About Ragdoll Cats

The name "Ragdoll" suits these cats perfectly, because they go limp in the arms of the person who picks them up. People who prefer "talky" or very active cats probably won't be happy with a Ragdoll. But if you're looking for a companion cat that is gentle, laid-back and good with adults and children alike, then this breed may be the perfect choice for you.

Identification

These large, muscular cats are very heavy and have large hindquarters and wide chests. Adult males average 12 to 20 pounds and often larger, and females typically weigh about 10 to 15 pounds. Ragdolls, which mature much slower than other cat breeds, don't complete the growth cycle until they're about 3 years old.
The Ragdoll has a bushy tail and medium-length fur that requires only infrequent grooming because it is mat-resistant. The fur around the cat's neck, or the ruff, is longer and thicker, as is the fur on the rear of the hindquarters, which is sometimes referred to as britches. The coat is so soft that it is often compared to rabbit fur.
This cat's eyes are large, blue and oval-shaped. The profile of the sweet face features an uptilted "ski-slope" nose, and the large, rounded ears are a little forward on the cat's head.

Features

People who think they would like to have a dog in a cat's body should consider having a Ragdoll. These docile, easygoing cats love interacting with people and want to be right in the middle of everything their people are doing. The cats generally don't mind being cradled on their backs in the arms of family members, and are well-known for following people around, much like dogs do. The Ragdoll considers itself to be the household's welcoming committee, and is likely to be the first one to greet guests and try to make them feel at home by being affectionate and offering to share their own toys with them. Although they will quietly voice opinions from time to time, don't expect your Ragdoll to be overly talkative or as vociferous as other cat breeds are.

Types

Although there are three distinct color patterns characterized by Ragdolls, the breed standard requires that all of them be "pointed." The cat's body can be any solid color, with the "points" -- the face, ears, feet and tail -- being a darker shade. All pointed cats, including Ragdolls, Himalayans and Siamese, are solid white when they are born. Their adult colors begin to appear when they are young, develop over time and grow deeper and more intense during adulthood.
"Colorpoint" Ragdolls have no white markings. They have not only the dark points complementing the lighter body color, but the pads of their paws and the nose "leather" color match the color of the points as well.
The "mitted" Ragdolls are just like the colorpoints, except they have white markings. These markings should include white "mitts" on their front paws as well as "boots" on both back feet extending up the legs. There should also be a white chin, tummy strip and ruff.
The "bi-color" Ragdoll's body color forms a saddle across the back, and the ears and tail are dark points. The darker mask on the face features an upside-down "V" that runs between the eyes and engulfs the muzzle. The rest of the coat is white, and the paw pads and nose are pink.

History

The Ragdoll cat breed was created in 1960 by Ann Baker, of California, who bred her white Persian female with a Burmese cat, then added another generation of Burmese to the resulting mix. Although the International Ragdoll Cat Association, or IRCA, which she founded in 1971, no longer exists, the Ragdoll did not go unnoticed. Denny and Laura Dayton are credited with having recognized the potential of the budding breed, and buying an original IRCA breeding pair of Ragdolls. The Daytons continued to breed the Ragdolls selectively for their large size, docile temperament and the uncatlike characteristic of going limp when they are picked up. The lovely coloration is still an important factor within the breed standard.

Considerations

Almost all of the natural survival and self-defense instincts have been bred out of Ragdolls. This makes them highly desirable as gentle, relaxed pets, but this also means that they have no idea of how to defend themselves. They can easily be leash-trained so that they may be taken for walks, but they should be kept strictly as indoor pets.
Although their mat-resistant fur doesn't require a lot of grooming, and they are not heavy shedders, Ragdolls actually relish being groomed. Brushing and combing the cat is an enjoyable bonding experience that should be shared by pet and owner.
The agreeable dispositions of Ragdolls facilitate easy training with the positive use of rewards. They are extremely eager to please their humans, and respond readily to training efforts, such as using scratching posts as opposed to furnishings, if they are simply rewarded with lots of praise and hugs for performing correctly.

Resources

• Ragdoll Organizations and Associations