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| Ragdoll Cat |
Ragdoll Temperament
Ragdoll cats are:
- Docile.
- Easy to handle.
- Floppy.
- Affectionate.
- Gentle.
- Relaxed.
The Ragdoll is such a floppy cat that some British breeders have attempted to breed out the trait in the Ragdoll. This is because they think it will be in the interest of the Ragdoll breed. The docility and the floppy nature is thought to be attributed to being passed down from the Siamese and Persian breed.
Where does the Ragdoll come from?
The Ragdoll originates from the University of California USA in the 1960’s. Read also: American Longhair Cat Breed Information.
What type of Body does the Ragdoll have i.e. coat, patterns etc?
- Large domesticated cat.
- Sturdy body.
- Large frame.
- Legs are proportionate to the body.
- Fully grown female is 8-15 pounds in weight; males are 12-20 pounds.
- Blue eyes.
- Plush coat with long guard hairs.
- White chins.
- Colours are seal, flame, chocolate, lilac, blue and cream.
- All colours can have the tortoiseshell pattern.
- Ragdoll kittens are born white.
Other patterns can be pointed (colour darkening at the extremities); Mitted (like the pointed Ragdoll but with white paws. They can have a white line or spot on the face and they have a white stripe running from the chin to the Ragdolls genitals as well as a white chin); and the Bicolour Ragdoll (white legs and white inverted ‘V’ on the Ragdolls face. White abdomen and occasionally patches on the back.
Ragdoll cat breed history
A domestic non-pedigreed longhaired white Angora type cat by the name of Josephine was taken to a laboratory in the University of California after a car accident in the 1960s. The next litter that she had, by an unknown Birman or Burmese like male cat, of which ones coloration was Siamese point, were exceptionally friendly kittens.
Ann Baker, an established cat breeder, believed that the university had performed secret government genetic experiments during her time there. Baker said that it made her docile, immune to pain and very relaxed when she was picked up. Mrs Ann Baker bought several of the kittens to create a breed which is known as the Ragdoll.
She selected cats that were large, gentle and those that went limp when picked up with striking pointed colouration. Blackie came from one of the early litters – a black male that was Burmese like along with a seal point with feet that were white called Daddy Warbucks. Fugianna was the founding bi-coloured female sired by Daddy Warbucks and Buckwheat, Burmese-like dark brown/black female was sired by Blackie with Josephine as the mother. Every Ragdoll is a descendant of these Ragdolls. Baker unusually set up her own registry, the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) having trademarked the name ‘Ragdoll’, spurning the traditional cat breeding associations. She imposed severe standards on other breeders who were not permitted to register the Ragdoll with another breed association. However a group wanted mainstream recognition for the Ragdoll in 1975 and developed the Ragdoll standard which is accepted by the major cat registers.
The breed have travelled from America to the UK when a breeding pair of Ragdolls which were followed by 8 more to really establish the Ragdoll breed. It is from the Ragdoll that the Ragamuffin breed originated from, due to the strict breeding restrictions Baker implemented and the name Ragdoll being trademarked. Food the Ragdoll eats? The Ragdoll should have a healthy balanced diet. As a kitten, if their food is changed it needs to be done gradually so mix in a little of the new food with the old food in increasing amounts. They ought to be fed little and often. Ragdolls should always have fresh drinking water but no cow’s milk for Ragdoll kitten as it gives them diarrhoea. Ragdoll food should be varied, dry food, wet food, steamed white fish, raw lean minced beef and occasional tinned fish as a treat – in spring water rather than brine as it has too much salt in it. Read also: Bengal Cat Breed Information.
Is the Ragdoll an indoor or outdoor cat?
The Ragdoll is a cat that should remain indoors for their own safety and because they are quite happy to stay inside with their humans.
Does the Ragdoll have health problem?
The Ragdoll has few health problems. With the correct diet and good exercise the Ragdoll can live up to twenty years. Ragdolls do have sensitive stomachs which can make them vomit frequently if they eat too fast or they have a hairball. For more details and information about ragdoll cat breed, click here.