Andover (SHC) 17th June 2017

[AprilPearl]

Fluffagrams thank you, this is all really helpful stuff, and I appreciate your help very much. Since this will be my first show, I didn't want to inadvertently do something wrong.

I'm going to go and have a look. I may come home with a new furry friend, or I may not, but I think it will be a nice thing to do regardless. I love hamsters and seeing them does help me remember the happy times, both with Mushu and previous hammies.

I will have to watch out for you and your hams

[Fluffagrams]

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

Fluffagrams thank you, this is all really helpful stuff, and I appreciate your help very much. Since this will be my first show, I didn't want to inadvertently do something wrong.

I'm going to go and have a look. I may come home with a new furry friend, or I may not, but I think it will be a nice thing to do regardless. I love hamsters and seeing them does help me remember the happy times, both with Mushu and previous hammies.

I will have to watch out for you and your hams

Glad to have been a help. I had so many questions when I first started going to shows so don't worry, we've all been there.

The other thing that might be worth knowing is that we don't have the facilities to accept card payments so you'll need to make sure you've got some cash on you. There'll also be a tombola, a kitchen selling refreshments and there's usually hamster accessories for sale too.

I'll be Pen Stewarding for the dwarf section so do come and say hello. I won't be able to point out my own hamsters but I can point out the various dwarf species and colours to you.

[AprilPearl]

Originally Posted by Fluffagrams

Glad to have been a help. I had so many questions when I first started going to shows so don't worry, we've all been there.

The other thing that might be worth knowing is that we don't have the facilities to accept card payments so you'll need to make sure you've got some cash on you. There'll also be a tombola, a kitchen selling refreshments and there's usually hamster accessories for sale too.

I'll be Pen Stewarding for the dwarf section so do come and say hello. I won't be able to point out my own hamsters but I can point out the various dwarf species and colours to you.

The no card thing is really helpful to know, thank you! I can just imagine finding a lovely hamster and being unable to pay. Will make sure to take some cash out. Is there a usual price for a hamster, or does it vary?

I think I will go with what I know and get a syrian if I do get a pup, as I am all equipped for one - both in terms of knowledge and cage, food & accessories. I did email a very nice lady called Kim who said that she won’t know if there will be any pups for sale at the show until Wednesday or Thursday, because breeders usually don’t notify her until then. Are there ever shows where no breeders bring any syrian hams to sell?

It all sounds really nice heaven for hamster lovers. Can’t believe that I haven’t been to a show before, really.

Would love to come and say hi. Stupid question, but what does pen stuarding involve? Just to make sure I don’t walk up to the wrong person! Oh also, I need to point out in advance that I am not terribly rude - just painfully shy. So, sorry if I come across as awkward.

Originally Posted by Golden_Syrian_Hammmies

I so wish I was in England right now so I could experience your hamster shows. Hope everyone has a wonderful time. Especially you Aprilpearl.

Ah thank you. That is so kind. Wish you could see it too. I am sure someone will post lots of pictures, though I will try to take some myself if I can and I remember!

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Looking forward to seeing pics I'm so envious lol so many breeders on hand in England. All those pups eek sooo cute! It's a fun day out for sure and getting to see the judging and all the other hamsters.

[Fluffagrams]

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

The no card thing is really helpful to know, thank you! I can just imagine finding a lovely hamster and being unable to pay. Will make sure to take some cash out. Is there a usual price for a hamster, or does it vary?

The average price is usually about £10 but there may be others on the table that may be priced differently. I'm sure Kim would be happy to advise if you had any questions.
I've known a couple of shows where there's not been many hamsters for sale although from what I've seen, that tends to happen more in the Winter when hamsters are less likely to breed.

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

Would love to come and say hi. Stupid question, but what does pen stuarding involve? Just to make sure I don’t walk up to the wrong person! Oh also, I need to point out in advance that I am not terribly rude - just painfully shy. So, sorry if I come across as awkward.

A Pen Steward basically brings all the hamsters to the judge for judging and then arranges them back on the bench in points order. They're one of the people permitted in what is known as the 'judging ring' and often wear a white coat or tabard.

The hamsters are usually divided into two sections Syrian and Dwarf (Campbells, Winter White, Chinese and Roborovski) and judged separately by different judges. The Dwarf pens are brown and the Syrian pens are black so it should be easy for you to see what section you're looking at.

You'll also see two people sat at separate tables within the judging ring, again, they will usually be wearing white coats or tabards. One will be the judge and the other will be the Book Steward, who writes down all the comments and scores from the judge.

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

Ah thank you. That is so kind. Wish you could see it too. I am sure someone will post lots of pictures, though I will try to take some myself if I can and I remember!

I usually try and take some photos for the Southern Hamster Club website and do my best to get them up within a week of the show but we do welcome submissions from others too.

All the show galleries can be found at: Show Galleries 2017 – The Southern Hamster Club