FInding a fat-tailed gerbil in the UK these days is still a tough challenge.
There are tantilising pictures of them online (go see the duprasi/fat-tailed gerbil Facebook page for examples) and offers of pups fleetingly passing as they are snapped up fast.
Many good breeders hold a wainting list or contact list so you know you have your foot in the door at least rather than constantly having to contact everyone all the time chasing things – and then finding that you missed out by a day. Again.
Nobody who breeds fat-tailed gerbils would want you to go through that – far easier to have you in contact all the time so you know when litters are expected, when they are born, and when a pup has your name on it already!
Finding a Fat-Tailed Gerbil Breeder?
Best thing to do is to firstly write a comment on this post – as we here a RodentZone have a network of duprasi breeders within ear-shot of our calls.
Not only do we have very popular breeders dotted around the country, but we also have contact with small time breeders who we can check on in your area first – to save a long journey. Once we have you on our contact list – we can soon find out who has what near you – or who doesn’t.
Linking up breeders further afield is also a great plan as it eliminates the wait – but at a slightly higher price. Depending on where you are though – this extra cost (a courier is sually about £50 door-to-door) isn’t that much more than driving a round trip of up to 4 hours yourself if you include your time too.
If you live even futher afield – say the South-West or in Scotland (where there aren’t currently many regular breeders) then enlisting a courier is certainly the best option.
What To Expect From Your Fat-Tailed Gerbil Breeder:
Quite often – you just want a fat-tailed gerbil – or duprasi – regardless of who and where it comes from. And sometimes this might be your only option.
However, some breeders will go that bit further offering a waiting or contact list with a duprasi care sheet for you as a first step. Especially useful if you haven’t had a duprasis – or doop – before. Just a few Top Tips for you about enclosures (longer and wider), feeding (hamster/gerbil food plus extra protein) and living together (singles are most common – but pairs and trios are possible).
Many breeders will also respond quickly and fully to your questions – any questions – and make sure you have everything you need to feel comfortable in your purchase. Others may simply take your details and give you the basics.
Some don’t keep waiting lists though – so it can be quite difficult if you go it alone – you will need to do all the chasing yourself.
Many breeders will also give you a free bag of their current food to take with them – so do ask this of yours if they don’t mention it. Fat-Tailed gerbils don’t seem to get an upset tummy though if the food is changed (and many breeders give their duprasi a mixed diet anyway). So don’t worry if you can’t get the same food.
As long as it is a hamster or gerbil muesli-mix – they will be fine. The barely eat anything anyway – so a 700g bag will last a single duprasi months.
Finding A Local Fat-Tailed Gerbil Breeder:
If you want to find your own duprasi – rather than contact us – then make sure you join the few duprasi/fat-tailed gerbil groups and forums so that you can let people know you are looking.
Very rarely – someone is homing a fat-tailed gerbil close to you – either a litter of pups just born or an older duprasi who they can’t keep anymore. These are few and far between though – but at least you are there -actively looking.
Make sure you have got yourself all set up with a large enclosure (Exoterra wide tanks (90x45x45) are great) and you are ready to go – as sometimes one could be ready to go as soon as you are. Having a small animal carrier is also a good idea – so that you can safely transport them in your vehicle – unless you are using a courier – as they often supply one for you.
Make sure you have already decided if you want a single or a pair – as often there aren’t enough doops to go round – so if you reserve a single – then change your mind – there might not be a spare second waiting in the wings.
Speak to your breeder about a pair early on if you are considering it at all. It is far easier to drop from 2 reserved to 1 reserved – not so easy the other way around.
Other Fat-Tailed Gerbil Breeder Articles:
We have other articles on this site that have more details about where most of your breeders are – as well as a bit more about fat-tailed gerbils and their requirements.
Feel free to have a browse:
Firstly: Duprasi Breeders In The UK is a great resource for breeder stocks and locations – updated every month where possible.
Then perhaps any of the following:
Living Together: Can Duprasi Live In Pairs?
Health Issues: Duprasi Health And Common Illnesses
And General Care: Duprasi As Pets – Basic Care Sheet
Happy hunting!
Hello. Thanks for an interesting article. We’ve been looking for a Duprasi for some time but can’t find one. Are there any breeders in Norfolk? Thanks again.
Hello Christopher – and glad you found us.
We are in contact with many breeders across the UK – but none yet in Norfolk – however there is one in Lincs if you are that side and can drive yourself; or am in contact with a different breeder who is further away but who delivers all their own pups for an additional cost (and has just had a litter).
Were you looking for a single or a pair – and would you consider paying the extra to have them delivered to your door?
Anyway – stay in touch and we will get you sorted either way!
Kind regards,
RodentZone
Hello! I am in the U.S. Arizona. I need help finding one of these adorable little creatures. Can you help? TY!!
Hi Norma.
We only have contacts with doop breeders in the New York and Delaware regions – but they can help you arrange couriers no doubt. Not sure of costs on that – but I am sure they can help out as they have a large network of exotics.
I will forward on your details to them and they can make contact and hopefully either arrange something themselves or put you in contact with someone who can.
How does that sound?
Hello. I am a Duprasi owner from Asia looking into ethically breeding them. Is there any possibility I can be connected with a knowledgeable breeder so I can learn the ropes? I’d deeply appreciate it. Thank you!
Absolutely T – we can certainly put you in touch with one of our most popular breeders.
They are always happy to answer questions and learn more – however ‘ethical’ is a subjective thing – so there may still be challenges for your breeding plans in more than just the fact that female doops are just so unpredictable most of the time!
Watch out for an email (may go to spam/junk) and start a chat – and if this breeder isn’t what you were looking for – we could cetainly put you in contact with another.
Thanks for finding us and good luck in your journey. Doops are just the best!
Hi,
Thank you so much. Someone has reached out to me!
I agree doops are the best, which is why I hope to be able to share the love! <3
Hope they can help answer your questions and you can find out more about these little pancakes!
Have fun!
Hi there, I am looking for a breeder in Yorkshire if you know of any.
Many thanks
Emma
Hi Emma – and welcome to the world of doops! Will this be your first???
Perfect timing too as we have a breeder in South Yorkshire who has pups right now – have you got the cage and everything already sorted?
RodentZone Team.
Hi there, thank you for the reply!
No, not out first, little Des died recently, he was very old and I just couldn’t imagine having anything different, they are such amazing pets! We miss him terribly 😔
Cage and everything cleaned and ready to go!
Fantastic – bless him. What age did he reach if you don’t mind us asking – he sounds a wonderful character…
So, we will forward your details on to the breeder and fingers crossed – were you looking for another male or would a female be fine – we think they currently only have females ready to go?
Des would have been 8 on Tuesday! My little boy is devastated.
We actually discussed getting a female this time! My son has already picked a name for her 😁 Talula 🤔
8?
That is virtually unheard of in doops – how amazing! You will have to let our group of breeders know all your secrets – this could be doop-changing for everyone! We will send you an email to you if you don’t mind – Wow!
And Talula – what a great choice!
Hi there,
We were thinking of getting a doop for our daughter. Do you know of any breeders in Dorset or Hampshire?
Thanks very much.
Mike.
Hello Michael – and your daughter is choosing the perfect pet for sure.
Dorset is a bit of a dry patch for doops that we know of – but depending on what part of Dorset (our favourite county ever by the way) you live in – there could be some a short drive away – for example our breeder in Surrey has some pups ready in the next few weeks, and a breeder in South Wales may be due some pups shortly (but they won’t be ready to collect until the new year).
If you are open to a longer drive north, ther may well be some right now in and around the Greater Birmingham area? And one of our breeders from the East Midlands may be travelling down to near Cirencester at the start of December (not confirmed though) so chipping in for the fuel could be something you might consider?
We would love to hear your thoughts so we can get something arranged for you both…
RodentZone Team
Hi there.
I am a busy person and I live alone: I work, come home, have alone time, and repeat. So, I’ve been looking into finding a cute companion that might fit my lifestyle, and needless to say I’ve been enamored by these cute doops. I absolutely cannot find ANY critters remotely close to me… I live in Oregon, United States. There are plenty of Mongolian Gerbils (which are cute, don’t get me wrong!), but my heart is set on a little doop. I know there must be a breeder(s) here, but I’m assuming they don’t advertise online.
Is there any way you can help me? I would appreciate any leads in general, even if it means having to go an extra mile or two.
Thank you so much!
Yes, Syd – we certainly can help out as we know of a breeder in Oregan for sure.
What we can do is forward on your details to them and they can discuss their doops and location and see if doops are the ones for you. How does that sound?
Fingers crossed,
RodentZone
Wow – that would be fantastic! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.
Great.
Hopefully they will be in touch soon and you can get yourself your own little duprasi…
Fingers crossed.
Hi!
Do you know where I can find a breeder near the Seattle, WA area? I’m looking for a male duprasi in particular— but foremost, one coming from a reputable breeder 🙂
Best,
J
Can anyone tell me all the breeders in the US? Im in Illinois looking for a young duprasi male please and thanks.
Hi there! Are there any breeders near Calgary, AB. Canada?
Hello there.
Hello to you in Canada! We currently don’t have any regular breeders listed in the Canada at all – however, we do know a few general exotic breeders who may be able to tip us in the right direction.
We do however know that Tiny Tails Mousary (FL) does a transport route along through North Dakota to Washington State – as the closest cross-border (although I don’t know your current import rules).
We shall send a few messages and see what we find out…