Choosing a champion gerbil

BEDFORD -- Shut away in a back room of the Bedford Plaza last Saturday, Libby Hanna and three other women in white lab coats carefully handled small plastic containers, peering inside from all angles.

Signs hung on the partially closed doors read "Do not enter -- Judging in progress." The eerie silence inside those doors was in stark contrast to the commotion outside.

The women were all business -- as well they should be. They were holding far more than wood chips and fur, and their careful study would come down to one gerbil that could outshine the competition and be named "Best in Show."

That's right -- gerbils.

The American Gerbil Society held its sixth annual New England Gerbil Show last Saturday, drawing some 200 gerbil enthusiasts and breeders. It was the first time the show was held in Bedford, and the response was overwhelming compared with years past, organizers said.

"Bedford seems to be a hot spot for gerbil activity," said Hanna, a Bedford resident who not only assisted in judging, but was also a co-organizer of the event. Hanna is owner of Shawsheen River Gerbils of Bedford, and has placed more than 200 gerbils in homes since 2002. She is one of six registered gerbil breeders in the state, and takes pride in the rodent's growing popularity.

"It doesn't get better than this," she said, scanning the small conference room as children carrying tanks containing gerbils entered their pets in such contests as "Cutest Face" and "Fastest Chewer." Curiosity seekers also made their way through the vendors, who were peddling gerbil toys, gerbil houses, and -- of course -- gerbils.

A spotted male nutmeg named Storybooks Flair owned and bred by Christine Stys of Atkinson, N.H., won the top honors, and "Best Opposite Sex" was taken home by a Siamese female called ABC's Fantasia, who is owned and bred by Donna Anastasi, president of the society in Hollis, N.H.

"Just to let you know," Hanna said in an interview after the show, "ABC's Fantasia is the daughter of last year's Best Opposite Sex winner, so we have quite a dynasty going here. Quite a dynasty."

Christina Vrba of New Milford, Conn., traveled to Bedford to show proper care of gerbils and explain just what is entailed in showing and breeding.

Owner of Autumnglory Gerbils, Vrba has a pair of "breeders" and a litter of seven pups that have their genetic line meticulously traced back over generations.

"I like to interact with gerbils on their terms," she told one little boy who peered into the tank. "I have an agreement with my gerbils. I will let you come to me and I will not reach in and grab you."

In the world of professional "gerbling," judges gauge temperament, health, vitality, color, and confirmation of the ancestry.

Much like dog show judges, gerbil judges look for points on the nose and ears, make sure that the tail is at the proper length and look for a husky male or an athletic female.

The classes include spotted, color, pied, white bellies, juvenile, and senior.

Alex Pergament, 16, of Newton said "the industry standard" for sale is usually $10 a pair, or $6 for an individual gerbil. Pergament, who also worked as the judge of the "Pet Class," said his interest as a child led to breeding and eventually showing and judging.

"Gerbils are ideal for kids who are 10 or 11, not quite old enough to take on the responsibility of a dog or a cat," he said. "I think they're growing in popularity because they are great pocket pets, always awake and always curious."

The American Gerbil Society was founded in 1999 and incorporated in 2001. Shows have been held across New England and the Midwest.

The society's website, agsgerbils.org, has been translated to Spanish and Portugese and has users in Argentina and Brazil.

Mother-daughter team Judi and Emily Poirier of Wayland have shown gerbils for four years.

Like most competitive animal showing, gerbils are awarded points when they place in shows.

When a gerbil garners eight points, it is awarded the "champion" title.

Because most gerbils only live three or four years, the Poiriers have traveled to New Jersey and Missouri to win points for their gerbils.

"It's a great family activity," said Judi Poirier. "It's not expensive, and the kids have a grand time. It's a perfect family hobby."