Dove? Mink? Chocolate?

[Holly]

I wondered if anyone could provide me with a link to clear pictures of the above Syrian (normal coat, not long haired) colours? I know I've seen a site with great pictures (because I remember thinking how gorgeous the Dove was) but I can't find it.

I suppose I should explain why I'm asking ...I was in the petshop where our three come from today buying supplies and they had the most beautiful, unusual coloured young female - I'm wondering what colour she is? The lady who seems to know a lot about hamsters was unfortunately off ill and the other two assistants didn't know what colour she was.

I don't know how to describe her - she had very dark pink eyes and a very smooth coat the colour of wet cement but maybe a bit less pink and slightly beigey brownish - but light (I wish I'd taken my camera!).. Could she have been a Dove? Do they have pink eyes? How likely is it to find one in a petshop?

I can't stop thinking about her though I'm hoping to get a female from a breeder for possible showing (and possibly but possibly not - only after careful research and even then I probably won't - breeding) but the very nice breeder I've been speaking to is unlikley to have any Doves in her upcoming litters (though she is hoping for Dark Greys which we'd love!).

I didn't really want another pet shop hamster, despite the fact that ours are gorgeous, very tame and seem very healthy because I think I'd really like to start showing - but I have to admit this hammy has really got under my skin ...I'll have to start buying my supplies from Wilkinson's I think

Even though I'm not going to get her I'd love to know what colour she is for future reference so any help would be much appreciated!

Edit: I have found this small picture of a Dove which looks a lot like her, though I think she's a bit darker (it says they lighten with age). It says Dove's have red eyes (which she does) and a white chin stripe (which she does):

http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/dove ... amster.htm

[pophammy]

She sounds like a dove Holly. If you want to get into showing though Dove is not a standard colour so you could not enter her in any class but non standard. In this class the colour is not marked so they are 30 points down straight away. I think that nooboo has a litter of doves which she has hand reared so you could compare the colour to them. There are pics of them on the other forum you frequent

[Holly]

Thanks, Pophammy - I'll take a look ....wonder if she has any left?

Sooo.....if Dove is a non-standard colour I guess it doesn't matter if my Dove hamster comes from a pet shop then - as long as she's friendly and tame - as she won't be being shown anyway. (Oh dear - I had convinced myself to forget her and look for one from a breeder ). Or is it worth showing in Non Standard anyway?

I think I need to visit my first show (which I am doing on March 11th) and then I'll know a lot more - I can see I have a lot to learn!

It seems that my favourite colours are "non-standard"...am I correct in assuming that Dark Grey is non-standard as well? (I'm hoping to be getting a Dark Grey from the breeder your mum recommended to me!)

[souffle]

Dark grey is not a non standard but is a very uncommon colour. It would be shown in the 'any other colour' class. If you have been offered a dark grey and it turns out as a nice one it will be worth waiting for. I saw my very first dark grey at the Bradford champs show and I am thinking that will be a parent of yours. It was a beauty.
Winning in non standard is not to be sneered at as it means the hamster is still of good type and size however you will be unlikely to get anywhere in the Junior/Novice/ Intermediate and Best in Show positions as you will never have as high marks as a hamster which has its colour points.
A dark grey has a pearly grey top coat with a silver grey base colour and heavy black ticking. It has black cheek flashes and the belly fur and crescents are ivory/silvery and the eyes have a black ring round them. Eyes and ears are almost black, dark grey. A very lovely colour indeed. I would wait

[babyboos]

Dark Grey is standard and if I were thinking of going into showing then I would go for this, or even one of the other standard colours. You will get a full list at http://www.britishhamsterassociation.or ... ards04.php

I recommend a robust standard single gene colour to start of with such as Cinnamon, Golden, Cream. Dove is lovely but as you quite rightly point out quite similiar to Mink. Which you could produce at some point down the line. And you may win a rosette but will only ever be able to enter one class with a non-standard, whereas with standards you could win one of the duplicate classes such as Novice even if you don't get a first in the main class - but there is absolutely no reason why you can't win a main class especially if you obtain your hamster from a good hobby breeder, especially one who also exhibits.



Mink baby



Mink adult

[Holly]

Originally Posted by souffle

Dark grey is not a non standard but is a very uncommon colour. It would be shown in the 'any other colour' class.

And Dove can't be shown in that class?? ie 'non-standard' is different to 'any other colour'? Sorry if I'm being thick but I'm really trying to get my head around this - I think it might make more sense after Lymm, I'm planning on spending the day there to try and take it all in (Gameboys for the boys will be the order of the day!).

Originally Posted by souffle

If you have been offered a dark grey and it turns out as a nice one it will be worth waiting for. I saw my very first dark grey at the Bradford champs show and I am thinking that will be a parent of yours. It was a beauty.

I haven't exactly been offered one as they haven't been born yet ...but the breeder concerned thinks she is expecting four litters and is expecting dark grey in there somewhere.... and she has asked me which colours are my preference. Sooo....I'm quietly hopeful! It sounds like I really am better off waiting!

[Holly]

Originally Posted by babyboos

Mink baby

Now I'm a bit confused - she looked a lot like this!! So is she mink or dove I wonder?? I take it mink isn't standard either?

I'm off to have a look at the standards - thanks babyboos

[babyboos]

Yes they are very similiar - all the photographs I have of Dove on the system are Torts (with yellow) so hard to show you a direct comparison.

I love Mink but they are non-standard. There aren't many really good Dark Greys out there in the UK so you could be getting into quite an unique area if you fall in love with the colour and want to take it further and get into breeding. Though I warn you not the best or easiest colour for a beginner. Happy to tell you more if you want, the other standard colours, especially the single gene ones are far more robust genetically.

Mink shorthaired boy



Mink shorthaired girl (adult) - bright red eyes due to flash they look almost black in reality, though are very very dark red



and again - lovely dark colour isn't it



Mink longhaired boy to show you the eyes - so very big so you can see clearly the colouration sorry guys with narrow screens



Chocolate shorthaired boy



and again



Dove Tort and White shorthaired Satin girl

[babyboos]

Dove Tort shorthaired female (adult)

[Holly]

Originally Posted by babyboos

There aren't many really good Dark Greys out there in the UK so you could be getting into quite an unique area if you fall in love with the colour and want to take it further and get into breeding. Though I warn you not the best or easiest colour for a beginner. Happy to tell you more if you want, the other standard colours, especially the single gene ones are far more robust genetically.

I've been reading this very thing in Hamsterlopaedia last night - Creams or Goldens are meant to be the way to go for a beginner. I'm not even sure I want to go down the breeding route yet because I'm very aware of all the unwanted animals out there and kind of think that, if we can give homes to 'show' animals then we ought to be giving them to some of the unwanted ones. But I'll admit I'm intrigued by the idea of showing so who knows (and I love Grey's of all hues!). I certainly won't jump in.
Thanks for the pictures and offer of advice - I'm sure I'll take you up on that ...it's beginning to make a little sense now!