How to Find the Breed of a Dwarf Hamster

There are five dwarf hamster species (commonly referred to as "breeds") that are popular as pets, but they do tend to look alike. Linda Price, the founder of the California Hamster Association, notes that dwarf hamsters usually fight with hamsters of other species, with the notable exception of the Russian dwarf and the winter white dwarf. These two species so closely resemble each other that before the 1990s, it was thought they were the same species. Winter whites and Russian dwarfs can interbreed, but the babies are sterile. Russian dwarfs are also called Campbells dwarfs.

Things You'll Need

  • Transparent hamster tube or transparent hamster ball
  • Empty bathtub (optional)
  • Veterinarian (optional)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Get familiar with the different species of dwarf hamsters. Although there are many good books on dwarf hamsters, dwarf hamsters with the latest colorations or patterns will be seen first on the Internet. Good sites to check out are Hamsterific.com and the California Hamster Association.

    • 2

      Put the hamster in a transparent hamster ball or hamster cage tube if the hamster does not like to be handled. In this way you can see some body features without unduly stressing the hamster. Keep the hamster in there for a maximum of 10 minutes just in case there is not enough oxygen in the plastic ball or tube. For hamsters that can be handled, the California Hamster Association recommends placing them in an empty bathtub so you can see their body features better. The bathtub sides are too slippery for the hamster to jump out of.

    • 3

      Note the hamster's facial characteristics and compare them to the Syrian hamster. Faces most like the Syrian's are the Russian dwarf and winter white. Winter whites have larger, more convex noses when looked at in profile than a Russian dwarf. If the head seems elongated, then chances are it̵7;s a Chinese hamster. The Chinese hamster's ears will also seem close to the head, giving a more rounded profile than the other dwarf species with larger ears. Roborovski hamsters have larger cheeks and a more down-turned nose than other dwarf hamster species.

    • 4

      Look at the hamster's feet. Chinese hamsters have naked feet, Roborovskis and Russian dwarfs have light fur covering their feet while winter whites have noticeable fur on their feet.