What type of hamster suits me the best?

Question

I'm almost 14 and I'm thinking about getting a pet hamster. I've had pet fancy mice before, if that counts for experience...I know mice and hamsters are different but they have their similarities...

I've done a bit of research on different types of hamsters.

I was interested in getting a dwarf roborovski hamster since they're so tiny and adorable, but I've found out that they're extremely fast and difficult to handle/tame. If I got one, I'd be patient with it and everything but I still want a hamster that likes to be played with.

I'm more interested in getting a dwarf hamster because they're more fun to watch, more active...and cuter and smaller. Which one would you recommend and why? (Campbell, Russian, Winter White, Chinese, Robo...)

Or is it really more worth it to get a Syrian hamster? I'm not that appealed by their big size and I've heard that they're a bit lazy. But I guess that's made up by their good temperament and tolerance of human handling?

If I get a good tempered, well behaved dwarf, could they be as loving and sweet as Syrians?

Do all breeds of hamsters have equal chances of getting ill?

Are some breeds more prone to illness, if so which ones?

If you live in California, can you find robo hamsters at Petco/Petsmart? (Petsmart more preferrable.)

Are teddy bear hamsters higher maintenence because of their long hair?

Any other info about their temperament, behavior, etc. will be appreciated.

I don't need too much info about caging/bedding/wheels/toys but you're welcome to post it if you want.

Thanks :D

Answer 1

i would go for a syrian hamster as a first hamster. my hamster (rex)

is over 1 year old and he is never lazy! you just have to give them the right cage. one with a wheel and maybe tubes. they also like cages with more than 1 floor.  Go on this link for a great cage! (available from pets at home)

http://www.amazinganimal.co.uk/images/sa...

i move my wheel close to the bars so my hamster could climb up and spin on top of his wheel! as well as inside! he loves spinning on top lol!

also provide a ball. get a 'runner medium' for a syrian hamster.

after you have had experience with a syrian hamster you could get some dwarf campbells! they are a lot more active, but are the easiest dwarfs to tame! good luck with choosing! hope this helps!

ollie

Answer 2

get a winter white.http://www.flickr.com/photos/23516192@N0...

Answer 3

i would get a teddy bear hamster i have 1 and he has never bitten me even when i wake him up they are docile and very cute it looks like they are wearing a fur scurt cuz of their hair and how it grows

Answer 4

i have had a chinese dwarf hamster. it's a mix of the dwarf, and a mix of the chinese. he was really small, and the cutest thing ever. the only thing i didn't like about him is that the boy chinese hamsters have big junk, so if you do get a chinse dwarf hamster, get a girl.

Answer 5

The dwarf siberian hamster

I had one, female, and she's easy to tame

she loves to play with her chew toys

And so CUTE!!

Answer 6

i only read the first 2 paroghraphs!

short haired are the best!

ive had 4

1. rosie(http://www.hamsterific.com/images/hamste... BEST!!!

2.snowy(http://futurismic.com/wp-content/uploads...

3.shelly(http://www.dkimages.com/discover/preview...

4. current hammy.Poo(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/43314... idk but so far so good!

Answer 7

DON'T GET A DWARF THEY BITE AND ARE EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!

i have one

i dislike it

Answer 8

I went through all of this a few months ago. I went for a syrian in the end. Mine was very easy to tame and is definitely not lazy! She's only bitten my once, when I took her to the vets (she's active, but clumsy).

With dwarves, I hear it's often better to keep them in pairs. The thing I prefer about syrians is that they are solitary and therefore you can give them far more attention and training time. I don't know how it applies to hamsters, but I know when I've kept guinea pigs in pairs before, the other has become distressed when inevitably the other has died.

As for illness, to my knowledge dwarf breeds are more suseptable to cancer and other tumours. However, some breeds have a longer life expectancy than syrians.