Persian Jirds are one of the most wonderfully acrobatic and beautiful of the jirds currently kept as pets in Europe and the UK.
They are rock-hopping, tree-climbing and fleece-snuggling members of the gerbil family – totally different to the majority of ground-dwelling burrow-digging destroyers-of-cardboard that we already know and love.
Persian Jirds are very similar in set up to keeping rats, chinchillas and degus in the fact that they LOVE the larger, tall open fronted enclosures filled with ledges, platforms, hangings nests and fleece bedding. Great for interacting with them – as they are so inquisitive and friendly.
They aren’t so keep on actually being held like rats – but are totally fine sitting on your hand or climbing all over you more likely. They are very adept at the sad “I am starving hungry” trick at a moments’ notice like rats and chinchillas. They hoard though, so can play this trick all day.
There aren’t many breeders of Persian Jirds in the UK though – so you will need to get yourself on a waiting list – but they are certainly about.
If you want to get yourself some of these little gems – the following breeders are known and currently both have pups available:
East Midlands: SOLD OUT for 2020 – (duprasi available too)
Cheshire Area: SOLD OUT for 2020 – unrelated litters (Shaw’s jirds available too)
West Midlands: Several 2020 pups available – unrelated litters
Sussex: Starting Breeding next season (2021) – (Syrian hamsters available too)
(Updated December 2020)
There are more breeders coming into contact with us as time progresses, so hopefully if you are intersted in getting yourself a colony of Persian Jirds for next season – you will be albe to find a breeder near you with plenty of stock!
Please can you help me source a jird? Im desparate to get one. Love them to bits. Have emailed the site a couple of times but not heard back. Mine passed away in January and I miss him so much. Ive been keeping rodents for years and would so welcome a loving home to a new jird (boy if poss).
Please could you let me know if you can get me one? would be most grateful.
Judith Mutz
Hey Judith.
Apologies for the missed emails – I will check my notification settings for that. How strange.
Anyway – I know plenty of jird people who may be able to help you find your new furry friend – so I will email you right now…
RodentZone
Hi do you know of any breeders in the UK area?
Hi, I am just wondering if you know of any Persian Jird’s available in the South East or London area.
Unfortunately the last of my Jirds passed away last year and my daughter would like to get some more.
Thanks
How
Hello there, and sorry to hear about your jirds. Always a shame to lose a much-loved pet…
Unfortunately, we only currently know of Persian Jirds right now in Linconlnshire, Nottinghamshire and Cheshire – a bit too far away for you really – unless you are prepared to travel?
Do let us know though, as we could try contacting a few more people?
Kind regards,
RodentZone
Where in Nottinghamshire?
Hi Daniel.
Are you looking for Persians right now – as our contact in Nottingham doesn’t have any right now – they have sold all of this seasons already.
There may be some still with a breeder farther afield – are you happy to use a courier to get them – or would you rather wait until next Spring?
RodentZone
Fantastic Site full of great information. It’s easy to think you’re an expert after many rodents and much time, but there’s always more to learn out there! I learned lots of useful tips about Shroomi, our Doop, especially her diet and we’ll be trying a few new things over the coming weeks. Loving the cat kibble idea! 😀
You’ve also totally sold me on looking into Persians … to go with the horde of the Doop, Syrian, 2 dwarves, 3 Robos [sadly separated now :’-( ] and 4 gerbils! They look like fantastic pets. I love the idea of them running loose in safe areas. We only let our Syrian wander round because it’s easier to make-safe a large area for someone her size.
We’ll get on the look-out for ethical breeders up north 🙂
Yes, Alex, the Persians ARE amazing – and basically they get the run of the room (always supervised) for an hour of so – they really enjoy it (although always wear slippers or shoes and they seem to always bite your feet?).
They are easy to catch too – even though they don’t really like to be handled – and we never have any trouble getting them back in their homes.
We’re glad you might be a Persian convert!
I am looking to find a pair of Persian jirds and would love the details of some Breeders. I am in Brighton but happy to travel
Thanks for any help
Hello Sharon.
Persian Jirds are certainly quite a catch these days – have you had any jirds before?
We only currently know 4 breeders of Persian Jirds in the UK; 3 of which we are in regular contact with being in the Midlands – all of which currently have pups I believe. There is another in the Hamspshire area who doesn’t appear to be very communicative recently so may no longer be breeding.
Are you looking for a breeding pair yourself or two same sex for great pets? And how far are you willing to travel – and would you consider a courier?
Thanks for clarifying the above so we can pin things down.
RodentZone
Hi there,
Also in Brighton. Were you successful?
Hi,
I’ve been looking for a Persian jird for a long time now, would you be able to help me find one down south of England.
Any help would be brilliant.
thank you.
Hello Brendn – and my what great taste in rodents you have!!!
Are you willing to courier – as the only breeder I know right now with pups is not in the South – however, there will potentially be a breeder with pups when next season begins in Sprin 2021 – and you could clock yourself at the top of their waiting list for if they are succesful?
Persian jirds only breed from March-Sept in the UK – so unless there are any older jirds around independantly – they are very slim pickings.
We know many breeders further north who will have litters again in 2021 themselves – so perhaps join the ‘Persian Jird People’ Facebook group to get in contact with all the breeders we know – or let me know a bit more about what you want and we can help steer you in the right direction?
Thumbs up for Persians!!!!
Hi
I’ve been searching for another Persian jird for YEARS without any luck -your posts certainly gives me hope!!
Can you pls help me find a breeder nearest north as I don’t use FB, I live in Cheshire but willing to travel if needed
Thank you
We know just the person for you. But I don’t think they will have any pups until next season now which is several months away.
You say ‘another jird’ – so does this mean you already have one and you are looking for a friend – or you want a new pair or trio (they don’t usually live alone). And would you be looking for males or female Persian Jirds too?
How very exciting!!!!
Great news! Can you send the details via email? 🙂
Yes, I’m looking for a pair (M or F ss) as I know they prefer company. I had mine many years ago and he was the last of his litter. I was unable to find another to introduce but we made up for it by spending lots of time with him outside his enclosure -he bonded with me very closely & lived a long happy life
Thanks!
Lovely to hear you already had a well loved Persian in the bag!
We will contact the breeder again to double check their stock levels – just incase – and get back to you.
Kind regards,
RodentZone
I am located in North Carolina and looking for a Jird for my daughter…Do you know or have connections?
Thanks 😊
Donny
Hello Donny.
We are contacting a few of our known exotic breeders – and will update as soon as we hear anything.
Are you looking for a specific type of jird (bushy-tailed – shaw’s – persian) or ANY type of jirds at all?
Looking for a fun playful Lil pup…
Hi there,
I have exhausted the internet trying to find somewhere I can buy some shaws jirds. We have had several trios over the years, with my dear Boromir passing away a couple of years ago. Unfortunately the pet shop I bought them from no longer sells them. Is there anywhere/a breeder in the UK I buy some from? Preferably multiple as I know they are social creatures. Ideally a breeder in the South West (Somerset, Devon, Dorset) or Sussex/Surrey area however I am prepared to travel to an extent.
Thankyou,
I’d really appreciate a response and any help!
Hey again.
Perhaps if you join the UK Exotic Rodent UK Group on FB – you might be able to make contact with a breeder more local to you? There are a few dotted around – but not sure any with images of pups are close to you.
If you need help sorting a courier – we can help.
Hi there do u know of any Persian Jirds for sale in lincolnshire please?
Hello Hayley.
We do have a Persian Jird breeder in Lincolnshire – but we don’t think they have currently got any unreserved pups this season so far – but that isn’t to say they won’t have some next year that could be reserved.
Were you looking for Persians immediately – as there may be some available elsewhere in the country that could be couriered to you (usually for an additional £50-£60).
Let us know your thoughts.
hello, Cheshire based and wanting to get some expert advice on owning Persian Jirds before we take the plunge. Is it possible to be put in contact with someone we can ask lots of silly questions to before putting ourselves on a waiting list? I’ve requested to join the fb page. thank you 😊
Apologies for the delay in replying – but we see you are already on the Rare Jirds FB page – and have got some great answers.
Persians are so much better than rats for my style of rodent-keeping – they hold their own ground intelligence-wise and are very happy to be their own characters rather then being soppy for cuddles. There are often Persian jirds entered in the gerbils shows as part of the larger rodent and rabbit shows across the UK – with the next big one being in Doncaster the first week of February. There were several Persians, Shaw’s, Bushy-tailed, Tristram’s, Wagner’s and duprasis at the October show in Newark this year – so hopefully a similar turn out in early 2024.
Apologies again for the late reply (due to illness sadly) and hopefully you are discovering more about these delightfully elegant (and long-lived) jirds.
Kind regards,
RodentZone