Dizzy Dogs Day

While reading Dizzy Dogs Day's aims, I noticed the aim to educate about breeders, who can call themselves one and how to differentiate between the good, the bad and the ugly. As this is something I am passionate about I thought I'd put my two-pennorth in. Rather than a dry explanation I wanted to use my forthcoming hamster litters as a practical and evolving example. I asked Queen Dizzy who is happy for me to do so.

**Please note that I am not advertising these babies - I have a long waiting list of people who have been patiently waiting for a non-pet-shop hamster, in some cases for many months.**

Hamster Breeders

Unfortunately anyone can call themselves a breeder, whether they breed hamsters or dogs, whether they breed one litter a year or hundreds, whether the hamsters live in a living room, a converted shed or in a warehouse. This can make it tricky when you're searching for one for a new pet hamster. When looking for a new hamster, don't forget small animal rescues as a good source either.

So how do you spot the difference between a sensible hamster breeder and one who is ... not. I suggest asking questions - lots and lots of questions. I would recommend researching any new pet well before taking the step to get one, firstly so you know what you’re committing to and secondly so you can judge whether the information you are given is good. If the 'breeder' can't answer them or doesn't want to or gives incorrect information then run away as fast as you can! Also, be prepared to be asked questions by the breeder.

Some immediate warning signs from an advert/website:

• If a ‘breeder’ can’t spell the name of the animal they breed then it’s not a good sign – and yes, I’ve seen ‘breeders’ advertising ‘hampsters’!

• If a ‘breeder’ uses strange/unrecognised/vague terms for the hamster colour or species. For example, teddy bear hamster, semi-longhaired, Russian, dalmation, calico, ginger, brown.

• If the price is excessive, or graded according to rarity of colour/pattern/colour. Baby hamsters cost £5-10, most usually around £6.50 - £8.50 (even pedigree hamsters from winning show lines).

Now, for some questions!

1) Why do you breed?

I feel this is the most important question! “Because I want to” and “Because baby hamsters are cute” are not good enough in my opinion. So why do I breed? Why do I risk my pets in having litters? What do I consider a ‘good’ reason? Ultimately, my aim is to improve the species. I want to establish healthy lines with good temperament which fit the show standard (which in hamsters were set to promote good health as well as aesthetics). And in that order: health, temperament, standards. And I’m happy to explain how I judge these qualities… until the poor person who asked me at a dinner party wishes they hadn’t!

For example, I chose the parents for my litter, the Valtines, carefully. Both were imported from Belgium last Autumn due to problems I had been having with the health of some hamsters sourced in the UK. They settled in well, and learned English quickly (especially ‘dinnertime’!). Their ‘faults’ and strengths in terms of the standards complement each other. Valjean, a male dominant spot Chinese, has grown into a handsome boy. Although colour could be better, he has lovely markings and type, and has held his own at shows.

Fantine, also a dominant spot Chinese, is active and inquisitive but gentle. Her type could do with improving, but her colour’s good so I hope the babies will inherit both parents’ good health and temperament, plus the good points from both.

2) Do you provide any ongoing support? What will happen if I can no longer keep a hamster I have had from you? Will you take it back?

The answer to this is ‘yes’. If it’s not, don’t get a hamster there. A hamster from a responsible breeder shouldn’t end up in a rescue centre – they have enough to deal with already. I brought them into the world, the buck stops with me. Simples.

3) Are you a hamster club member and do you hold a prefix?

Why do I think this is important? The National Hamster Council is the governing body for the hamster fancy. It and its clubs (Southern, Midland and Northern) are run by enthusiasts who receive no financial reward. It promotes hamster care, sets the show standards and also gives 'prefixes' – hamstery names for those who have been members for 1 year. All members and prefix holders must abide by the code of conduct which relates to care and breeding.

I am a member of the Southern Hamster Club and an associate member of Midland. Unfortunately I don’t receive a membership card for this, but I do have a certificate for my registered prefix. Potential new owners can ask to see a breeder’s prefix certificate and check the list on the NHC website to make sure it’s still current.

This is my certificate (with a handy rosette blanking out my address!). I was so proud when I received it.

4) Do you cull babies in litters?

No. No. No. If the answer is anything other than ‘no’ run, fast.

More questions and answers will follow in the updates. I hope some of the questions would be useful to people seeking pets other than hamsters, especially the first two. What are your thoughts so far? Does the hamster world compare to other species? 

I'm aware that not everyone agrees with breeding. I value comments, but would prefer constructive ones

Very good post

I would say the same applies to any rodent breeder. Particular those who charge more for dumbo's...which are not a seperate species or 'breed' or for rare colours.
The best way to protect yourself is to do the homewrok on the animal you want

I agree with this post. I particularly like and hold to 2. If an animals existence is down to you, then you very much need to be prepared to be responsible for it should the owner no longer be able or want to care for it. 

The worry I have, which I've no idea how to address, is that so many people will get their information from a good breeder but buy from a bad - I've lost count of the support I've offered to people who came to me to ask advice, ignored the vast majority when it isn't what they want to hear, and when I refused to home to them, just went elsewhere to someone who didn't ask questions and just wants the animals sold....

how do you combat that? you can't refuse to give advice, because the animals suffer - but the breeders whose practices you may not agree with can continue as they are getting new owners.

(Sorry if this is a bit O/T!)

Darlings you may be talking of rats (of which i am, if i am honest, not a great fan, but i do luv Kat so have little choice) but you are also echoing exactly what is happening in the whole animal world!

I wish people would understand and see the difference from buying a pup from a fantastic breeder where you can see the blood line, not because of pedigree, but because you can see any and all health problems going back generations.

or you rescue, one or the other.

Sadly the world is full of back yard breeders who sell cheaply for no other reason than for thier own gain.

Gotto stop now or I will go on for hours!!

I will add though its fantastic to see a debate/discussion going on. Keep up the good work xx

xxxxx

I'm afraid I have no answer to that dilemma, either Christine. I suppose I'm lucky that Chinese don't seem that popular among BYBs, probably because they're tricky to breed. Also if I don't have babies (which often I don't) then I know many other sensible breeders I can direct people via local shows. Exotic small furries must be more challenging in that way.

I have had many enquiries from people who go on to get hams from their local pet shop. Part of me gets frustrated, but then I think at least that animal will have an informed new owner. I can see this isn't ideal overall though.

It's been a while since I updated this thread which was Fantine's decision - she decided she didn't want to have babies in January but wanted to meet Valjean again! Poor boy...

All went well with this litter from the point of view of the hamsters and Fantine safely delivered on 27th Feb. Hamster babies are born furless and with eyes shut, and they should not be disturbed until their eyes open at 14 days old or Mum may kill them. If a breeder shows you photos of babies with eyes shut out of the cage or being handled then this is a major red flag. Any photos should be taken without disturbing Mum or pups - I use a setting on the camera to make the pic lighter without a flash.

After eyes open, babies should be handled regularly to accustom them to people and positive handling. Choosing parents with good temperaments is important as this influences the babies' temperaments too. Both Fantine and Valjean are laid back beasties and this shows in their babies. This is them at only 15 days old:

 (if the embedding doesn't work, the link is http://youtu.be/d6X9bl0Dd3E)

You wouldn't believe that such small beasties can eat a lot, but believe me at 3 weeks old they become eating machines. They were getting through 200g of hamster mix per day plus extras (baby porridge with Lactol, chicken, egg) per day! Anyone who suggests breeding hamsters is a good way of making money is sorely mistaken.

At 4 weeks old, the babies need to be separated into girl and boy cages to prevent any accidental litters, and to give Mum a rest. Fantine was in need of one after raising 5 boisterous pups for 4 weeks! Thankfully the 4 boys are still happily living together at 4.5 weeks old, but I have many spare cages in case they fall out before they go to their new homes.

I'll move onto rehoming them next, but I think I've waffled on enough for now!

Wonderful..and so good to hear how a good breeder does work!

I have a little project for you..........hehheehhehe x

That sounds ominous, Dizzy!

Well, all my little babies have gone to their new homes with people from my waiting list. I've had updates including photos from three of the four owners already - one of the young owners promised me daily updates which she managed for the first week! None of the new owners had bought from a breeder before and had only had pet shop animals with varied outcomes. It was lovely to see the surprise (though slightly sad that it's not standard) when I said they could contact me if they had questions or worries about their new pet, and one has sought email advice to check on suitability of treats.

So how did I find these homes and what should you expect if you contact a breeder for a new pet? Three owners contacted me via my website and one was directed to me through one of the hamster clubs. Websites are fine for looking for a new pet, as long as you take care to ask a lot of questions too. I have tried to answer all of my 'questions to ask a breeder' on my site, but am always happy to answer other questions. If a 'breeder' website refers to its animals as stock or has sales or bulk buy discounts then be wary (and yes, I've seen sites like this...). As well as the potential owner asking questions, be prepared for the breeder to ask questions. I have been thinking about how I do this. Until now it has been relatively informal, but I am considering some form of application form in future. I like to have quite a few emails back and forth before I agree to put someone on the waiting list or offer them a baby. I reserve the right to say 'no', and have done - although it hasn't gone down well (proving I made the correct decision  ). I don't homecheck like good rescues do, though do ask to see photos of the cage. I have put three of my babies on the sales table at shows which I found a nerve-wracking experience! One I supervised all day, he didn't sell and I kept him until he died as an old man. One was being looked at by someone I had already refused to sell a baby to, and the sales manager withdrew my hamster (obviously asking me!) and he was later rehomed to a lovely person I knew personally. The last sales table baby was rehomed to the daughter of a friend who spoils her rotten! It's something I'll think long and hard before doing again.

One little boy has stayed here, and is called Gavroche (to follow in the Musicals theme of his parents' names). He's looking pretty good already and will be going to his first show tomorrow aged 8 weeks old. He's quietly mischevious! One day, I hope he'll have his own babies to continue to improve on the Vectis spotties. But whatever happens, he'll be my little smooshster!

How wonderful to hear how it all goes, you clearly love them and what you do.

Please do keep us updated with them, its wonderufl to see them grow and change

Lets hope that some people do read whats on here lol and they can see the clear difference between someone who breeds for greed compared to breeds for love.

Huge pat on the back

XXX

Thanks, Dizzy  Gavroche didn't place in his class, but held his own for a wee one (Chinese hams show best between 9 and 18 months in my experience) and scooped 3rd in Young Stock despite being at the lowest end of the age range. He slept all day in his show pen, bless him, and that evening all the Vectis hams got baby food as a celebration -  we placed 1st (Best in Show), 2nd (Reserve Best in Show) and 3rd in the show!!! I had wine instead of baby food as my celebration 

I've now had updates from all of the new owners, most with pictures of 'my' babies settling into their new homes. I've also added a rehoming application form to my website for basic information on interested people - and to pre warn them that I don't just have hamsters 'in stock' for them to pick up like a shop.

I love my babies very much. If you visit, you will be forced to have hamster cuddles - I'm afraid it's compulsory! Just be warned that one question from someone who looks intereted will result in me talking about hamsters for about the next half an hour!