Syrian vs. Dwarf Hamsters, What Should I Get For My Family?

As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care of. Hamsters require no walking, are not particularly dirty or stinky, they are small and don't take up much space and are generally inexpensive. Hamsters are also fairly hearty animals and can be a very good pet for a child or a family with several children. There are however, two distinct choices when it comes to adopting a hamster for your family, and that is the dwarf hamster and the syrian hamster. I spoke with Ken Brocx, the founder of Hamsterific.com, an authoritative hamster and small pet website about this question and what his recommendations would be to someone considering adopting a hamster but not knowing exactly which route is best for his/her family.

Andy Markison:

Thanks Ken for taking the time to speak to us. First of all, let's assume a family
with a young child or children (let's assume around seven or eight years of age for
this example) is considering adopting a hamster or hamsters for their home. Would
you personally recommend either a dwarf hamster or a syrian hamster in this case?

Ken Brocx:

Typically I would recommend a syrian hamster for younger children. Dwarf hamsters
are smaller which can make them harder to handle. Also, if a dwarf manages to
get loose they are faster than syrians and thus harder to catch. Syrians tend to be
more docile if they are properly raised.

AM:

Syrian hamsters are supposed to be solitary once they are weaned, but that's not the
case with dwarf hamsters is it?

KB:

No. Most dwarf hamsters prefer some company, but that means more space. That
can be a problem since many commercial cages are too small for more than one
hamster, even a dwarf hamster.

AM:

Is there any reason to purchase a dwarf hamster solitarily? Or would it be better to
adopt two dwarfs rather than one?

KB:

In the wild dwarf hamsters live in colonies, so I prefer to keep them that way. A
dwarf hamster on it's own will need a lot of attention to keep it from
getting depressed.

AM:

If you initially purchase a dwarf hamster and later wish to introduce a second (or
third) dwarf hamster would that be possible or are you asking for conflicts with such
an introduction?

KB:

It depends on the particular dwarf hamster and on how long they have been alone. If
a dwarf hamster has been on it's own for more than a month I find it is very difficult
to introduce a new cagemate. Young dwarf hamsters will accept a new hamster
much more readilly than an older dwarf hamster. Also dwarf hamsters tend to
socialize better with siblings than with strange or unfamiliar hamsters.

AM:

Are dwarf hamsters generally less hearty creatures than syrians?

KB:

Both dwarf and syrian hamsters are very hardy creatures. Dwarf hamsters have been
domesticated for a much shorter time than syrians, and because of that there has
been less of an opportunity for them to become inbred. Inbreeding can cause many
problems with the health of any breed of hamster. In syrians this often results in a
hamster that is difficult to tame. In dwarf hamsters it is very common to see
diabetes in inbred pups.

AM:

What kind of equipment would you recommend someone about to adopt a hamster
get for their hamster's new home?

KB:

Hamsters need a constant supply of clean water, a food bowl that's heavy enough
that it won't tip over when a hamster is crawling on it, a wheel for exercise and a
"nest" where they can feel secure. Wheels aren't just toys. A hamster in the wild can
run several miles a night marking it's territory and looking for food and the only way
we can duplicate that in a confined space is a wheel. In the wild hamsters live in
burrows underground. For nesting a hamster needs a place where it feels it can
retreat from danger. A hamster without a nest will feel insecure and nervous.

AM:

What are the life spans of dwarfs and syrian hamsters?

KB:

Dwarfs usually live 2-4 years depending on breed, living conditions and genetic
disposition. Syrians live about 2-3 years.

AM:

What would you suggest someone look for when purchasing or adopting a hamster?

KB:

The most important things are the hamsters health and personality. The color, long
hair and pretty eyes won't matter much if you have a sick hamster. Look for clean
and dry fur, especially around the butt of the hamster, stressed hamsters can get
Wet Tail, which is a deadly type of diarrhea. Wet Tail can spread to surrounding
cages and it can be very difficult to sterilize an area after an outbreak. Personality is
very important, too. If you pick an outgoing hamster that doesn't mind being held
you're probably going to have a much easier time taming and making friends with
him or her.

AM:

Is there a reason to adopt a hamster(s) from a breeder rather than a pet store?

KB:

Professional breeders usually take great care in ensuring their hamsters are not
inbred. Inbreeding can result in many health and personality problems. Many pet
stores buy from these same breeders, although some may just let their hamsters
breed in the store leading to rampant inbreeding and hamsters with poor health.
Also, just because a person has lots of hamsters and sells them does not mean they
are a quality professional breeder. Don't forget to check your local shelters, too.
Animal shelters often have hamsters that need good homes.

AM:

Is the diet of the syrian significantly different than that of a dwarf? I know, for
example, that giving dwarf hamsters fruit that may be high in sugar could be
problematic because dwarfs may be more likely to become diabetic.

KB:

Other than that, syrians and dwarfs have similar diets.

AM:

What is "heat" exactly? It's related to nuts in some way isn't it or is it related to other
types of foods as well? And does "heat" affect a syrian and dwarf the same way?

KB:

Well, there are two types of "heat". "Heat" can be the term for when a female
hamster comes into season, but you are talking about the condition that affects
hamsters that eat too many fatty foods. That type of "heat" is usually caused by an
owner who wants to feed their hamster a treat, usually sunflower seeds, and goes
overboard. Too much oil, like that in sunflower seeds, can cause a hamster's
metabolism to speed up and cause them to lose hair. That's "heat" and I've only
seen it in dwarf hamsters.

AM:

Any last words, warnings, recommendations or other thoughts in general that you'd
like to share with someone who is interested in adopting a hamster?

KB:

Health and personality are the most important things in buying a new hamster, buy
the biggest home for your hamster you can, never put two syrian hamsters
together, and play with your hamster as often as you can!

Interview with Ken Brocx, founder of Hamsterific.com an authoritative website on hamsters
and other small pets.

Andy Markison is an illustrator, graphic designer, animal lover and pet owner living in Germany. His website, http://www.zapgraphix.com/, sells fun and humorous pet related merchandise.

Why You Should Have a Puppy - 5 Great Reasons to Buy a Cute Little Bundle of Joy

Whether or not you have ever had a puppy in your life, you will know that Dogs are truly man's (ladies and children included) best friends. From the time you get a puppy you will instantly be transformed into a soft hearted and caring person that will surprise even you. There is nothing better then to cuddle up with your family and your puppy on a cold night whilst watching a family movie.

- They are so fun to play with, that you will not have any time to bored and lonely ever again. No matter what career you have, no matter how hectic your schedule is, not matter how preoccupied you may be, there will always come a tie in your life where you will get bored and start to feel lonely. These will be the times when your friends are already preoccupied and your family is temporarily unavailable, yet your puppy will always be there for you. Never will you have to go the bars or clubs again to find yourself some company, you will have all then friendship you could ask for right in your own home.

- You will have constant protection from one of the most trusted animals on the face of this planet. It's a known fact that Dogs are faithful, loyal, and trustworthy and will never leave your side. For years people have relied on Dogs for keeping them safe and sure enough they were never let down. With great senses that humans could only dream about, a Dog will always be there, at your side to keep you safe, day and night.

- You will always have someone to cheer you up even when you are sad over silly things. How many times have you wanted to be swallowed by the earth for something so silly and childish that even your own family members didn't pay attention? A puppy will never let you down and will always be there to give you an affectionate lick and wag of the tail to get a smile back onto your face. And, a puppy will never tell on how you were acting so childish a few minutes ago!

- The kids will absolutely love having company, that you know is trustworthy and not getting into any trouble. Don't you feel that you would love your kids to have close friends but are afraid that they may join bad company and in turn get into trouble themselves? Well, with a puppy, you will never have to worry about your kids doing the wrong things again, except of course making a royal mess with their best o'le pal!

- Raising and caring for a puppy will teach you the greatest value you could ever learn in life, love. When you are raising a puppy into an adult dog, there will be a special bond that will develop between you and your pup. Some people even say it's kind of like raising your own child. What I can certainly say is that it will teach you the meaning of loving and being loved. From a tiny puppy, to a full-grown dog, you will always have that special bond between you ad your best friend.

Buying a puppy is not all; you still have to take proper care of your bundle of joy to ensure that he/ she will be fit and always healthy. You will need to concentrate on feeding habits, getting tips for walking your puppy, taking your puppy to the vet regularly and much more. Puppies, in my opinion really are a great pet to own.

American Bulldog - The facts every owner of this dog breed should know

Descended from the English BullDog, the American BullDog was nearly extinct after World War II. Thanks to the efforts of John D. Summerville, this breed has returned from the edge of extinction and flourished in America. This working Dog has been described as fiercely loyal, an excellent hunter, and wonderful family pet. In fact, some American BullDogs are known for their extraordinary acts of bravery and courage when defending their masters.

There are two types of American Bulldog: Classic (also known as Johnson or Bully) and Standard (also known as Scott or Performance); however, many of today's American Bulldogs tend to be a combination of both. Standards tend to be shorter and stockier, causing them to sometimes be mistaken for their cousin the Pit Bull, but otherwise Classic and Standard American Bulldogs look similar to one another. American Bulldogs are primarily white though some may have patches of brindle or red. Their coats are short and wiry, feeling bristly and rough to the touch. American Bulldogs require relatively little maintenance thanks to this short coat, and only need the occasional bath and regular brushing with a stiff bristle brush. Their strong jaws give their heads a boxy and strong-looking appearance.

Male American Bulldogs will reach an average height of 22 to 27 inches and average weight of 75 to 125 pounds. Females will reach average heights of 20 to 25 inches and weights of 60 to 100 pounds. American Bulldogs will live, on average, 16 years. English Bulldogs were bred as working dogs that helped herd cattle and the American Bulldog retains some of these characteristics, particularly the strong jaw and equally strong personality. Though American Bulldogs are known as fierce protectors of their properties and masters (making them excellent guard and watch dogs), they are very gentle and good with both children and other family pets.

However, an American Bulldog is sometimes unaware of its own strength and for this reason, children should always be closely supervised when playing with this breed. In general, American Bulldogs can be difficult to train, as they are stubborn, but once consistently trained, will obey. American Bulldogs are suited for apartment life, as they tend to be relatively inactive indoors. However, they should be exercised at least once a day. Some American Bulldogs are prone to hip displaysia, but otherwise, are a healthy breed of dog.

There is a website that has great information on American Bulldogs and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.

RB59 Software

http://www.rb59.com/software

Should You Buy a Purebred Dog Or a Mixed Breed Dog?

Many people who decide to get a Dog want a breed specific Dog or a purebred Dog. A purebred Dog is a dog that is the result of a litter conceived between two parent dogs of the same type. Often, if you purchase from a responsible breeder, the parents of purebred dogs have certain characteristics that are desirable because they reflect the breed standard or a specific appearance or personality trait that a breeder is trying to cultivate.

Purebred dogs have a certain appearance, or style, that appeals to many dog owners. Purebred dogs within a given breed have similar physical characteristics and all look a certain way. For example, most dog owners are very familiar with the long, soft ears of the beagle or the characteristic cuteness of the lab puppy. Owners want a dog that has these recognizable, breed specific features, and chose a purebred dog in order to ensure that they get a dog that has that "look".

Furthermore, purebred dogs tend to have breed specific temperaments, so owners can be reasonably sure of the types of behavior that their dog is genetically predetermined to exhibit. Certain dogs- like labs, golden retrievers and beagles- are known to be good with children. Other dogs, like Jack Russell Terriers, are known to be high in energy. Knowing the behavior that is typical for a breed can give new owners a guide to what their dog will be like, although of course every dog is different.

If owners wish to breed or show their dogs, purchasing a purebred dog with American Kennel Club Papers guaranteeing its pedigree are essential. The American Kennel Club registers dogs bred by responsible breeders that were conceived by two parent dogs that are also AKC registered. AKC registration ensures the "purity" of the dog and preserves the lineage of the breed.

However, there are downsides to getting a purebred dog as well. Some breeds of dogs have genetic issues inherent in the breed. For example, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to heart problems, and some labs are prone to hip dysplasia. While the loss of any pet can be traumatic for owners, pet memorials have shown that the early loss of a pet is especially devastating. Although owners memorialize their pets with pet urns or pet headstones, nothing can replace those lost years of love and comfort.

A responsible breeder will perform genetic tests on any dog they breed to ensure that the parents are free of genetic abnormalities, but this is not enough to ensure that you will not be getting a dog that is prone to health issues simply because of the breed.

In addition, some especially popular breeds of dogs have been inbred by irresponsible breeders. This inbreeding exacerbates health issues, and can even change the temperament or appearance of the dog so that the dog no longer reflects the ideals of the breed.

Mixed breed dogs, on the other hand, have certain advantages as well. They may have quirky or unique appearances that appeal to some dog owners. Because they come from different breeds of dogs, they can potentially possess the positive characteristics of each breed, while minimizing the negative characteristics. There may be fewer genetic or health issues as a result of the mixed breeding. Some mixed breed dogs have become so popular that they have almost become "designer" dogs- like the Labradoodle, for example, which is a mix of a lab and a poodle.

One risk when adopting a mixed breed puppy, especially if the origins of the pup are unknown, is the uncertainty factor. Although you can generally predict how large a dog will grow based on paw size, it is impossible to know exactly what you will end up with as far as size, temperament, or appearance, if you adopt a mixed breed pup.

Colleen Mihelich
Owner, Peternity . . . honoring your pet for eternity
http://www.peternity.com
colleen@peternity.com
877-PET-PEACE