what hamster should i get?

hammywinehouse · 02-05-2018, 10:22 AM

next weekend I will be getting a new hammy to replace my other one who has passed. I was wondering what type of dwarf I should get? I want one that will let me hold it. my robo would never let me hold her or pet her and i don't really want to get another robo because of this. I heard robo's have a hard time with trust.. is that true? I'm thinking of getting a winter white. which are more aggressive: males or females?

Pebbles82 · 02-05-2018, 10:36 AM

It partly depends on the personality of the hamster and their life before you get them. Some hamsters have been traumatised before you get them - in pet shops eg. And you know nothing about their genetics or parentage.

It's true Robos are harder to tame or handle

They are so fast and little.

Russian dwarf hamsters from pet shops will be hybrids. So even if called Campbells or Winter white, they will be hybrids of the two. Hybrids can be prone to diabetes and/or have shorter lives or other genetic defects. It's pot luck. They still make lovely pets, but it's something to be aware of.

You could try and get a dwarf hamster from a breeder, where they will have been hand raised, and partly tamed already, you will know their genetic background and it will be possible to get a pure Winter White or Campbells.

Or have you thought about getting a Syrian? Arguably they are easier to tame and more cuddly.

cypher · 02-05-2018, 10:45 AM

Pet shop robos can be rather hard to tame sometimes but I haven't found the same to be true of pet shop Russians (which as Serendipity said will be hybrids not WW or Campbells) I generally find them easy to tame & going by what I see here (never having had a syrian) no harder to tame than syrians.
They aren't as small & quick as robos either although still fast but easier to handle & can be very cuddly although as with any species how cuddly is very much an individual thing.
Hamsters aren't aggressive by nature but females can be more territorial than males so may not like hands in the cage, males tend to be a bit more easy going in that respect.