Ragdolls are large, laid-back, semi longhaired cats with
captivating blue eyes. The Ragdoll is a pointed breed,
which means that the body is lighter in color than the points
(the face, legs, tail and ears).
The Ragdoll cat is carefully bred
to produce large affectionate animals in three patterns, two
with white (mitted and bi-color) and one with no white
(colorpoint).
The ideal Ragdoll is a well balanced cat, with
no extreme features. Altered males will usually top the scale
at 15-20 pounds; females are proportionately smaller and
usually weigh between 10-15 pounds at maturity.
Ragdolls
are slow-maturing, reaching full coat color at two years, and
full size and weight at four.
Ragdoll cats tend to be more interested in humans than some
breeds of cats. They are known to run to greet you at the door,
follow you from room to room, flop on you, sleep with you,
and generally choose to be where you are. Many Ragdolls
have been taught to come when called and play fetch. They
are gentle cats, and usually play without extending their claws.
Ragdolls tend to be floor cats, not jumpers. The Ragdoll’s semi
long coat is plush and silky, and requires minimal grooming
to keep it looking its best. They should be combed with a steel
comb on a regular basis to find and remove any loose hair or
tangles. Quality coats consist mainly of long, soft guard hairs.
Ragdolls, just like all breeds of cats, will shed, usually with the
change of seasons.The absence of the thick, dense, insulating
undercoats results in reduced shedding and matting. In all,
Ragdolls are well behaved, and easy to care for – perfect for
our modern, busy, lifestyles.
There are four patterns: bi-color, van, mitted and colorpoint.
Patterns come in six colors: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red,
and cream. Points may be solid, lynx, tortie, or torbie (tortie
and lynx). If you do the math, you can see that there are
quite a large number of different combinations possible! CFA
accepts bi-color and van patterns, mitted and colorpoints for
showing in the full array of color combinations.
Colorpoint Ragdolls have the classic pointed markings with
no white anywhere in their coat. Mitteds have white feet in
the front and white boots that go all the way up and around
the hock in the back, a white chin and belly stripe. Mitted
Ragdolls may have a blaze, star or hourglass shaped patch of
white on their forehead and nose. Bi-colors have more white;
all four paws, their underbodies, chest, and an upside-down
‘V’ marking on their faces are white.
Ragdolls were developed in the 1960’s by Ann Baker; a
breeder in Riverside California. The origin of the Ragdoll
breed consisted almost entirely of free-roaming cats. Ann
bred Josephine, a domestic longhaired white female that
was found running loose in her neighborhood, to other
cats she owned or found. The offspring of this female
had unique temperament traits that were very endearing.
By selecting individuals with the look, temperament and
criteria she wanted for her breeding program, she created
the Ragdoll breed.
Pricing on Ragdolls usually depends on type, applicable
markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion
(GC), National Regional winning parentage (NW or RW)
or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title
is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA
grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire
(father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/
premier or DM offspring.
Usually breeders make kittens
available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After
twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and
developed the physical and social stability needed for a
new environment, showing, or being transported by air.
Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying
and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts)
for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of
declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements
for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.
For more information, please contact the Breed Council Secretary for this breed.
Posted by: http://www.cfainc.org/Breeds/BreedsKthruR/Ragdoll.aspx
