Best species of dwarf hamsters?

[Panda's_mommy]

I've got a syrian but I know I'll have plenty of hamsters in the future. I love syrians ever since I was a kid but I just want everyone's opinion on what they think is the best species of dwarf hamsters. I want to know what species is the friendliest, easiest to handle and take care of, easy to find proper cages and supplies, most active, least prone to illness and which ones live the longest???

if i ever got a dwarf i'd be either a winter white or robo!

[KKritters]

I LOVE my Winter Whites & Campbells! They are so inquisitive and really love attention. I have quite a few that prefer to just sit in my hand and groom or climb on me for playtime

[Panda's_mommy]

oh and which ones do best if kept alone and which ones like to bite the most?

can you post pics of your winter whites? how big do winter whites get? and which ones like being handled the most?

thanks for all that. i think maybe i'll just stick with syrians. i don't think robos are for me, because i want a hamster i can hold and pet. i hear winter whites are most like syrians. so at the pet store when the sign says winter white, it's not really a winter white? what kind of hybrid is it?

does anyone have a picture of a pure winter white??? if so, post please!

[racinghamster]

It depends what your looking for in terms of handling or one which prefers it`s own company. Roborovskis for example are not so hands-on. They can be handled, but many are just too fast and speedy and much prefer to be left to play by themselves with daily visits from you to spot clean and talk to him/her and have some interaction. Robos benefit from a good floor spaced cage like a Zoozone 1 for a single robo or a pair.

Russian dwarf hamsters are probably easier to tame and handle, although these too can be hit or miss as far as temperament goes. Winter Whites won`t be found in pet stores for example. Hybrids will be, but I wouldn`t put anyone off as a hamster is a hamster at the end of the day!

Chinese are a favourite of mine, but they are more mouse-like and timid in nature, but can also be very intelligent and friendly. I do have a soft spot for them. They are quite different from your typical dwarf hamster as they `cling` to your hand and will be more aware of where they are, but they don`t like large open spaces but then again, most hamsters don`t.

Hope this helps. The other important issue to be aware of is diabetes, or some species risk of getting/having the condition. Robos and syrians don`t tend to be prone to diabetes, but the others can be, so diet plays a big role in that, so making sure any food mixes or added ingredients can be sourced easily before getting our preferred hamster is important.

[kimlck]

Each dwarf breed has its own charm, and with illness, well everything and everybody gets ill.
I have 2 Robo's that are just too fast for me to catch and believe me i have tried.
I have a campbell that is just delightful and she really loves attention
I have a chinese, she is quite timid but regularly astounds me with acts of daring and her ability to wreck a perfectly planned cage.

I was going to say that i picked them, but in truth they picked me.

[Truffle]

I currnetly have a Syrian and a pure bred Winter White, one of my closest friends though had two Robos. My Winter White is so lovely, she is very tame and has so far NEVER biten me. Any time I walk into her room she wake to to be played with (I am careful not to go into the room during the day to much.) She doesn't mind being handled at all and last night I had her out of over hour. Winter Whites can be kept together though they sometimes need to be seperated. This can be the case after a week together or a year and a half. As a rule it can be safer to house then apart. My friend pair of Robos were very fast and difficult to handle. They were friendly enough inside the cage but didn't like to be held. My friend kept her robo's together for about six month but then had to separt them, I beleive though that they can live very happy together. I would say that Robo's are more a kind of watching ham whereas Winter White's seem more hands on... It depents what you would perfere. Each has pros and cons but really its what to want your hamster for, but they all have very differnet personally and are equally lovable

[kyrilliondaemon]

If you get a winter white make sure its a purebred from a reputable breeder who does definetly have purebred winter whites. Hybrids are a cross between campbells and winter whites, often advertised incorrectly and they can be prone to more health issues than other hamsters.
We own quite a few hybrids and I personally have no problem with them as pets, but I am prepared for vet visits so am not too concerned if a pet is potentially more prone to needing the vet.

[Queen Of The High Teas]

I love them all equally, I do find the Campbells slightly nippy though. I thought it was only the petshop "Russians" that nip, but my breeder Campbell is a little madam for nipping suddenly. My Winter White on the other hand, is the soppiest, friendliest little dwarf I've ever had, he even licks my hand! They have a fab nature, like a mini Syrian.

Here's some pics of Kyte for you to see one:

[lisab]

I like them all. All are capable of biting but that doesn't mean they will.

My favourite is campbells. they can be so friendly. So misunderstood.
and these days I withdraw my original you cant really play with robo comments, after all my lot are just as tame and able to be held just as much as other species.