Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters or Chinese Hamsters - advice, please

[Italiangreyhound]

Hi all

We have had a Syrian hamster (which lived for two yeas and was a rescue hamster). He was absolutely lovely and my dd was very sad when he died of old age (she was 8). So we got a cat and he was with us for almost two years. Very sadly, our lovely cat was killed this week by being run over, he was just under 2 years old.

We will not get a new pet until next month but dd (10) is keen to have a different pet! She is thinking of a pair of rabbits but has also been keen on a hamster too.

We could have another Syrian but would quite like either a pair of Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters or Chinese Hamsters (to live together or to live separately but socialise together).

I am sure we will have a cat another time (I so miss our ginger pudding) but not while we have hamsters so I feel if dd does want one then now is the time! Our son is almost 5 and is quite clever and sensible, most of the time. So one hamster would be dd's and one would be ds's but in name only! We would always closely supervise him and as he is not particularly animal keen if he 'owned' a hamster it would be in name only!

So here are some questions, please..... my top 5!

1. Please could you tell me which is better for a family, Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters or Chinese Hamsters? I am thinking in terms of interaction and stuff with the family. Our last hamster lived in our living room and was one of the family!
   
   
2. Is it better to house them together or separately? If together we could have more than two, is this advisable, please?
   
   
3. Could they be sexed when we bought them so we would get all same sex - or are mistakes made in sexing, which could lead to babies?!
   
   
4. Is a tank or cage better, please?
   
   
5. What are your top tips on choosing and caring for Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters or Chinese Hamsters , please?
   
   Thank you, I am so grateful. We are not decided on a pair of hamsters yet, just info gathering!
   
   www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?articleid=2053

[NYE2015]

Can't speak for the Chinese variety but about 20 years ago I had Dwarf Russian hamsters and they were plain vicious! They would nip my finger and hang on tight, no matter how hard I tried to shake them off.

We bought two of the same sex but they clearly weren't as one became pregnant, so we sought advice and separated male and female, only to then witness the Mum eat her young one by one as they grew older.

Not great memories!

[Italiangreyhound]

Oh dear NYE2015 that is awful! So sorry for you.

I know it was 20 years ago so I wonder if you can remember (or do you know) if they were Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) or Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus), please?

Dwarf Campbell Russians are very small, reaching a maximum size of only 4" as adults. The natural coat color is grayish brown fur on the back with a darker strip of color down the spine, a creamier color on the sides, and a white stomach. Dwarf Campbell Russians can be found in a variety of colors however, due to selective breeding. The average life span of a Dwarf Campbell Russian is about 2 years.

Dwarf Winter White Russians come in three colors: Sapphire, Pearl, and a combination of the two called Sapphire-Pearl. Pearl is a white pattern where white hairs are sprinkled throughout the coat, and Sapphire is a purple-gray color. Sapphire Winter White Russians have a gray undercoat, a thick gray stripe along their spines, and an ivory colored stomach.

My guinea pig died in really horrible circumstances so I do wonder if that is why I am not keen on guinea pigs.

[KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon]

I had three Russian hamsters.

One ate the other's faces.

Was grim.

Bunnies are good pets if you keep them indoors and give them lots of cuddles. They're easy to tame but you need to be consistent.

[CandyAppleFudge]

We had 2 brothers living together Diablo was a Winter White Russian Dwarf and Angelo was a Campbell Russian Dwarf. Diablo had diabetes and then they started fighting and had to be separated but not before Angelo damaged Disblos eye for good. Angelo was sort of friendly(if you caught him in the right mood) Diablo hence the name was an evil bastard that drew blood on a daily basis. I wouldn't ever keep 2 as it's not work the risk. Freddie's a winter white x Campbell and he's still an arse.

[NYE2015]

Yes they had the darker stripes and cream colour you described, so possibly not the exact same variety you're after. Unless a Russian hamster is a Russian hamster?

[Italiangreyhound]

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon bloomin' heck, how old were you!? You are all doing a good job of putting me off small hamsters! Don't fancy coming down to that first thing in the morning!

[Italiangreyhound]

CandyAppleFudge oh lordy, am not keen any more.... runs and hides behind sofa! I want my nice cat back!

[Twooter]

Definitely go for another Syrian. The other types are nothing like the friendly personalities of the Syrians.

[Italiangreyhound]

NYE2015 apparently there are three types of dwarf hamster, the two described above and also the ...

Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus roborovski)

Roborovski hamsters are sandy brown with a white stomach, white marks over their eyes, and occasionally a white face. They are the smallest of the most popular hamster breeds, reaching an adult size of only 1-1/2" to 2". The average life span of a Roborovski is longer than any of the other common hamster breeds at 3 to 3-1/2 years.

www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?articleid=2053

and then there are Chinese hamster who are not dwarf but are small. (Not sure what the difference is!)

Chinese Hamsters (Cricetulus griseus)
Chinese hamsters, also known as Striped hamsters or Chinese Striped hamsters....

Chinese hamsters are often mistakenly referred to as dwarf hamsters. Though at about 4" full grown they are similar in size to other dwarf hamsters, they are actually not true dwarfs. Chinese hamsters have a body type that is similar to a rat or mouse - long and slender. There are two colors of Chinese hamsters. The first, and most common, is an agouti coat with a dark brown back, a black line of fur along the spine, and an ivory colored stomach. The other color is called a "dominant spot," and it is a white coat with spots of color. The average life span of Chinese hamsters is about 1-1/2 to 2 years.

I think Syrian hamsters or rabbits are looking more appealing!!!

[Italiangreyhound]

Thanks all.