82 replies to this topic

[PaintedHamster]

I honestly consider Syrians the best beginner, just because they are bigger and I would consider myself a person to be able to lose a dwarf or robo, LOL. Also, I thought all dwarves were diabetic? I heard some info about that when I got my first hamster (RIP Yuki). But thats just my opinion. 

[Caesars Mommy]

Great post Tax! I love it! *Prints it out*

 

[SWorfolk]

As a future hamster owner, this is a topic I heard a lot about. Some people do say it doesn't matter but I think I will probably get a Syrian because they are bigger and generally slower and if you're like me and you're not familiar with taming and handling and all that stuff it will be easier with a Syrian.

[Ashkid101]

Honestly, I've never seen a slow Syrian...... although I can see how their size can make them easier to hold, if you can get hold of them in the first place.

[SyrianSugar]

Honestly, I've never seen a slow Syrian...... although I can see how their size can make them easier to hold, if you can get hold of them in the first place.

 

Huh. I guess all my Syrians have been exceptionally slow and lazy haha! I've owned 4 Syrians, all of which were slow. 

(I still own one of them, Maple. He's pretty slow too.)

 

Interesting to read. How many Syrian's have you owned? Were all of them fast? (:

[Ashkid101]

 

Huh. I guess all my Syrians have been exceptionally slow and lazy haha! I've owned 4 Syrians, all of which were slow. 

(I still own one of them, Maple. He's pretty slow too.)

 

Interesting to read. How many Syrian's have you owned? Were all of them fast? (:

 

 

 

Huh. I guess all my Syrians have been exceptionally slow and lazy haha! I've owned 4 Syrians, all of which were slow. 

(I still own one of them, Maple. He's pretty slow too.)

 

Interesting to read. How many Syrian's have you owned? Were all of them fast? (:

 

My best friend had numerous Syrians and I'd go to her house literally every day (we lived in the same apartment building). So no, I haven't had any Syrians (I guess my point isn't really valid :P) but all of her hamsters were lightning fast. I believe there are tons of slow Syrians as well, and maybe that's how the majority of them behave but I guess her hams just weren't majority. Cage size might've played a part as well, they were in pet store cages but that was quite a few years back and we just didn't know better.

[Emma&Chester]

Cage size might've played a part as well, they were in pet store cages but that was quite a few years back and we just didn't know better.

 

I have a male Syrian (males are generally labelled as "chill" and "slower than females" - yet another thing I have yet to see in person :p) and even at almost 22 months old, he is lightning quick - and his enclosure is an excess of 2,000 square inches. I've also owned many Syrians over the past 10 years - I don't think I'd class a single one as "slow".  Sure, slower than a robo but certainly not slow.

 

Regardless; I'm sure there are genuinely slow Syrians (just as there are slow dwarfs), but I think they're made to be out to be more prevalent than they actually are. Keiko is slow if he's just woken up but when he's awake, he's like a white blur dashing across the room - he can't sit still for a millisecond either.

[Ashkid101]

I have a male Syrian (males are generally labelled as "chill" and "slower than females" - yet another thing I have yet to see in person :p) and even at almost 22 months old, he is lightning quick - and his enclosure is an excess of 2,000 square inches. I've also owned many Syrians over the past 10 years - I don't think I'd class a single one as "slow".  Sure, slower than a robo but certainly not slow.

 

Regardless; I'm sure there are genuinely slow Syrians (just as there are slow dwarfs), but I think they're made to be out to be more prevalent than they actually are. Keiko is slow if he's just woken up but when he's awake, he's like a white blur dashing across the room - he can't sit still for a millisecond either.

Which makes sense; If a wild hamster was slow then it would be a pretty big disadvantage.

[hamsterpepper10]

Really i like dwarfs as a first. They are really easy to tame and don't catch as much sicknesses as syrians do. Also make great company

[HamsterCookies]

I think it will be syrians eventhough I have 9 dwarfs

[TheMetallicaHams]

I often see people saying that Syrians are easier to handle and tame but I have found that my Chinese have generally been far more willing to sit nicely on their owner’s hand for cuddles. I agree that there’s no such thing as the ‘best species for beginners’ as a lot will depend on what you are looking for and the individual hamster’s personality.

When I went back into hamster keeping six years ago, I thought I wanted a ‘Russian Hamster’ but on the day I went to choose them at the shop, I saw some Chinese and fell in love with them. I’d never heard of them before that point but I’m glad I discovered them and I think that they are the right species of hamster for me. I often say to people now that the right hamster is the one that catches your eye (be it in a rescue centre, as a photo on a breeder’s website or wherever you have decided to get your hamster from).

[Sarahs~Hamsters]

In a way, Any species is best for beginners. In my opinion, dwarfs are the better option just from my experience. I had a male dwarf as my first hamster and he was the sweetest non biting animal I've ever met. Then I got a Syrian and she bit me multiple times and was very active and hard to hold. My current hamster who is a Syrian is hard to hold too and very active at night. But he has never bitten me.

It all depends on the hamsters personality, unfortunately there's no way to tell what ur hamster will be like before u get it, so it's not right to caterogorise that for example Syrians are best, because of the fact that just because one hamster was like that doesn't make them all like that.

[animalpetlover21]

In my opinion dwarfs are better for beginners because they are more likely to be content with the cage you give them. Syrians are a lot harder to please and it might freak a new hamster owner out when they're new hamster is continuously trying to escape.

Now dwarfs also might try to escape, but I believe it is less likely. As my past dwarf was always happy in her cage, but my next hamster thought it was too small. (Upgrade time!!!!!!!) I just think in general a hybrid might be a good start. As they're easier to tame than robos and quite easy to please.

My first hamster was a robo and I loved her so much!! In my opinion I also say just get what you want! If you want a Syrian hamster fine then that's your opinion. You say dwarf? Good for u! Honestly get the hamster you feel is right. Then so your best to make their lives perfect as possible!!!!!!

[HamsterCookies]

Syrian because:

Syrians are bigger and they have less chance to escape,they also love playing with humans.

[Poptart27]

I like both hamsters I could not choose just one. I love that you did not say just because one hamster is aggressive then that whole species is gonna be agressive. Because that is not true. My little dwarf hamster is very gentle and fast at the same time it you know what I mean. XD