In this article, I will give a brief overview of the Ragdoll Cat & Kitten for the benefit of animal-lovers considering buying and/or breeding this remarkable animal.
HistoryThe original Ragdoll Cat Breeder was Anne Barker who created the breed in the 1960's and they were brought worldwide attention by Denny and Laura Dayton. Anne bred Ragdolls from predominately Persian and Burmese breeds that had desirable traits such as a large size, a placid demeanour and a fondness of being around humans.
Physical DescriptionAlthough they are large compared to other breeds (males are between 12-20lbs and females are between 10-15lb, on average), they are very gentle beings and are generally happy to be picked up by people. They have a muscular body with short legs, however because they are docile, they should not be left outside for prolonged periods - or at all - as they will not defend themselves if attacked. For this reason, Ragdoll Cat breeders will tell you it is very much an "indoor" cat. Ragdoll's have large blue eyes and rounded ears that tilt forward slightly.
CoatThe Ragdoll Cat is a medium-longhaired cat that are categorised into one of the following colors:
Seal - Fawn and dark brown
Chocolate - Ivory and chocolate brown
Blue - Pale gray and dark gray
Lilac - Frosty white and pinkish gray
They also have different patterns on their fur that Ragdoll cat breeders split into the following categories:
Colorpoint - Dark colored feet, ears, tail and face with a lighter body color and no white markings.
Mitted - Similar to a colorpoint but with white paws, chin, stomach and ruff.
Bi-color - Dark points on the ears and tail and light between the eyes. Dark points also on the back with a pink nose and pawpads.
Although it has a soft medium-long coat, a Ragdoll Cat will not require to be groomed constantly and it's fur will not matt or shed to excess.
PersonalityAs previously mentioned, Ragdoll Cats are sociable creatures so you must be able to give them attention and not leave them alone for long periods. They are also quiet and not particularly active. They make a loving companion that is easy to train and will got along with other cats.
SummaryI hope you now understand a little more about Ragdoll Cats and if you decide that the Ragdoll is right for you, you will discover it can be a highly rewarding experience.
If you want to know more about Ragdoll Cats, I can highly recommend
The Complete Ragdoll Cat Keepers Handbook by Drew Pilton. In it you will discover a plethora of "trade secrets" for looking after this amazing breed including training your Ragdoll, feeding your Ragdoll, understanding it's body language and professional grooming techniques. Written by Ragdoll experts, this book is essential reading for all serious Ragdoll cat and kitten breeders.
