Looking for dwarf hamster breeders in Ontario

[mdfa]

Hello everyone,

I just found this forum and think it's great. We will be getting a hamster
for my daughter soon and she is all set on a dwarf (one of those with a
stripe down their back) but I have never seen them in any pet store. And
even if I did I'm not sure I'd like to get a hamster from a pet store...
Are there any breeders here in the Hamilton/Toronto area?

When growing up I used to keep hamsters and to be honest, I'm looking as
much forward to our future addition to the family as my daughter is!

Margaret.

[Deborah]

Post by mdfa
Hello everyone,
I just found this forum and think it's great. We will be getting a hamster
for my daughter soon and she is all set on a dwarf (one of those with a
stripe down their back) but I have never seen them in any pet store. And
even if I did I'm not sure I'd like to get a hamster from a pet store...
Are there any breeders here in the Hamilton/Toronto area?
When growing up I used to keep hamsters and to be honest, I'm looking as
much forward to our future addition to the family as my daughter is!

I can't help with a breeder sorry but you're looking for a dwarf Campbell
sometimes called a russian hamster. The big pet shop chains will usually
sell them. Also these type of hamsters are very sociable so if you can
please get at least two of the same sex.

Deborah
--
Hamster Heaven - http://www.hamster-heaven.co.uk

[mdfa]

Deborah,

thank you for the information. My daughter will be happy to know they like
company!!! I will check the big pet shop here, hopefully they will have
them.

Thanks again,

Margaret.

[MiHoSwEeTi]

Post by mdfa
Hello everyone,
I just found this forum and think it's great. We will be getting a hamster
for my daughter soon and she is all set on a dwarf (one of those with a
stripe down their back) but I have never seen them in any pet store. And
even if I did I'm not sure I'd like to get a hamster from a pet store...
Are there any breeders here in the Hamilton/Toronto area?
When growing up I used to keep hamsters and to be honest, I'm looking as
much forward to our future addition to the family as my daughter is!
Margaret.

The hamsters you're looking for are Campbells. Unfortunately I don't know any
breeders in your area, but if you do find one, make sure that they are
consistently checking their line for diabetes. It is a huge problem in the
Campbells population, and all signs show that it is passed on genetically.
Some hamsters with diabetes that is untreated (or sometimes even treated) live
very short lives (5-8 months, some as young as 4 months). If you would like
more info on diabetes, and how to treat them for it feel free to either contact
me at my email address, or on this list It is mostly making sure they get a
good, balanced diet catered for diabetics, and checking the glucose levels
which is easy.


christine miho
http://community.webshots.com/user/miho176
http://community.webshots.com/user/hamsterhaven

[mdfa]

Just to let you know, didn't find any dwarf breeders in Ontario, but we did
get two little girls (at least I hope they are both girls!) from a pet
store. My daughter named them Honey Comb and Capuccino. They are very
sweet but still not very socialized and they DO bite!

We had a bit of a problem with them - they both scratched excessively! Of
course the store recommended pine bedding for them. I then learned it's
not good for them at all, so we changed it to Carefresh. Now Honey has
stopped scratching, but Capuccino still does, though less than before. If
she continues, we may take her to the vet to rule out mites.

I would like to find out what kind of dwarf hamsters they are. They are
solid in colour, very light beige, with lighter (though barely
discernible) underbellies. Their eyes look red. Does that sound familiar
to anyone?

Margaret.

[MiHoSwEeTi]

Post by mdfa
I would like to find out what kind of dwarf hamsters they are. They are
solid in colour, very light beige, with lighter (though barely
discernible) underbellies. Their eyes look red. Does that sound familiar
to anyone?

There are several main types of dwarves with different types of coloring. The
main type with the most variety in the coloring is the Campbells. Maybe you
could post a picture on a site and we could help identify? :)

From the description I would guess that they're probably a Campbells.

This website has lots of pictures and pretty good descriptions of the different
types: http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters.asp


christine miho
http://community.webshots.com/user/miho176
http://community.webshots.com/user/hamsterhaven

[mdfa]

Christine,

thanks, but I did some research on the web yesterday and found out they
are in fact Campbells. ONe is Argente colour the other I think blue
Argente or something like that. And, BTW, I did finally find some breeders
in Ontario. Just a little too late... ;-)


Margaret.