A few questions about Hamster shows...

[princessbarbie1988]

I have never been to a hamster show before but I think I would like to go to see all the different hammies and talk to and meet breeders and hamsters enthuiasts. Hopefully if I manage to go I will resist the temptation to get a dwarf (I have bee want one or two for quite a while now)

I just have a few questions that may seems stupid but I have been thinking about:
1.) do you have to be a member of an association to go to a show or are there any certain criteria/conditions you have to meet to go? (if you know what I mean?)
2.) do you have to enter a hamster or can you just go as a
'spectator'?
3.) if you have to pay to go, how much does it cost?
4.) are there any shows around London and roughly when are they?
5.) do the shows happen on one day or run over a few days? Are they normally weekend or weekday?

Sorry about all the questions. I would like to go to a show and just wanted to clear a few things up for myself beforehand so I know what to expect. Thanks

[mangoandmimi]

1 - no, you can just turn up to have a look around , you dont need to join anything.
2 - no you can just have a look around although i think its much more fun to enter one ^_^
3 - its free the only costs is entering a hamster, not sure about main class but pet class is usually £2.
4 - Shows for 2011
5 - they are just on one day, im not sure what time it starts and ends though :P usually they are on saturday i think.

[fluffymunchkins]

4.) London champs is the one that I can think of close to you
5.) Some shows run over a couple of days, but the second day is a display day. (which means different species of hamster will be there to look at and learn about but no judging takes place)
They are usually weekends, it goes on nearly all day 9:00am - 5:00pm roughly. Obviously if your not showing you can come and go as you please. Pet judging is usually early - mid afternoon

[lisab]

the london champs are at Peterborough

the real london is at reading but its not just a hammy show there are other animals there to. Its in the 11th september

There is loads of info on the nhc website about showing its worth checking it out Home - National Hamster Council

[Vectis Hamstery]

There is likely to be a charge for London Champs (set by the organisers, not the club). Real London will be free to enter. Pet class entry is £1 and there is information about entering pet class on the southern hamster club website.

[Mikayla]

*Sigh* Why do I have to live the in US, there's no fun hamster stuff here!

[Sammybingo]

Something only just occured to me - I am going to my first show on Sunday. I am hoping to find a new LH Syrian to come live with me (waiting to find out if many hamsters have been logged in for rehoming lovely helpful folk at the hamster council!).

Do I need to get there at the crack of dawn? I don't think me and Lucy can be up and out at 8am to get there on time haha. Will all the hamsters be bought up by noon? :S

[souffle]

There were still hamsters for sale at mid afternoon last show so they don't all sell in a flash really. If there are any and you get there by 11ish I imagine you'd still have a good choice though there are not many litters around at the moment.

[Sammybingo]

Originally Posted by souffle

There were still hamsters for sale at mid afternoon last show so they don't all sell in a flash really. If there are any and you get there by 11ish I imagine you'd still have a good choice though there are not many litters around at the moment.

Yeah, I'm not overly optimistic at the moment. I'll wait and see what is said tomorrow - if not many have been booked in I might leave it until Great Alne x

[AliKati]

Peterborough is in Cambridgeshire....hmm...that's not too far from London...