Dwarf Losing Fur

Question
I just got a dwarf hamster for the first time about a month ago.  I asked the pet store what kind he was, but they seemed to have no clue.  (That's what I get for buying a hamster at Petco.)

Anyhow, I noticed in his wheel that he has been losing a little bit of fur.  It's stuck all around the edges, because he has decided the wheel is a great place to urinate and deficate, and he sleeps in his wheel sometimes as well.

However, I have also noticed that he is starting to turn white in some areas.  It's kind of subtle, but noticeable.  It's around the area between his eyes, and along the dark stripe along his dorsal side.

So, could it be that he is losing fur because he sleeps in his own urine?  (I wash out the wheel daily, but it's hard to keep up with my hamster, Socks).  Or could it be that maybe he's a Winter White Russian?  Do Winter Whites typically shed a bit of their coats before they are about to change?

The daylight hours have been getting shorter here in majestic New England, so I'm just very curious at this point, because I heard it was rare to find a winter white dwarf in regular pet stores.

Thank you in advance, and I'm sorry for all the questions!

Answer
Hi Sara,

You may in fact have a Winter White Dwarf (instead of the more common Campbell's Dwarf).  Here's a link to a picture:

http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/dwarf_winter_white_russian_hamsters.htm

Winter White Dwarfs don't tend to shed their fur in the winter, though their coats typically turn white (especially in the colder climates - I had a Winter White hamster who never turned white during winter here in Alabama).  Their coats are quite thick, however, so a little fur loss is normal.  (They just don't shed the way a cat or dog sheds.)  Check your hamster's skin for signs of mites - small black specks running through the fur - or red, irritated skin.  If your hamster shows no sign of mites or irritation, then a little fur loss is normal and nothing to worry about.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask :)

Kelly