Question about hybrid dwarf hamsters

[Megan16]

I know that dwarfs can only live with their own species( robos with robos only etc )but is it ok for a hybrid dwarf to live with a winter white or Russian dwarf or do they have to live with other hybrids ? Also how can you tell the difference between hybrids and pure winter whites or Russians

[Fluffagrams]

Many hamsters can look more like a Winter White or a Campbell's but the only way of knowing for sure that you have a pure Winter White or a Campbells (Russian) is by going to a breeder who can provide a pedigree to prove the lineage. Hamsters sold in pet shops are very unlikely to be pure regardless of how they are labelled.

In terms of living together, keeping hamsters in pairs is not an easy task and even if they have been together from a very young age, pairs can fall out and serious injuries can occur. You have to be very careful in how you set up the cage and be prepared to separate at any time as well as having access to a good vet if serious injury occurs. Dwarf hamsters should only live with their own species and should be from the same litter as re-introducing at an older age is very difficult.

[alpacassei]

Every pet store Russian is going to be a hybrid, no matter whether they’re labeled as Winter White, Djungarian, Campbells etc. A lot of pet shops will name them based on which species they most resemble. If you want a pure WW or Campbells then you’ll need to contact a breeder.

Hybrids can look like pure WWs, pure Campbell’s, or an equal mix of both. WWs are usually chubbier with rounded faces and thicker fur, Campbell’s are more slender, have more ‘pointed’ faces, and less thick coats. Campbells also come in a lot more colours and patterns than WWs. WW’s wild colour is darker and more greyish whereas Campbells are lighter and more brown. WWs can also turn white in winter if lighting is made to mimic the days shortening, some hybrids have this gene as well.

In theory it’s possible to keep WWs, Campbell’s, and hybrids together but I imagine there would be a much increased risk of fighting considering even keeping WW-coded Hybrids and Campbells-coded Hybrids is riskier than usual. Keeping pairs or colonies of dwarf hamsters should only be done by an experienced owner that can closely monitor them and recognise the difference between aggression, playing, and dominance behaviours.

[Megan16]

Thank you for all the feedback guys I appreciate it and have learnt something new