Fancy Cat napping with her new best friend.
The Ragdoll Breed
History
The Ragdoll breed was introduced in the early 1960’s by Ann Baker in California by combining the best of three known breeds – Persians, Bermans, and Burmese – she developed what was to become a new breed known for going limp in your arms like a child’s ragdoll.
Ragdoll Kitten Personality
Ragdolls have been called “the dog of the cat world”. They are not like typically felines that can often be finicky and independent. Rather they prefer to be around people and will follow you around the house and even run to the door when the doorbell rings.
They are very laid back and docile. They do not like to be left alone for over 24 hours so if you are gone from home a lot then a ragdoll kitten/cat is probably not a good choice for you. In fact, Ragdolls are so docile towards humans and other animals that are INDOOR CATS ONLY! They do not possess the natural feline instinct to protect themselves.
Ragdoll Kitten Physical Traits
They are large-boned and are considered semi-longhaired and their fur is soft like a bunny rabbits. Their fur does not matt like most long-haired cats and they do not shed nearly as much as a regular cat.
Ragdolls are large cats and a neutered male can weigh up to 20 pounds and a spayed female up to 12 or more pounds.
Ragdoll Kitten Classifications
Ragdolls are classified as a "pointed cat breed". The Ragdoll breed is separated into patterns and colors. The pattern defines body locations of the the markings and the color defines what color the markings are. A true pure breed Ragdoll kitten will have tufts of fur from their ears and between their paws.
- Colors: Seal, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Flame, Cream, Tortie and Blue/Cream and any of these colors can have the Lynx markings. There are TRADITIONAL and MINK colors:
- Traditional: These kittens are born solid white and their colors come in gradually over several days to weeks and will darken until around 3-4 years of age. Their eyes stay a beautiful blue color and their fur feels much like a bunny rabbits.
- Mink: These kittens are born with color and have a much richer and darker color than the traditionals. Their eyes are a gorgeous aqua color and their fur feels like a lady's mink stole.
- Patterns: There are many patterns in the Ragdoll breed:
- Color Point: have dark well-defined points. Body color is lighter than the points.
- Mitted: have well-defined points, except on the front feet where they have a matched set of snow-white mittens. Hind legs are completely white, but the white should extend no higher than mid-thigh. A white blaze can decorate the nose.
- Bi-Color: have a white mask like an inverted “V” plus white on all four legs, feet, stomach and chest.
- Lynx: have Lynx or "tabby" stripes on the points of the body.
