When you become a member of the Northern Hamster Club, you may decide you want to Show your hamster/s. Many of our new members start by bringing their hamster along to a Show and entering it into the Pet Class.

Pet Class entries are judged on condition and tameness only. You can bring your hamster along in his/her own cage, but remember to put some moisture containing vegetables in the cage for the day. Entries are taken by the Show Secretary on the day of the Show. The Class is also open to other ‘small ‘n furry’ animals such as Rabbits or Guinea Pigs.

Whilst at the Show one of the Stewards will be able to look at your hamster and advise you whether it can be entered into the main Show.

Entries for the main Show are taken by the Show Secretary prior to the Show. Details of all our Shows can be found on the Northern Hamster Club website – www.northernhamsterclub.com - and are also included in the Monthly Journal received when you become a club member.

All hamsters being shown in the main show must be shown in the appropriate Show Pen. New members are able to hire Show Pens; these are used by the Club so that each hamster is in an identical container ensuring the Judge does not know to whom the hamster belongs. Black pens are used for Syrian and Roborovski Classes and slightly smaller mahogany ones for the Dwarf species (except Roborovski). Dwarf species hamsters are often kept in pairs or colonies so the Club allows up to 2 hamsters in each of the Dwarf Species pens.

Syrian

There are 14 ‘Straight’ Classes for Syrian Hamsters plus a Non-Standard Class for colours not yet recognised by the National Hamster Council, as follows:

Dwarf Species

There are 10 ‘Straight’ Classes for Dwarf Species, covering Standard Colours of Chinese, Winter White, Campbell’s and Roborovski varieties. There is also a Non-Standard mixed Class for all colours not yet recognised by the National Hamster Council, as follows:

Places are awarded in each of the ‘Straight Classes’ – 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Reserve.

Duplicate Classes

Both Syrian and Dwarf Species entrants can also enter these Classes in their relevant section of the Show. The Duplicate Classes are as follows:

Places are awarded in each of the ‘Duplicate Classes’ – 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Reserve.

The final awards presented at each Show are for the Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex Syrian and Dwarf Species hamsters for both adult and junior members.

Exceptional examples of hamsters may be awarded a Certificate of Merit. If a hamster receives 3 Certificates of Merit it may be recognised as a 'Champion'. If a hamster receives 5 Certificates of Merit, it may be recognised as a 'Grand Champion'. Full details are shown on the National Hamster Council site.