Exhibiting Hamsters
According to the National Hamster Council rulse, judges look for, above all, a hamster of good size with a broad, rounded skull on a large head and with a short, blunt unratlike face. The eyes should be bold, large, prominent, and set well apart. The ears should be large, set well apart, and upstanding when the hamster is awake. The fur should be soft, short and dense, except in the case of long-haired hamsters. In the long-haired variety, the fur should be long, soft and fine in texture.
STANDARDS
Judging these days is done on the points system, as follows:
Color and Markings: 40 Points
Type: 20 Points
Fur: 15 Points
Size: 10 Points
Condition: 10 Points
Eyes and ears: 5 Points
Total: 100 Points
General Body Type
The whole body shall be cobby and broad. The head to be well set, short nosed and unratlike. The fur shall be soft, dense and short, with good belly fur. Size of the hamster to be as large as possible without being fat, making allowance for the sex (females being generally larger).
Condition
The animal shall be in a fit condition, alert and easy to handle. The body to be firm with no surpluse fat. The coat to be clean, unsoiled and shiny.
Eyes and Ears
Both eyes and ears should be large, prominent and set well apart.
Penalties
Disease-- disqualification
Excess fat-- minus 15 points
Sores, wounds or scars-- minus 10 points maximum
Hamsters shown in dirty or stained pens-- minus 10 points maximum
