confused over breeding *help*

[karmawitch]

so are they WW's or Campbells, are Russian Dwarfs a completely differnet thing to the WW's? or are they Russian Winter whites?

[Bunsey]

well the lower one is te colour of a normal WW and the top one a sapphire WW, but they don't look quite right to me, possibly hybrids.

[souffle]

Where did you come from? Some of the big commercial breeders have hybridised the two species Campbells and Winter White to provide a richer array of colours. These hybrid animals can have health issues and should not be bred. As they are very close genetically they can breed but in the wild would not as their distribution does not overlap. The commercial breeders have done this because they want to sell pretty animals. Breeders would never do this as they want to keep the lines pure. Most pet shops label both Campbells and Winter Whites as dwarf russian hamsters though in my experience it is more common to find they are Winter Whites type in pet shops.
Your hamsters look like young Winter whites to me. The browny one is a normal and the grey a sapphire. Even if they are hybrids they make wonderful pets but if you suspect they are you should not breed them. They are very beautiful anyway and I think you should enjoy them without worrying what they are. Problems normally only occur during breeding so I hope they will be fine and give you loads of fun and pleasure.

[karmawitch]

Thank you so much, I got them at our Garden Centre - I think it's quite a reputable one and the pet assistants were very knowledgable. I got them from Dobbies in Ponteland, I am in the North East of England near Newcastle.

I made sure I was able to handle them in the cage they were in and chose those two because they were so friendly. The sign up was that they were Winter Whites

[souffle]

If they came from a Garden Centre supplied by a hobby breeder they are likely pure. If you really wanted to know you could always ask. It seems likely they did if they are nice and tame as breeders handle them young to ensure they make good pets. Midnight Stud breed WW and are in your area.

[karmawitch]

Thanks Souffle

Who/what are Midnight Stud?

[souffle]

Midnight Stud is the Hamstery name of Littlemissdwarfhamster and she breeds mainly winterwhites. She is up near Newcastle way. She is also a judge and attends most Nothern Club shows

[karmawitch]

Thank you

*has lots to learn*

[babyboos]

any questions just ask that is what we are here for