The Ragdoll Cat has a soft fur, much like the softness of a bunny. It has semi-long hair, which requires little grooming and are low matting. Some Ragdolls do tend to matt under their arms, so a good brushing once a week is a good idea. Some never really matt at all, except maybe in the bib area which tends to get into their food and water dishes at times.
Ragdoll kittens are born white, reaching their full color at the age of 2-3.
Ragdolls are not all lap cats, which some sites may lead you to think. They do, however generally want to be near you and follow you around the house. Just as we do, they each have their own, special, individual purrsonalities. Some may love to be in a lap, some may love to be carried and some might rather sit next to you on the couch.
Most Ragdolls are very quiet. They have a soft voice for a large cat. However, a few Ragdolls can be quite talkative. I happen to enjoy our conversations together. They make me smile.
Some sites may lead you to believe that Ragdolls do not shed. This is NOT true!! Ragdolls shed. Just like any other cat. Just as our hair falls out and new growth comes in. If you have hair, you will shed. Period. End of story. Kittens do not shed as much as when they have thier adult fur in. We keep lint rollers handy and only wear black on special occasions! Ha!!
Ragdolls are available in the following pointed colors:
Seal point
Blue point
Chocolate point
Lilac point
Red point
Cream point
Tortie point
Ragdolls come in these four patterns:
Color Point
Mitted
Bicolor
Lynx (tabby striping which overlays any other of the patterns)
In the early '60s a woman in Riverside California, by the name of Ann Baker, created the Ragdoll by breeding what was believed to be a white female Persian-type cat named Josephine to Birman and Burmese like cats. This was believed to be the foundation for the Ragdoll, though its beginnings are clouded by controversy and myths.
Baker’s breeding program consisted of a handful of breeders who were contracted under her and she was paid royalty fees for each kitten that was sold. Later Ann’s claims about the breed became strange and she publicized statements how the Ragdoll cats had human genes in them and that they were immune to pain. She suggested the reason the Ragdoll would go limp was due to the momma cat having been hit by a car while pregnant and other far-fetched tales with space aliens and skunks.
The breeders once loyal to her now had doubts and several breeders broke off from Ann Baker and continued breeding Ragdolls.
One thing we can say for sure, even though Baker’s methods may have been questionable, is that she has blessed us with her remarkable achievement, the Ragdoll breed!
The Ragdoll gets it’s name from the way a Ragdoll can be totally relaxed in ones arms, hence feeling limp while held, just like a rag doll toy. The Ragdoll is popular due to its relaxed nature and easy going temperament. They have been referred to as the “gentle giants” in the cat world. A Ragdoll has even held the title as the largest domestic cat in the Book of World Records. Ragdoll males range from around 15-20 pounds while their female counterparts range slightly less at around 10-15 pounds respectively.
The Ragdoll is a very intelligent cat. Many of them love a game of fetch and retrieve with their owners. The Ragdoll knows just how to communicate their needs and if allowed, will walk all over the new, unsuspecting owner!
The most unique Ragdoll has got to be the bicolor as no other breed has the colorpoint pattern overlaid with the white, due to a white spotting gene.
