[cypher]

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.