Standard Winter Whites?

[ILSMarki8]

I can see that almost every community has different standards for WW hamsters. Some countries accept and support different colour and patter mutations. I know that almost everyone state the basic three colours (2 colours and pearl pattern?) as standard, but there are so many other colours/patterns (mandarin, marble, imperial, pearl as colour or pearl as pattern) considered pure in some countries, but strongly rejected as pure in other. Not actually about pureness of those colors but are they registered or not?

What's the case where you live, or is it like in my country- no system what so ever besides few enthusiasts that adopt ideas and standards from other countries (UK or US)?

[Regalis]

I can give you a Finnish point of view. The standard colours for Winter Whites in Finland are agouti (normal) and sapphire. Pearl is considered as a pattern.

We have a very strict stance towards anything new in Winter Whites, sometimes it feels we are even a bit paranoid when it comes to the hybrid issue. It can be both good and bad. Mandarin is considered absolutely a hybrid colour, no exceptions made. Merle is at the moment a bit on the grey area, although most of the breeders consider it as a hybrid thing as well, but we do know that they are bred in England and experienced English breeders are consireded highly reliable authorities in Finland. Imperial seems to be extinct if it ever were in Finland. At the moment we are discussing if there is a umbrous gene in WW's as some breeders think so in Germany.

[jesselle]

^ i have seen marbled/merle winter whites at one of the UK's experienced breeders; hamstery. my sapphire pearl winter white had a marbled mother, from the mutation that occurred here.

[Regalis]

^ Yes, I know they breed them which is why I'm wondering how come we are so negative towards marbles/merles in Finland.