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Old 03-12-2017, 12:06 PM   #1
HawkEagle
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Default Help with hamster breeds, please :)

Hello,
Could you tell me whether Chinese hamsters generally become tame as pets? If not, what hamster breed (other than Syrian) is good if you would like to handle your hamster?
Thanks
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Old 03-12-2017, 12:09 PM   #2
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Default Re: Help with hamster breeds, please :)

They're species not breeds,but any hamster can become tame regardless of species.Chinese and robos can become tame,although it isn't as likely as for example a Russian of some sort or a Syrian(even though Syrians can be just as difficult to tame,despite the inaccurate cuddly hamster stereotype).

As long as you take the taming process slow and do so gently and on the hamster's terms,it is possible.Starting with a younger hamster can help you have better luck,but really it isn't impossible to tame a hamster at any age!
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Old 03-12-2017, 12:20 PM   #3
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Default Re: Help with hamster breeds, please :)

Robos and Chinese are both hard to tame as the robos are quick little runners and the Chinese like to hide so unless you pick it up you may have to chase it around and that's not any good. But you need a lot of patience for the hammy to trust to the point of crawling on your hand and let you pick it up. I never experienced that with 4 different Chinese hamsters.

Russians and WW are lots of fun and you can handle them once tame, generally they are more active and can bond with them quicker. They don't require as much patience as a robo or a Chinese.

Russians and WW hybrids and Chinese are all prone to diabetes. That makes my favorite species robos and Syriains at this point. Hope this helps! I love robos! I love my Syrian too! No more Chinese for me as I don't have the patience as they like to hide where with robos they are fun to watch even if you can't handle them.

Usually they will take treats from you and depending on the robo you can handle them accordingly. Various personalities, just like all the hammies
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Old 03-12-2017, 01:07 PM   #4
cypher
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Default Re: Help with hamster breeds, please :)

Chinese hamsters can become very tame & many enjoy being handled, they are sometimes very shy to begin with but with patience they make the most adorable pets.
If you are unfamiliar dwarf hams (I think you have a robo?) you would probably find a Russian (a Winter white or campbells if from a breeder or a Russian hybrid if from a pet shop) to be a lot easier to tame & handle, they generally really enjoy interacting & having time out of the cage in a play pen or other safe play area (not in a hamster ball).
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Old 03-12-2017, 03:43 PM   #5
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Default Re: Help with hamster breeds, please :)

I don't have any personal experience with any hamster species except Winter Whites, but what you have been told so far is accurate.

Winter Whites and Campbells (and Hybrids) are probably the tamest dwarf hamsters. They have very sweet little personalities, run around like crazy lunatics and then sit still for cuddles. They are also smaller, so cage size isn't as big of an issue and there are better toys available (easier to find, smaller and so more to buy ).

Hamsters from breeders are the tamest though, so that's always a good place to start. You are also likely to get a healthier animal. It does depend on where you live though. The Uk is a very easy place to get friendly, show quality hamsters (most breeders show their hamsters). I am very fortunate to be so incredible near to a well respected breeder, so I didn't have too much trouble. In the US and Canada it is very difficult to find breeders, but there are a few HC members who are breeders in the US.

Good luck !

Whatever you go for, it can be tamed with perseverance.
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Old 03-13-2017, 05:59 AM   #6
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Default Re: Help with hamster breeds, please :)

I think that a lot will depend on the hamster's background and personality but in five years of owning Chinese fairly exclusively, I've yet to have one that I couldn't tame. I will agree that some might require a little bit of patience and persistence as well as an open mind to different methods of taming.

I've actually found that the Chineseys I've had have been easier to tame than my sister's Russian Hybrid ever was. She was extremely territorial and was rather prone to nibbling when being held so it really does show that personality is just as much responsible as the species.
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Old 03-13-2017, 11:18 AM   #7
HawkEagle
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Default Re: Help with hamster breeds, please :)

Thanks so much for your replies! It really helps I would get a Syrian but I don't think I could have a big enough cage, not much room
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Old 03-13-2017, 11:20 AM   #8
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Default Re: Help with hamster breeds, please :)

That's definitely reasonable,and I can say that is an extremely good reason not to get a Syrian!Good luck with whichever species you choose
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Old 03-13-2017, 12:49 PM   #9
cypher
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Default Re: Help with hamster breeds, please :)

How much room do you have HawkEagle?
It's a bit of a misconception that because dwarf hams are a lot smaller than syrians they don't need much space or a big cage, they are very active little hams so you will still need a good size cage, something like the Hamster Heaven maybe which is 80x50cm plus room for a playpen or other safe out of cage play area where they can explore new things & interact with you.
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