The Ragdoll is an American cat breed with a medium-length, silky, rabbit-like coat. It is best known for its docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature.

Ragdoll Cat Origin

Some of the original stock consisted of hardy, free-roaming street cats. Ms. Baker created the foundations of the Ragdoll breed by selecting kittens out of Josephine, a semi-feral longhaired white female Persian/Angora type, sired by several unknown male Birman-like or Burmese-like cats, one with Siamese type markings. Out of those early litters came Blackie, an all black Burmese-like male and Daddy Warbucks, a seal point with white feet. Daddy Warbucks sired the founding bi-color female Fugianna, and Blackie sired Buckwheat, a dark brown/black Burmese-like female. Both Fugianna and Buckwheat were daughters of Josephine. All Ragdoll and RagaMuffin cats are descended from Ann Baker's cats through matings of Daddy Warbucks to Fugianna and Buckwheat. By selecting individuals with the look and temperament she wanted for her breeding program, Ann Baker created the standard Ragdoll type.

Baker, in an unusual move, spurned traditional cat breeding associations. She trademarked the name "Ragdoll," set up her own registry— International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA)—and enforced stringent standards on anyone who wanted to breed or sell cats under that name. The Ragdolls were also not allowed to be registered in other breed associations.

In 1975, a group broke rank with IRCA with the aim of gaining mainstream recognition for the Ragdoll. This group, which included Denny and Laura Dayton eventually developed the Ragdoll standard currently accepted by major cat registries. The breed was selectively bred over many years for desirable traits, such as large size, gentle demeanor, and a tendency to go limp when picked up, as well as the striking pointed coloration.

In 1994, a second group decided to leave the IRCA and form their own group due to increasingly strict breeding restrictions. This group later established the Ragamuffin breed. Because Ann Baker owned the rights to the name "Ragdoll" for her new breed, no offshoot groups could call their cats Ragdolls until Ann Baker's trademark on "Ragdoll" was not renewed in 2005. Over the years, RagaMuffin breeders have chosen to differentiate their cats by selective breeding and occasional outcrossings for desired traits, while maintaining the docile, attentive temperament of the original Ragdoll cats.

Ragdoll Cat - Breed Name Origin

Ragdolls were first created in the 1960s by Ann Baker, a Persian cat breeder in California. The name "Ragdoll" is derived from Baker's belief that her cat Josephine was genetically manipulated during treatment at the local university, after she was run over by a car, resulting in future Ragdolls being relaxed when picked up, and unable to feel pain. Today, scientists reject this theory as Ragdolls experience pain in the same way as any other breed of cat.

Ragdoll Cat Appearence

Ragdolls are large, heavy cats, with broad chests and large hindquarters. They are slow-maturing, and do not reach full maturity until approximately three years of age. Females are smaller than males, weighing about 10-15 pounds on average. Males weigh an average of 12-20 pounds as adults, although some may grow to be larger.

Ragdolls have large, oval, blue eyes and sweet expressions. Their large, rounded ears are set with a slight forward tilt. They have a curved profile with the look of a "ski slope" as it merges to the top of the head. The Ragdolls have broad modified wedge shaped head - best described as a large piece of pie, with the corners rounded.

Ragdoll Cat Colors and Coats

Their medium-long coats and bushy tails have a soft texture that feels like rabbit fur. In general, Ragdolls have longer fur around the neck (a "ruff") and on the back of the hindquarters (sometimes referred to as "britches"). The fur does not tend to mat, and is easily combed. It does, however, require occasional grooming.

Ragdolls are pointed cats. T he Ragdoll comes in seal point, chocolate point, blue point and lilac point although red points, cream points and tabby points are now being bred. The "colorpoints" are exactly that. The "mitted" versions have the color points but have white mittens, white boots and a white blaze on the nose. The "bicolored" has additional white on the stomach, chest and ruff. Genetics means that there are three other patterns: "High Mitted" where the mitts extend up legs; "Mid-High White" which is a Bi-color with additional white in the "saddle" area; and "High White" which is a Bi-color with even greater degree of white, the "saddle" may be absent.

The colorpoint and white spotting genes interact to produce the different patterns. The three recognized patterns for Ragdolls are colorpoint, mitted and bicolor. All Ragdolls are colorpointed and some also have white. Due to the way genes interact, some cats Ragdolls which look identical actually have different genotypes (different genetic make-up).

The Ragdoll Temperament

The Ragdoll cat typically has a very gentle and relaxed temperament. When socialized from birth they are attentive and affectionate members of the family that enjoy and seek out human companionship. Ragdoll cats remain playful throughout their lives, adjust well to children and pets and are sometimes called "puppy-cats" because of their propensity to follow their owners from room to room and meet them at the door. Ragdoll cats are demurely vocal, careful with their claws and teeth when in play, plus forgiving of accidental mistreatment. Because of their non-defensive nature, a Ragdoll should never be allowed outdoors unattended.