well understood why they were biting!!
They LOVE socialization, they love your attention. And as long as you give them that, they'll be your best little pocket pets ever!!
Hampsters, I've never owned and I won't put them down. But personally, I think they are ugly little things and have known SOOOO many to have such crappy temperments.

2007-02-17 15:27:35 · answer #3 · answered by dreamkillerkitten 3 · 0 1

I think it really depends on what you want. Teddy Bear hamsters, so I've been told are more prone to wet tail b/c if they get the runs or whatever, their fur is longer so it sticks to them.....
I had and my husband has, a Syrian and they were really nice to have... active, friendly, short hair..... If you really want to find out what's best for you, do some research on the net or go to the library, or even walk into a pet store and ask what breed of hamster they would recommend for somebody. See what you find out and see what appeals to you most, then make your decision.

Good luck and enjoy your hamster when you get it.

2007-02-17 15:22:00 · answer #4 · answered by jessicadiamond_4einc 4 · 0 1

They are both equally good as pets. We have had both over the years. The pygmy or dwarf as you call them do seem a little funnier in their behavior, they roll a lot at play.

2007-02-17 15:21:01 · answer #5 · answered by JAN 7 · 0 1

the teddy is better cause the dwaf is 2 small and it bites alot

2007-02-17 15:22:37 · answer #6 · answered by xxx_isawyouinmysleep_xxx 1 · 0 1

dwarfs bite you if they don't know you

2007-02-17 15:21:21 · answer #7 · answered by <3 4 · 0 1

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