The origin of the Ragdoll cat breed is often clouded by myth and misconception. Ragdoll cats are big cats; they are easy going, laid back cats with pointed patterns and big blue eyes. Ragdolls are a hybrid cat that was created through careful breeding.
The Ragdoll cat breed was established in the 1960s in Riverside California. The breed is believed to have been developed from a cross of Birman and Persian cats. The first Ragdoll cat was a white female cat named Josephine. It is with Josephine the myths and misconceptions begin. The myth goes that after Josephine was hit by a car she began having remarkable kittens. One account says her owner took Josephine to a government laboratory where she was genetically enhanced. This enhancement in the government lab is why her kittens began showing Ragdoll traits. The kittens were mysteriously non aggressive and had pointed coats. These kittens also displayed the characteristic Ragdoll trait of going limp like a rag doll when picked up. Other Ragdoll myths allege Ragdoll cats feel no pain, will not fight, and can reach a weight of thirty pounds.
There are no facts to support these claims and it is extremely unlikely that the government altered Josephine after her encounter with an automobile. Shortly after the breeds conception it fractured into several groups. The breed’s founder, a woman named Ann Baker started the first Ragdoll registry. This was the International Ragdoll Cat Association. Ann Baker trademarked “Ragdoll” so that any breeder had to pay her royalties for selling the cats. Members of the IRCA were also prohibited from showing their cats at any other associations. Ann Bakers fanaticism caused discontent among many breeders; many left the IRCA to found new Ragdoll associations. After Ann Baker died the IRCA has all but disappeared. Today all the major cat associations recognize and register Ragdoll cats.
Breed Characteristics
Ragdolls are big, muscular cats. They have long bodies with solid bones, a round head, and eyes of vivid blue. Ragdoll cats develop slowly and many do not reach their full weight and size until they are three years old. Male Ragdoll cats weigh in between 15 and 20 pounds. The females are slightly smaller but weigh in between 10 to 15 pounds. Ragdoll cats have coats that are medium in length. They have silky, rabbit like fur that does not tangle or matt. Ragdoll cats come in four main colors: blue, chocolate, lilac, and seal. There are variations of the breed that come in cream and red colors. Ragdolls come with three pattern varieties. These are: colorpoint, mitted, and bi-color.
Breed Temperament
No matter where these cats originated from their popularity has exploded worldwide. Ragdoll cats are wonderful companions with sweet dispositions. The name Ragdoll comes from the fact that they go limp when held. This is more likely due to their trusting and gentle nature rather than Ann Baker’s wild stories of aliens and genetic alteration.
Ragdoll cats are the perfect indoor pet. Ragdolls cats are affectionate but not demanding. They are smart cats and can be trained quite easily. Ragdolls are not chatty cats and rarely speak. Ragdoll cats get along extremely well with other cats, dogs, and children in the household.
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