How would I find a Winter White?

[WendyAnne]

Hi! My daughter & I are loving our new little Chinese hamster, Princess Snowflake. We are having so much fun being hamster owners that we would like to add another hammy to our family, specifically a Dwarf Winter White Russian. I've searched in our area (Long Island, New York, USA) without any success, and I've read a bit here on the forum about not buying one from a pet shop. So, how would I find a Winter White? Should I post in the breeder section here in the forum? Thanks so much for your help!

[Axeria]

If you go to a petshop then you wont find any purebred WW im afraid
Because of the massive breeder mills and the fact that small animals are considered desposable and thus is produced in huge quanteties they do not take enough care to ensure a WW is not bred with a C... this is resulting in hybrids that flood the market because you can never outbreed hybridisation all offspring of the hybrid hamsters will become hybrids no matter how much pure WW or C you breed in the line again... And because almost all petshops get their "produce" (gross term i know) from the same types of places the hamsters will be the same no matter what petshop you buy from. This is what i have gathered from the web...

To ensure a pure WW or C contact a reputable breeder, one that infact CAN tell the difference and wont produce hybrids You might find one in your area on this forum if you check out the breeder section ^_^

I could not find a breeder near me so I am going for a hybrid, they make great pets even tho they are a cross between the two species. You do have to keep them on a low to non sugary diet, they are prone to diabetes unfortunatly :/

Good luck in finding a WW and remember no one will condem you for buying a hybrid if you dont find a WW or C, many on here have them and they make good little friends

[WendyAnne]

Thanks so much, Axeria, for the great information! I will check out the breeder section of the forum. A hybrid would be fine with me as long as the temperament is good and the animal is healthy. I had heard and read that the WWs have very good temperament (including not being biters) and make great pets; that's why I am looking for one. They are awfully cute, too! Thanks again!

[Lbs]

Hello,
Were you able to find a winter white breeder in the area? Our family lives in NYC and is looking for a breeder so we can find a young winter white. I didn't see anything in the breeding section of the forum so would love any leads you have. Thanks so much.