Colours and Temperaments?

[Louby]

I know yellows are known for being a bit jumpy and noisy, but I have no idea what the general opinions of other colours are.

I know that this is totally generalising, and there will be exceptions to every rule, but in general...what colours are known for being really friendly and placid?

HW and I are increasing our hamster numbers rather fast, but a good temperament is always going to matter more to us than an award winning show ham.

Alvin is a Sable Roan and is super active and still quite jumpy (he did calm down for a week, but then went back to his mad self! )

Cupcake and Bob (Grappa) are both creams and they are both laid back and placid. No idea if this is normal for a cream?

Any experiences welcome!

[Holly]

Well there's always going to be opinions on this - some books say that there's no difference in the temperaments of different colours - I prefer to take the breeders word for it and assume Yellows/Torts are a bit more, shall we say lively.

I have read that Creams are particularly placid, whether that's true for all I can't say - I do have some incredibly laid back Creams and I also have a laid back Satin Sable roan, Sable, Mink (all colours related to Cream genetically) as well as a super laid back Golden-banded.

When I first started with hams I was also told Silver-Greys had a reputation for being very calm, our Mocha certainly must have heard them!

[Basia]

I would be interested to hear what people think who breed lots of colours.
I have heard that creams have good temperments and that has certainly been my experience of creams, sables and my roans.
Having said that my goldens are also very good natured and so is Honey despite her yellow heritage.

[Yaffle]

my cinammons have lovely temperaments but that could be down to my fab taming lol!

My dark golden is quite highly strung but i really do think it's all in the genetics and soooooooo subjective!

[Hamster Widow]

What about Blacks???? I really like the way they look (Men can be SO shallow) and am considering my own first Ham so I really need to know of any issues about their temperaments.

[Bourne Valley Hams]

Temperament does vary from hamster to hamster as well as with colour. Alvin's parents are both very laid back - but as you know Alvin seems to be a bit of a live wire!!
Generally the calmer colours tend to be creams, sables, silvers, blacks (yes HW - blacks are usually quite calm) and goldens. But the recessives in the background do play a part. Any yellows I breed tend to be quite calm but most have black in the background (they are rubbish yellows for showing though!!)
Just to add to the confusion I have found that dominant spots can sometimes be a bit jumpy, though bandeds and roans don't seem to be affected.
There are always exceptions though.

[Louby]

Silvers eh BVH? Does this mean we should be on the list for one of your famous Silver Greys??? Pleeeeeease??????

I'm really excited that Blacks are included in the list above...I really REALLY want HW to get his 'own' hammie! Lets hope he falls in love with one soon (Blenheim here we come!!!)

[Moosley]

From personal experiance:

Creams - The MOST placid laid back, lazy beasties
Silver Greys, Blacks, Sables - Laid back but more active
Cinamons, Honeys, Light and Dark Greys, LBJs - Slightly insane and very active.
Yellows and Tortoiseshell *anythings* - psychotic little loonatics (great fun though! thats my speciality lol)

[Matty Day]

just how insane are cinnies descriptoin slightly puts me off this colour

[Bourne Valley Hams]

Yep - Moosleys got it about right there. My experience backs up those descriptions!!