30 Days of April

[BorisPasha]

Aww Hippogriff is adorable, he looks like a very distinguished gentleman And Dobby's eyes are so big and shiney, they're mesmerising

Glad to hear Queenie is doing better and hope the little snuffly girl gets better soon.

[Vectis Hamstery]

I'm afraid the dooplets demanded another turn on the thread. How could I say no to these little faces?
Doops everywhere! by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

"I like to have my Finacard-blanky when I come out for cuddles"
Dobly pups by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

"Boop my nose!"
Dobly pup by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

"Mmmmm, all the noms just for me!"
Mmmmm nom! by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

And mamma Lyra who will be pleased to get rid of her pups at the end of the week! Three boys and three girls
Lyra by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

[Drago]

Awe such cuties! I've heard doops are some of the best rodents out there for handling, would you say this is true? I personally think rats would be better simply because of their intelligence and need for attention, but that's just me (and I'm biased because I just love rats!)

[cypher]

Well, that made my day

[BorisPasha]

Oh no not the dooplets again, I joke of course because they are gorgeous, can never have too many pics of them. The little pup with the finacard blanket is so sweet Love the first pic too with them peeking out at you

[Hamsterita]

I'm glad that the new additions are settling well, and that queenie is healing ok.

The dooprasis are very cute, it's incredible how big his tail is! In the last picture her tail looks bigger than herself

[Vectis Hamstery]

For today, here are some photos of black-eyed white Chineseys. I saw my first BEW when I started showing in 2009 and I immediately knew I wanted to work with them. At that time there was only one breeder who'd imported a couple of pairs from Holland and my first pedigree Chinese, Bailey, was from them.

Bailey and his offspring didn't give me any whites, but did give me good information to use in writing the documentation to apply for BEW to be recognised which led to it receiving a provisional UK standard in 2014. Excitingly another breeder has now got 3 generations of BEWs so hopefully the standard will be able to be made permanent before the extension on it runs out.
Brighsl by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr
This was Brighstone, my first ever BEW who came to me in 2011. He was a gorgeous chap whose daughter was my first home-bred BEW in 2012. If you're interested in the genetics of BEW Chinese then there's info here.

The first show where BEWs were entered in the main classes was at a Midland club show with the first BEW Best in Show being at a Northern club show and the first Certificate of Merit awarded to a BEW at a Southern show; it's lovely that every club has played a part in the BEW story.

I currently have 6 BEWs who are all named for places on the Isle of Wight:Helen, Adgestone, Merstone, Mottistone, Rylstone, and Pyle.
Mottistone by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr
Mottistone was bred here from Hillway and Bardane (both dom spots). She has had one litter which had only 2 female dom spots. Her daughter Calbourne is one of the hamsters I'm pairing soon.

Pyle by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr
Pyle was bred by Oblivion Hamstery and his dad was on loan from me so I was offered a pup from the litter. He's a young wee lad still and perhaps one day will have a nice ladyfriend.

Helen by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr
Helen was bred by Lilliput Hamsters. Her parents are both BEWs which is most unusual. She's been awarded a Best in Show and a Certificate of Merit already, although is currently off showing on hopeful maternity leave. So far there hasn't been a BEW Champion (which needs 3 Certificates of Merit). I had a girl, Luccombe, who managed 2 Certificates of Merit before she was retired from showing. I have fingers and toes crossed in hoping Helen may be the girl!

Adgestone and Merstone by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr
Adgestone and Merstone are my newest BEWs and came over from Houten earlier in the month. They are still in quarantine in the living room and are, so far, still living together. They did have a few squeaks the day after arriving and had to have their cage size reduced for a few days before slowly increasing back up. I'm keeping an eye on them and may split them soon.

Finally, here's Miss Rylstone.
Rylstone by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr
She's a sweet girl who had a stroke some months ago. The steroid injection from the vet helped with the twirling although she still walks in an unusual way which causes an unusual way of holding her head. She finds handling stressful now so is only handled when necessary as it causes tighter twirling until she settles. She can still do normal hamster things and can even run in a wheel!

And a bonus picture of Oly, Delphic's son:
Olympic by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

[Fluffagrams]

I remember first setting eyes on a BEW at the first show I visited back in 2015 and was amazed at how beautiful they were.

I keep being tempted by them (and the Dom Spots) lately but have to keep reminding myself that I should really focus on one thing at a time (for now anyway).

Fingers crossed for that Permanant Standard.

[Thin Lizzy]

So great to hear Queenie is better.
I'm mesmerised by the dooplets.

[BorisPasha]

That was a very interesting post Vectis. It was interesting to read about the history of the BEW Chinese here They are all so gorgeous. I love the picture of Adgestone and Merstone, one standing on the other's head lol. Sorry to hear about Rylstone though it's good she can still do hamstery things

Aww at Oly, such a smooshy boy