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Old 01-22-2017, 10:09 AM   #1
chesca_27
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Default Hamster plans for the future

Hi

So my dad is planning on moving to a bigger house with his girlfriend and her kids in at least 6 months time but he will be moving further away from me, but he says that to make up for it, I can have another hamster! This new house would likely have a pet room for his girlfriend's hamster, Larry-Jasper and Oreo (and a cage mate when he stays) as well as any other pets that my dad's girlfriend's kids want. My dad will also be getting a Labrador puppy in a few months time hopefully.

I want to do lots of planning for a new hamster, so I'm starting this thread REALLY early. I'm not sure which species I want to get. I don't want a Campbells, as I'd rather get another Winter White if I was getting a Russian Dwarf. I've never been particularly interested in robos, as they are just so tiny and hard to tame, although adorable. That leaves me with a Chinese or Syrian. Syrians are much easier to get than Chinese in my area but each has pros and cons for me.

If I got a Syrian, I would have to buy a lot of new toys, which will be bigger so more expensive. If I got a Chinese, Larry-Jasper and the new hamster could share toys, being similar sized.

Then there's cages. A Syrian would need a massive cage. Chinese hamsters seem to prefer smaller cages, from what I've found on the forum. If this was the case, a Chinese hamster would have Larry-Jasper's Ikea Billy (80 by 35) and Larry-Jasper would be upgraded to something bigger. I probably wouldn't be allowed two new cages. What would be good for a Winter White? I'm considering an 80 by 50 or 100 by 50.

How hard is it to tame a Chinese hamster?

Does gender affect a Chinese or Syrian much? By that I mean activeness and personality? I guess that's it right now.

I think I'll do more specific research and update this when I've decided what species.
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Last edited by chesca_27; 01-22-2017 at 02:06 PM. Reason: Missing word
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Old 01-22-2017, 10:24 AM   #2
Fluffagrams
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Default Re: Hamster plans for the future

The Chinese I've had from breeders have been exceptionally well tamed and were easy to handle from the word go really and having tamed Matthew myself, was able to give him that critical head start that really is an advantage. My pet shop Chinese have been a little bit more of a challenge but once you find a taming method that works and you're willing to put a little bit of time in then there's a good chance that you'll have a very loving and friendly hamster.

I'm fortunate that all of my Chinese are friendly but Jessie is less inclined to sit still for cuddles, which is something that some people have noticed with female Chinese. Saying that though, Victoria is an absolute sweetie and loves to be held, particularly when you give her the chance to cling on to a finger or something. The boys on the other hand can be prone to laziness but they can also be very good at hugs. James will often find a cosy spot when I'm holding him and has been known to fall asleep.

I'm probably a bit biased towards Chinese but that's mainly because they're where my experience lies. Hopefully someone will be able to tell you a bit about Syrians to balance things out a bit so you can make an informed choice.
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Old 01-22-2017, 10:58 AM   #3
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Default Re: Hamster plans for the future

I've had male and female Syrians before and I can't say I saw much difference between their personalities I've had 3 Syrian hamsters including Winnie who I have now. They have all been really friendly, bold and very inquisitive. I think Tango (male) was the easiest to tame, he was very sweet and trusting, but if that has anything to do with gender I don't know.

My first hamster Jeepers (female) and my current hamster Winnie (female) both tamed really well too, however. They have all been eager to come out and play, and were/are all quite unique in their own way. I have to say, Winnie is the most active hamster I've had, she is always ready to come out of her cage and is the only one I've had who chews the bars.
One obvious difference I saw was that females are bigger than males (though you probably already knew that ).

Someone more experienced could give you more informed information, but I hope this helps a bit!
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Old 01-22-2017, 11:00 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hamster plans for the future

Dwarf hams in general are easiest to get storebought cages and toys for It would be much more expensive to get Syrian things along with good housing,since even if you go for a decent size cage it won't always work out with Syrians who generally need even more space

As for an upgrade for Larry-Jasper,I'd go for the 100 x 50 as it's the larger upgrade!The current cage will do fine for a Chinese though,which in general as a species don't need quite as much space as some species do.

It really depends on what you want most,an easy to house hamster or one that may end up presenting problems with even the biggest easy to find storebought cages.

I personally don't think species makes a difference in how tame a hamster will be,since it can go in either direction for any hamster.You'll find plenty Syrians who don't appreciate handling,and the same goes for Chinese,much like there are plenty of both species who are the opposite
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Old 01-22-2017, 12:07 PM   #5
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Default Re: Hamster plans for the future

Chesca, how about contacting Larry-Jasper's breeder as she lives so close to you. You could ask if you could come and see her if she has time. Explain why and maybe she could take you into that wonderful hamstery again and discuss pros and cons while showing you some of her fluffs.
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Old 01-22-2017, 12:22 PM   #6
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Default Re: Hamster plans for the future

I'm quite biased as Syrians will always be my specialty, but I would go for a Syrian! I have always found Syrians to be much more docile, friendly, and easier to manage. I like that Syrians are large, which makes them easier to allow to free roam, and makes handling and monitoring them easier as well. The downside to Syrians, like you said, is that they need quite large cages. I'd recommend a 40 gallon breeder as a BARE MINIMUM, although it depends on the individual, and they generally need and want much larger spaces than just that. Buying more toys can be tough, but most chews are fine for Syrians, and when it comes to hides, cardboard boxes like shoeboxes can work perfectly for them to hide in. I've never really noted too much of a difference in genders, it really is down to each individual, at least that's with Syrians, but I assume it'd be the same in all species. All hamsters are great, but I'd always recommend a Syrian!
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Old 01-22-2017, 08:05 PM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster plans for the future

I agree with everything that's been said! I only have personal experience with Syrians, and they all been outstandingly friendly. Best of luck! <3
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Old 01-23-2017, 07:14 AM   #8
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Default Re: Hamster plans for the future

No experience with syrians but from my experience with chinese there is a marked difference between males & females, I wouldn't say the males are lazy if mine are anything to go by as they do love to run in their wheels but they are a lot less busy in the cage generally than females are, my girls have always been on the go & looking for mischief, they can be quite a handful but in a fun way!
They are more timid by nature but apart from my newest boy who is really shy I haven't found them difficult to tame, just takes a little time & patience & if you go for a breeder ham that's used to handling then it shouldn't be difficult at all.
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Old 01-23-2017, 09:18 AM   #9
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Default Re: Hamster plans for the future

Quote:
Originally Posted by Drago View Post
I'm quite biased as Syrians will always be my specialty, but I would go for a Syrian! I have always found Syrians to be much more docile, friendly, and easier to manage. I like that Syrians are large, which makes them easier to allow to free roam, and makes handling and monitoring them easier as well.
It's interesting, the size of Syrians is the one thing that would probably lead me to choose one of the dwarf species first.

I suppose it's a matter of what you're used to and I'd had Chinese for four and a half years before a Syrian came back into my life and I think that because I'd got used to handling the smaller species, I actually felt a bit awkward for a while handling a larger hamster.

My Chinese boys have always been lovely docile lads (I don't think you could get much more docile than James) and my current girls are such friendly little things. Admittedly I'd not allow a Chinese to free roam in a room because they can fit into such tiny gaps but I'm not sure that they'd be that keen on the idea of free roaming either.
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Old 01-23-2017, 09:25 AM   #10
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Default Re: Hamster plans for the future

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fluffagrams View Post
It's interesting, the size of Syrians is the one thing that would probably lead me to choose one of the dwarf species first.

I suppose it's a matter of what you're used to and I'd had Chinese for four and a half years before a Syrian came back into my life and I think that because I'd got used to handling the smaller species, I actually felt a bit awkward for a while handling a larger hamster.

My Chinese boys have always been lovely docile lads (I don't think you could get much more docile than James) and my current girls are such friendly little things. Admittedly I'd not allow a Chinese to free roam in a room because they can fit into such tiny gaps but I'm not sure that they'd be that keen on the idea of free roaming either.
I guess you're right with the size thing, I'm always so scared I would crush a smaller ham! Thinking back now, my close friend had a chinesey who was the sweetest and calmest little guy I've ever met, even calmer than any Syrian I'd ever seen! He would sit in your hand contently and allow you to pet him. If I ever do decide to bring another species into my home, I'd probably choose a Chinese!
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