Welcome to Hamsters in Focus!

The Hamsters in Focus group was founded as a place for dedicated hamster breeders to discuss breeding strategies and techniques, genetics, exhibition standards, judging, showing, and ethics as they relate to the purposeful, goal-directed breeding of both Dwarf and Syrian hamsters. Our premise is that the development of show-worthy animals cannot be achieved without the setting and maintaining of specific and informed breeding goals.

In order to keep this list on topic, posts on basic hamster care, casual breeding, buying, seeking and selling, litter availability and OT issues are not permitted. This list was founded on the principles outlined in the IHANA Code of Care and Breeders Code.

Moderators will reject posts in direct conflict with those codes.

We encourage you to refrain from posting a message the day that you subscribe. Instead, give yourself a chance to read some of the messages and to feel more at ease with the style here. Visit the list archives, and do a search for topics which are of interst to you.

A basic understanding of general genetics and how the topic applies to hamsters is a must for anyone participating on this list. There are a number of online resources which are absolute "must read" information for anyone interested in this topic. We strongly recommend visiting these sites and understanding the material they present.

RRH Syrian Hamster Genetics
Pet Web Site - Hamsters
BHA Standards feature on Hamsters Galore
CHA Newsletter