i cant choose! >.<

Mystic · 05-10-2012, 09:47 PM

hey every one im sorry if i am annoying any of you with my noobness >.<

i am hoping to get a little hamster soon but i just cant decide on if i should get 2 dwarfs or a syrian... they are both so cute and have such good qualities... can you guys tell me your favorite kind of hammy and why? maybe help me decide on what i should get >.< i want to take all of them home!

LoveMyHams · 05-10-2012, 10:11 PM

I'm a syrian girl, I just love how they cuddle with you and I think they are more people friendly than dwarfs.

Kissa · 05-11-2012, 12:14 AM

Considering there are three species of dwarf hamster, plus the Chinese species that gets called a dwarf because it's small, there's a lot more choice than just "dwarf" or "Syrian"

There's lots of information on the wiki:
Syrian Hamster - Hamster Central WIKI
Dwarf Campbells Hamster - Hamster Central WIKI
Winter White Hamster - Hamster Central WIKI
Dwarf Roborovskis Hamster - Hamster Central WIKI
Chinese Hamster - Hamster Central WIKI

Roborovskis have captured my heart, but I also want a Syrian

Each different species gives different things, and each ham is an individual anyway so even if you get, say, a Syrian because they are easier to tame, handle etc, it's not guaranteed you'd get a hamster that is friendly

Robos are little balls of energy, except for the ones who are fairly relaxed, Chinese are shier and more timid except for the ones that aren't... You get the picture

Juice · 05-11-2012, 12:23 AM

I know how you feel. We have recently decided to get a hamster and weren't sure which to go for. We decided to go syrian in the end as we have two young children who we want to be able to interact (under strict supervision!) with the hamster and were told syrians being larger and slower than a dwarf would be the best way to go. My 4 year old is very excited already and loves looking on here at all the hammy pics everyone uploads. We have a cat already and both children are generally good with him - they've been taught to be gentle and speak softly to him.

Must admit thought that seeing pics of robos and dwarfs on here makes me want one of them too. If only we had the space!

TraceyH · 05-11-2012, 02:34 AM

I love syrians. They're so big, cuddly, playful and adorable. Beautiful as well.

holly24 · 05-11-2012, 02:47 AM

Syrians everytime xx

Hammymad · 05-11-2012, 03:50 AM

Arggghhhh this is hard lol

xx

vanilla-yazoo · 05-11-2012, 03:54 AM

personally, if you are new to hamsters, i would say syrians, they are easyest to tame, they are cuddly and affectionate, and they WANT your attention, my dwarfs i have found do not ask to come out, and are happyer left to their own doings.

I am a syrian person, and have kept them for years and years and years lol.

I know with dwarfs from pet shops there are soo many health issues, and if you keep a pair, they are highly likely to fight and require splitting at some point, wheras one syrain will be happy just to have you for attention.

ild definatly recomend syrain and maybe get a dwarf when you are used to handling

racinghamster · 05-11-2012, 04:14 AM

Where children are concerned, I would be inclined to say Syrian aswell, just because of it`s size and more laid back qualities, although a lot depends on where the hamster originates from and what age it is. I say `it` because gender could also be a factor in your choice. I would say go for a male syrian as they won`t have the womb/pyometra issues that females can sometimes get and where kids are involved, the last thing you need is a year old female syrian passing blood!

Start also with a decent sized cage if you go for a syrian because they are the biggest of the hamster species, they need a large cage and a large wheel! So there can be a bigger outlay where syrians are concerned. Having said that, all dwarf hamsters need a good sized, one level cage aswell. At least the size of the Zoozone 1 tank style habitat for a pair of dwarfs or preferably, a Zoozone 2. The Zoozone 2 would be great for a syrian as the entire lid lifts off for playtimes and prevents bar chewing.

Lynternette · 05-11-2012, 04:16 AM

Syrians are like little teddy bears. Very intelligent and big enough to handle, especially for children.

Dwarf Campbells are only half the size. Very quick and not really suitable for children. They're also very intelligent and friendly.

I haven't had any of the smaller dwarfies so can't comment. My favourite is so far is the Syrian. I adore mine and wouldn't swap them for anything.