Friendliest breed of hamster??

[JESW]

I know they all have different personalities, but are there any breeds that are more friendlier than others? Ones that like to be held and interacted with?

Over a year ago we found a dwarf hamster that was for sale at a yard sale - his owner no longer had time for him so we "adopted" him. We have a very small 4th bedroom that the birds live in so Chip (the name they gave him and we kept) lived in there with lots of company. I also spent time with him and he liked being held and petted.

Well, poor little Chip went off to hamster heaven not too long ago.. He was ok at breakfast time but when I just went in to say hello to the flock he wasn't moving. (He had been looking a bit scraggly lately but I thought it was just because he was nocturnal and the birds are early risers.) I read that their life-span is about 2-3 years and I am guessing he was right inbetween that.

Off to AC Moore later to get a small box that we can decorate and bury him in - we do that with all our animals. I think the kids (8 & 12) will be ok with it, but it's still sad. I haven't decided if we will get another hamster, but I did want to know if there were some who were friendlier than others..

Jill

 

[Turtle]

I don't have any hamsters, but I do know that the Panda Bear hamsters, and the Honey Bear are supposed to be some of the friendliest. I don't recommend the Russian dwarf hamsters really, they seem to have a nasty disposition. Not all, but I've seen a bunch that were mean. If you want a nice Dwarf, the Winter Whites seem pretty nice, and the Roborovski. Though the Robos are very hyper. Hope this helps, and I'm so sorry you lost your little Chip.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

My DD has a Russian Dwarf hamster. The pet store said they were one of the more social breeds. I would have to agree with that. The little guy will come to the edge of the cage to greet you and has never bitten anyone. He seems to like being handled.

 

[disney1990]

My daughters had hamsters growing up. I have discovered that a Guinea Pig is so much better than a hamster. They actually know who you are and react to you. My DDs are no longer at home, but now "Mom" has a Guinea Pig and he gives me hours of enjoyment.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I don't have any hamsters, but I do know that the Panda Bear hamsters, and the Honey Bear are supposed to be some of the friendliest. I don't recommend the Russian dwarf hamsters really, they seem to have a nasty disposition. Not all, but I've seen a bunch that were mean. If you want a nice Dwarf, the Winter Whites seem pretty nice, and the Roborovski. Though the Robos are very hyper. Hope this helps, and I'm so sorry you lost your little Chip.

i had one of the Panda Bear ones and he was very friendly. he didn't mind being handled at all, used to sit right on DH2B's shoulder.

we ended up getting another one, some sort of dwarf hamster....but he wasn't quite as friendly, and bit me and the vet. he was still a cute little guy tho!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

We had a long-haired Syrian hamster and he was the best. I miss him so much

 

[ConcKahuna]

A friend of mine had one of those small grey hamsters with the short hair. I have no clue what breed it was, but it was vicious. He named it Boris (as in Karloff) and I called it the Transylvanian Devil Hamster.