Korean Job Discussion Forums

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

Anyone know if it's possible to get a Syrian (or Golden) hamster in Korea? All the ones I've seen so far have been dwarf hamsters or equivalent.

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

If I'm wrong, my ignorance-- but I have two of them; are they not dwarf Syrian hamsters? As for full-size hamsters, that could be a tough find. Possibly bringing them in carry-on baggage might be the only way.

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

Many pet shops don't even know what kind of hamsters they're selling, but what I can tell they are generally of the Chinese or Russian Roborovski varieties. I wouldn't recommend taking any in luggage - apart from being illegal, the stress could kill the hamster.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

You can get the Syrian Golden hamster at Dondaemun pet street. That's the only place I've ever seen them sold. The pet street is across the canal from the t-shirts and luggage shops. It's on the way to the fleamarket....

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

I meant in a small cage, of course. I am not sure if a small number of hamsters as personal pets is illegal, but if you are able to find one in Seoul, all the better. But I'm curious why this particular breed?

Ken:>

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Random comment: there's a pet store across from my apartment that's also a BBQ restaurant. The back half is pets. The front half is meat on a stick. Where they separate out business operations, I've never really wanted to pursue.

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

I'm just a lot more familiar with Syrian hamsters as they're the most common to be found in the UK. From my experience, they're generally the easiest to tame and teach.

jinglejangle · Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Location: Far far far away.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

Just to confirm - I went to Dongdaemon today and found Golden/Syrian hamsters. I only saw them at one shop, which is near the end of the street if you are walking there from Dongdaemon subway station. 10,000 won for one. The shop owner somehow manages to keep many adults together in one small cage, but this is not recommended as they can fight and kill each other. Dwarf hamsters can be kept in groups - provided they are of the same litter - but Golden/Syrian hamsters are happier alone.