what breed should i get?! HELP

hannah_xx · 06-17-2009, 02:18 PM

today i set out on the search looking for a syrian hamster.
i ended up coming home empty handed.
all the syrians i saw were nervous and difficult to handle and i was scared about being bitten!

Then went to [email protected] and a lady was really nice and recommended i got a Russian hamster. she let me see the ones out the back that are ready for purchase tomorrow. awwww i feel in love straight away they were so friendly and one little one just sat on my hand for ages!
But then i came home read on the internet that they bite alot?
now im confussed

also male or female?

internet_nobody · 06-17-2009, 02:22 PM

Please don't go to [email protected]! Consider a rescue hamster or one from a show breeder. A lot of pet shop hammies will be a bit jumpy and nervous, because they aren't handled much as babies.

The "Russians" [email protected] sell tend to be hybrids of the campbells and winter white hamsters. They can sometimes be nippy, but this is due to lack of handling when they are being raised and in the shop. Some of them can be perfectly tame, others will nip for life. Campbells hamsters are prone to becoming "cage territorial", where they will attack anything they see as invading their space - this is why they can be branded as aggressive, but they tend to be sweet as pie once out of the cage.

hannah_xx · 06-17-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by internet_nobody

Please don't go to [email protected]! Consider a rescue hamster or one from a show breeder. A lot of pet shop hammies will be a bit jumpy and nervous, because they aren't handled much as babies.

The "Russians" [email protected] sell tend to be hybrids of the campbells and winter white hamsters. They can sometimes be nippy, but this is due to lack of handling when they are being raised and in the shop. Some of them can be perfectly tame, others will nip for life. Campbells hamsters are prone to becoming "cage territorial", where they will attack anything they see as invading their space - this is why they can be branded as aggressive, but they tend to be sweet as pie once out of the cage.

I was thinking about getting a rescue but there are none in my area.
Arggg im so confussed! the ones i saw today were sooo friendly! i don't know what to do now!

Bunsey · 06-17-2009, 02:34 PM

where abouts are you, Hannah? There are ways of finding "second-hand" hamsters in most areas, you just have to think outside the box a bit. My area doesn't have any traditional rescues for small animals such as the RSPCA but i've gotten rescues in other ways, for example i had some from a woman who takes in rescues and re-homes them privately and i've answered ads on preloved.com

However, sometimes rescues can nip and you might be better going to a breeder. If you can find a show breeder, you could get a nice splatted pure winter white. I thnk that would probably be the best thing for you - someone who just sits in your hand .

hamster mum · 06-17-2009, 02:39 PM

I have owned chinese hamsters, Syrian hamsters and I recently got my first Campbells russian from what I have read they are the most likely to bite and I can only say that Spike is very gentle and where I got her she got very little handling and has been lovely even though she has a litter to protect. Where are you located, depending what sex Spikes babies are I may have one who needs a home. On the other side my Syrians have also always been lovely natured.

hannah_xx · 06-17-2009, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the help everyone.
I have looked on preloved, in the local paper and on other sites and the nearest ones were about 2 hours away =/
i will talk to my mum tomorrow about maybe finding a breeder in the my area.
Im in essex, 'hamster mum' i see your in yorkshire so too far away =[
i will probably go back and see the little ones i saw today, as the one i picked up really did just sit in my hand, and was soo sweet!