Are Dom spot hamsters known for friendlyness

[sarahh]

Hi Everyone

I wanted to ask you a question. As you know Mya is a Black Dom spot and I wondered whether the Dom spots were known for their friendlyness. Mya loves being with me, to get out of her cage she climbs up my wrist and generally loves being with people. Those who have Dom spots or know about them are they known for their friendlyness.

Sarah x

[Bourne Valley Hams]

Not generally, no. I have had, and still have, some very friendly dom spots but as a general rule they are rather skittish.

[Gust0o]

Is this a breeding trait, such as the 'naughty torties' or is this based on more individual circumstances?

[Bourne Valley Hams]

It seems to be a breeding trait. Cinny dom spots can be particularly skittish for some reason. I find the best colour for dom spots from a temperament point of view is black. But then blacks are generally quite laid back. For the same reason a black tort is usually better tempered than a gold or cinny tort, and yellow blacks are much nicer natured than yellows.
There are always the exceptions though!

[Bunsey]

I've never owned a dom spot, but I held Mia the black dom spot from Carrington hams and she was lovely. I wanted her SO much but my dad said no
we're working on ways to hypnotise him... "yeeessss deeaarrrs.... you may have aaaalll the haaaaams you waaaant" (anyone seen the demon headmaster? )

[Gust0o]

But then blacks are generally quite laid back

I'll agree with that - Wesley is the most placid animal I've ever met.

Which is just as well, as am hoping to breed blacks!

So, guess that would give me a good base, whatever I opted for? Melanistic Yellow, Black/Yellow Tort - the black should mitigate the yellow?

Sorry to hijack! This is very interesting, seeing how certain colour combinations have implications for the temperament of the animal.

[Bourne Valley Hams]

The very best blacks, ie the blacks that stay black longest, seem to be the ones bred black to black to black, without any other colours in the mix.
However, that would result in quite a boring selection!! I love my torts as well so I do mix in yellows for that, and also golds as I find black improves the gold line.
Blacks are really quite a small line in my hamstery though so I doubt I shall achieve that perfect black!!

[ami_j]

Originally Posted by Bourne Valley Hams

It seems to be a breeding trait. Cinny dom spots can be particularly skittish for some reason.

noooooooooooooooo dont say that lol i will probably have a few in my current litter hehe

[sarahh]

Hi All sorry haven't been around for a few days. Thanks all for that. Casper who I bought as a LH Black and is now going brown he is laid back. Mya has a wonderful temperament my Dom spot. Glad to hear other peoples opinions on them.

Hehe my naughty white banded tortie used to be naughty now she is lovely but we did used to have a very naughty tortie who was unpredictable she lived till 2.

Thanks again

Sarah x

[Theodore]

With my Chinese, I've always found the normal colours to be much easier to handle and tame than the dom spots