The Most Popular Hamster Breed, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the hamster breed you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:40
Choosing the right hamster breed can be a delightful yet daunting task for potential pet owners. With so many breeds, each possessing its unique characteristics and care needs, making an informed decision is crucial. A clear understanding of which breeds are favored can guide newcomers in selecting a pet that aligns with their lifestyle and expectations.
This site provides a dynamic ranking system where hamster enthusiasts like you contribute their votes to help determine the most popular breeds. By participating, not only do you aid others in making well-informed decisions, you also gain insight into trends and community preferences. Your involvement ensures the rankings reflect the current opinions of real users and pet lovers.
What Is the Most Popular Hamster Breed?
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146votes
Syrian Hamster
George Robert WaterhouseAlso known as the Golden Hamster, this is the most popular hamster breed as they are easy to care for and have a friendly nature. They come in a variety of colors and patterns.The Syrian Hamster, scientifically known as Mesocricetus auratus, is a popular breed of hamster widely kept as a pet. It is also referred to as the Golden or Teddy Bear hamster due to its distinctive golden or brown fur. The Syrian Hamster is indigenous to the arid regions of Syria, Turkey, and northern China. It was first discovered by George Robert Waterhouse, an English naturalist, in 1839.- Size: Adults typically measure 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) long
- Lifespan: They have an average lifespan of 2 to 3 years
- Diet: Mainly herbivorous, they feed on a diet rich in seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables
- Behaviour: Primarily solitary and territorial in nature, they should be housed alone
- Activity: Nocturnal creatures, they are most active during the evening and night
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234votesThese small hamsters are also popular due to their cute appearance and playful personalities. They are easy to care for and can be kept in pairs.The Dwarf Hamster is a popular breed of small rodents known for their tiny size and cute appearance. They are native to parts of Asia and exhibit various color variations, including shades of gray, white, brown, and even red. These hamsters are energetic, social, and relatively easy to care for.
- Size: Approximately 2-4 inches in length
- Lifespan: Typically 1.5-3 years
- Weight: Around 1-2 ounces
- Temperament: Generally friendly and curious, but may nip when startled or threatened
- Activity Level: High energy and need plenty of exercise
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316votes
Bullet · CC BY-SA 3.0Known for their speed and agility, Roborovski hamsters are also popular as pets. They are small and require less space compared to other breeds.The Roborovski Hamster, also known as the Robo Dwarf Hamster, is one of the most popular hamster breeds kept as pets. It is the smallest and fastest hamster breed, making it a favorite among hamster enthusiasts.- Size: Around 2 inches (5 cm) long
- Weight: 20-30 grams
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
- Speed: Can run up to 3 meters per second
- Social Behavior: Usually live in small groups in the wild
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428votes
Tristanspotter · Public domainChinese Hamster
Natural EvolutionChinese hamsters are known for their long tails and calm personalities. They are also easy to care for and can be kept in pairs.The Chinese Hamster, also known as the striped hamster, is a small rodent belonging to the Cricetidae family. These hamsters are native to the deserts and steppes of Mongolia and northern China. They are characterized by their slim build, long and narrow eyes, as well as the distinctive dorsal stripe running along their back.- Origin: Mongolia and northern China
- Size: Around 3.5 to 4.7 inches (9-12 cm) in length
- Weight: Approximately 0.8 to 1.2 ounces (22-34 grams)
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
- Body Shape: Slim and elongated
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519votes
Campbell's Dwarf Hamster
W. C. CampbellAnother popular dwarf hamster breed, Campbell's dwarf hamsters are known for their playful and active nature. They are social and can be kept in pairs.Campbell's Dwarf Hamster is a small and popular breed of hamster that belongs to the Phodopus genus. It was named after W. C. Campbell, who first brought the species to Europe from Mongolia in the early 20th century. Campbell's Dwarf Hamsters have become one of the most common pet hamster breeds due to their small size, friendly nature, and low maintenance requirements.- Size: 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm)
- Weight: 0.9 to 1.4 ounces (25 to 40 grams)
- Lifespan: 1.5 to 2 years
- Coat Type: Short and dense fur
- Body Shape: Compact with a rounded back
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622votes
Dirk Goldhahn · CC BY-SA 2.5These small hamsters are known for their ability to change color in the winter. They are also social and can be kept in pairs.The Winter White Dwarf Hamster, also known as the Djungarian hamster, is a small species of hamster known for its distinctive color-changing ability in response to seasonal changes. It originates from northeastern Asia, particularly from regions such as Siberia and Mongolia. The Winter White Dwarf Hamster is a popular choice for pet owners due to its cute appearance and relatively low maintenance needs.- Size: Approximately 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) long
- Weight: Around 1-1.5 ounces (30-50 grams)
- Lifespan: Typically 1.5-2.5 years
- Coat Colors: Can vary from grayish-brown in summer to pure white in winter
- Eye Color: Dark black or ruby red
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716votesThese hamsters are known for their fluffy appearance and friendly personalities. They require regular grooming to maintain their fur.The Teddy Bear Hamster, also known as the Syrian Hamster, is one of the most popular hamster breeds kept as pets. It is called the Teddy Bear Hamster due to its long, dense, and fluffy fur, resembling a teddy bear.
- Size: Adults grow to around 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) in length.
- Weight: They typically weigh between 4 to 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams).
- Lifespan: Generally lives for about 2 to 3 years.
- Coat Color: Common coat colors include golden-brown, black, gray, and white.
- Behavior: Generally docile and friendly, making them great for handling and interacting with.
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88votesAnother variation of the Syrian hamster, Black Bear hamsters are known for their black fur and white belly. They are easy to care for and have a friendly nature.The Black Bear Hamster is a popular breed of hamster known for its unique black coat resembling that of a bear. It is characterized by its fluffy fur and adorable appearance.
- Origin: Unknown
- Coat Color: Black
- Coat Length: Long
- Size: Medium
- Weight: Approximately 100-150 grams
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96votesAnother variation of the Syrian hamster, Panda Bear hamsters are known for their black and white fur resembling a panda. They are easy to care for and have a friendly nature.The Panda Bear Hamster, also known as the Teddy Bear Hamster, is a popular breed of hamster known for its adorable and fluffy appearance. It gets its name due to the similarity of its markings to that of a panda bear. This hamster breed has gained significant popularity among pet owners due to its gentle nature and cute demeanor.
- Size: Medium
- Coat: Long and dense fur
- Color: Mostly white with black patches
- Weight: 100-150 grams (3.5-5.3 ounces)
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
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1013votesA rare variation of the Winter White Dwarf hamster, Sapphire Winter White hamsters are known for their blue-gray fur. They are social and can be kept in pairs.The Sapphire Winter White Dwarf Hamster is a breed of hamster that is highly popular among pet owners. It is known for its stunning blue-gray fur that resembles the color of sapphires and its small size, making it an adorable companion. The breed was initially created through selective breeding to showcase the unique blue-gray coat color.
- Size: Approximately 3-4 inches long
- Weight: Around 1-2 ounces
- Coat Color: Blue-gray with a hint of silver
- Life Span: 2-3 years
- Temperament: Generally docile and friendly
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Ranking factors for popular hamster breed
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Size and body typeThe size and body type of a hamster breed play a significant role in its popularity. Smaller breeds are generally more popular among first-time owners and kids for their ease of handling and lesser space requirements.
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AppearanceA hamster's appearance is another important factor in its popularity. Breeds with unique and attractive fur colors, patterns, and textures tend to be more popular than those with plain or dull appearances.
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Temperament and behaviorFriendly, sociable, and easy-to-handle hamster breeds are generally more popular than aggressive or skittish ones. Moreover, hamsters that are more tolerant of handling and are easier to tame are usually preferred.
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Activity levels and lifestyleThe activity level of a hamster breed also plays a role in its popularity. Breeds that are more active and energetic during the day, such as the Roborovski hamster, are generally preferred over nocturnal breeds like the Syrian hamster, especially for families with kids.
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Ease of careHamster breeds that are low-maintenance and easier to care for are often more popular than those with specific and complicated care requirements. This may include factors like diet, grooming needs, and sensitivity to illnesses or diseases.
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LifespanThe average lifespan of a hamster breed can also influence its popularity. Breeds with longer lifespans tend to be more appealing to pet owners who want to build a long-term bond with their pets.
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Availability and costThe availability of a hamster breed and its cost can affect its popularity. Breeds that are readily available in pet stores and have a reasonable price are generally more popular than rare or expensive breeds.
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Adaptability to different living conditionsHamster breeds that can adapt well to various living conditions such as different cage types, temperatures, and environments are likely to be more popular among pet owners.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular hamster breed. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or hamster is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2196 views
- 207 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each hamster once every 24 hours. The rank of each hamster is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular hamster breed
Hamsters are popular pets around the world, and there are many different breeds to choose from. The most popular breed of hamster is the Syrian hamster, also known as the golden hamster. This breed is known for its friendly and curious nature, and its ability to form strong bonds with its owners. Other popular breeds include the dwarf hamster, which is smaller than the Syrian hamster and comes in several different varieties, including the Russian and Chinese dwarf hamsters. Each breed of hamster has its own unique characteristics and personalities, which can make them great pets for people of all ages. If you're considering getting a hamster, it's important to do your research and choose the breed that best suits your lifestyle and preferences.
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