Newbie...in need of advice! =)

[Knotty]

Syrians are brilliant hams!! We have both a syrian and two chinese hams, all female. We've had our syrian not even a week yet and our chinese have been with us since April. The chinese are very tame and cute, they like their cuddles and will take treats from our hands, but they won't come out of the cage in the day to see us, we sometimes go into their cage, rustle their bedding a bit and then they will be happy to come out.

With our syrian, she loves to come out in the day, on the second day of being here, she was up at 6 in the morning for a snack and quick run on the wheel, then nack to bed, then she came out at around midday she's a lot more up for coming out in the day without us going into her cage.

The two species both make excellent pets and until you have owned both you will never know for sure which one suits you best. Your best bet, in my opinion, is to go with the syrian as your first hamster (we didn't do this, but it may be right for you) as they are larger and not so skittish as dwarf hamsters (especially robos)

Also, syrians come in a wider range of colour variations and coat lengths, so you have more choice

[PandaBaby]

Thanks hun

Yeah as disappointing as it is, I really wanted to get a Winter White, but not having any luck what so ever with Breeders here.

Now I'm having no luck with Syrian breeders either lol always the way when your looking for something!

[littlepeanut]

I personally would say Syrian for first time Ham keeper. They are so adorable and I think they have more character than dwafies. Our first Syrian was called Peanut. Previously I'd had Robos, but he was great. Really fantastic. He belonged to my son and no matter what time of the day it was, if we sang The Peanut Song (don't ask!) to him through the bars, he'd come out to see us!

Def look into Syrians. They are great

[PandaBaby]

Heya

Thanks for that =)

Yeah, think Syrians now, cause Winter Whites are a lost cause here in Northern Ireland, plus seen some Syrians today, one especially that has swayed my hubby and I.

Now to find a suitable cage. We had been cleaning our old fish tank. Thats out the window.

Any suggestions on a good cage?

Don't mind the price, wan't to get the best cage at beginning =)

I love all the Natural wood houses and toys etc, so something that would be suited for that, maybe buy a bigger tank..or should we go for the Hamster Heaven?

Someone said Syrians love climbing so wire cages are a good idea, but I also read about the bar chewing, so would be concerned about that.

[TraceyH]

Syrians are great. I have six. Can't wait to see a photo of your syrian when you get him/her.

[Knotty]

We have the hamster heaven for our Pepsi. It has plenty of space in it for toys and also has a deep base which is perfect for digging and burrowing. You can fit decent syrian sized wheels in it too

[PandaBaby]

Well another night of getting my hopes up lol, found a possible Winter White Breeder in Northern Ireland. Just waiting on more info! =D