Skip to main content

What’s the difference between hamster breeds? They aren’t all alike

You might not know it, but there actually isn’t just one hamster species. When you picture this sweet rodent in your head, you’re probably seeing the Syrian variety (stay tuned for more info on them). In fact, there are many different breeds, and one may wind up working better than another for you, depending on your situation. Dig a little deeper and discover their defining traits so you can determine which will match the best with your household. 

Girl holds a dwarf hamster on her shoulder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How many hamster species are there?

In the wild, you can find around 20 individual species roaming Europe and Asia. However, we only regularly keep five types as pets. You should think of the hamster varieties as being divided into three categories: Syrian, dwarf  (there are three that fit here), and Chinese. While sometimes you see the Chinese hamsters lumped in with the dwarfs, they’re actually their own special group that isn’t quite as common as the other four. All five of these look very different and they also have wildly different personalities. In order to choose the right one, you’ll need to know a little bit more about them.

What are the 5 best hamster breeds?

We’ll start with the biggest and go down from there. But don’t forget, more common doesn’t mean it’s the best for you. One of the lesser-known species could wind up being the right one.

Syrian

This hamster is the most common, the biggest, and arguably the friendliest of all the hamsters. At up to seven inches in length with a pleasant golden color and an inquisitive (yet snuggly) personality, it’s almost as if this guy was made to be the perfect pet. If you have small children around, you will probably want to stick with this species since it’s actually easier to manage due to its slightly larger size. However, keep in mind that these guys only ride solo — if you get one, you’ll need to keep only one or they’ll fight.

Syrian hamster walks on owners hands
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Chinese

A recent pet and likely the rarest one, these little hamsters look more like rats than anything else. They make it to about five inches plus a very long tail, much lengthier than you’d see on the proper dwarfs. Just like their Syrian cousin, you should keep only one of these animals at a time. They’re often known as the most docile and can act very timid. You can choose from the basic brown and tan or spotted colors. 

Campbell Russian

These names get a little confusing but think of this as the biggest of the dwarfs. They’re cool with their own kind, but also prone to nipping occasionally. On the plus side, even though they’re nocturnal, you might see your pet out and running during the day. You also have a wider selection when it comes to this breed. 

Winter white dwarf

This one has a lot of names but we’re talking about Phodopus sungorus, known for its stripe and very tameable personality. Unlike the Syrian or Chinese, this breed can live in pairs or small groups, provided you give them enough space. But they breed quickly, faster than the larger animals, so you definitely need to stick with a same-sex colony. Last, but certainly not least, they might switch colors in the winter, which is fun to observe (and great for Instagram).

Roborovski

The littlest and maybe cutest of the hamsters, this sweetie is half the size of the Campbell, so only two inches or so. While it might seem that would make them easy to hold onto it usually means the opposite: they can slip right out of your hands. You should always start socializing your Robo at a young age and keep it up with daily petting, as long as you’re careful since they’ll leap away at any opportunity. Perhaps as a result of their smaller size, this pet can live longer than the others, up to four years. 

Final thoughts on choosing your pet

Choosing a rodent for a pet is only the first step to finding the perfect furry friend for your family. You should start by thinking about which characteristics matter most to you: maybe you want to keep a few at a time or perhaps you want a bigger variety for a smaller child. But there’s another way to do it — meet hamsters and see what clicks. Make sure you find a reputable breeder and check that the little mammals all look happy and healthy, then select the one that you take a liking to. Because the cage setup and food are similar, you can bring home whichever one calls to you.

Editors' Recommendations

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Is my rabbit pregnant? 5 telltale signs you should know
Look for these signs to confirm your rabbit will soon have babies
Baby rabbit being held by owner

What's better than one pet rabbit? An entire litter of bunnies (as long as you're prepared for them, of course). If you've been wondering, "Is my rabbit pregnant?" now is the time to find out for sure. After all, you don't want to be caught unaware and suddenly have a whole new colony of animals in your hutch.

Sometimes, lady bunnies can take on the behaviors of expectant mamas, but it's actually a false pregnancy. The best way to find out if your rabbit is pregnant is to take her to the vet and have them confirm it. However, when you're figuring it out yourself, you should look for the signs that a rabbit is pregnant. If you spot these behaviors, be sure to call your animal doctor.

Read more
What you need to know about sugar gliders before you get an exotic pet
Follow these steps to set your sugar glider up for success
Sugar glider clings to their owner's thumb

Choosing a small pet involves almost as much deliberation as selecting a breed of dog. While there are a lot of factors to take into account, a sugar glider might turn out to be the perfect fit with their curious personality, attachment to your family, and fondness for pockets.

Like any exotic pet, gliders require expert care plus some dedicated research to choose the right breeder or pet store. But with the right prep, your new mammal will fit in perfectly and bond with the whole family. Keep reading to find out if sugar gliders are good pets.
What are sugar gliders?
Unlike most little pets, sugar gliders aren't rodents but marsupials. This gives you a few distinct advantages, as they behave differently from hamsters, guinea pigs, or gerbils. For starters, these are highly social creatures and they will bond with every member of the family and even other pets in the house. Because gliders don't smell like the animals your cats and dogs like to chase — rats, gophers, and bunnies, to name a few — many bigger pets can get along with your new friend. You'll need to introduce them carefully, but they can form lifelong attachments to each other.

Read more
3 reasons not to give pet rabbits, baby chicks, or ducks this Easter
Things to consider before getting or gifting small animals this holiday
A baby chick sits in the grass next to a broken egg

Peter Cottontail isn't the only one hopping down the bunny trail this April. Tons of baby animals are opening their eyes to the world for the very first time, and it's oh-so-hard to resist the cuteness. From bunnies to chicks and even ducks, these animals are the perfect symbols of spring.
Sometimes, these animals make great pets, too. But is a holiday the right time to gift a pet? We think all potential pet owners should consider some important, realistic facts, especially if they're considering owning or gifting a baby animal for Easter. This is a big decision, after all! Here's what to know first.

Pet ownership is for their whole life, not just the baby phase
As precious as baby chicks and ducklings can be, they'll grow up into chickens and ducks one day. You'll only get a few months of babyhood to enjoy, though even those early months will be filled with chores and messes of all kinds. Remember, caring for a baby animal is still caring for an animal!

Read more