The Ragdoll is a medium longhair breed of cat. They are well known for a docile, easy going disposition and affectionate natures with their owners. They are the most easy going and gentle breed of cat. Ragdoll cats are not aggressive and should not be left outside as they will not defend themselves. Most Ragdoll cats do not hunt.
Ragdoll cats get their name from the way they go entirely limp like a Rag doll when held. These cats have short legs, a sturdy and muscular body, and a thick, silky coat. Ragdoll cats have points similar to a Siamese cat.
The Ragdoll cat breed started in California during the 60s. The first Ragdoll was a mixed breed named Josephine. Ann Baker recognized the characteristics that have made Ragdoll cats famous and started selectively breeding for Josephine’s traits. She was an eccentric woman that went so far as to trademark the name “Ragdoll.” Ann Baker often told wild stories about her cats, stories that they were brought here by aliens and had been genetically altered. Ann Baker was never taken seriously and eventually secluded herself from the Ragdoll community.
Ragdoll cats are bred for a number of traits. These traits include their size, limpness when held, docile nature, and colors. There have been a number of offshoot breeds such as the Ragamuffins. Most of these offshoots are not officially recognized because they are so similar to the Ragdoll breed.
The Ragdoll cat is the largest breed of domestic cat. They have a pointed pattern that comes in three varieties. Ragdolls come with mitted, bi-color, and colorpoint markings. Their coats come in a variety of colors including chocolate, blue, seal, lilac, flame, and lynx. Adult males can weigh up to 20 pounds. The females weigh in between 10 and 15 pounds.
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I love my Flossie ragdoll. She gets so relaxed she literally slides off the sofa when resting! She’s a trip! But, since moving to the country a few months ago, she’s defying those written traits and has taken up hunting. She’s proving to be a sporting breed!
I have has many cats over the years mostly moggies, all of which I loved. I then had 2 British Blues which had lovely personalities. Finally my last and favourite cat Pepe a solid red persian. He was high maintainence with his coat but just loved being groomed so not really a problem. He had the most fabulous temperament I’ve had over 20 cats and loved them all but he really was the cats whiskas, excuse the pun! He died earlier this year and I miss him terribly, however he was 21yrs old so he was my friend and companion for a long time. I have always liked the look and reported nature of a ragdoll they seem gentle like my lad was and he was great with my dogs.
I am not ready yet as my dogs are elderly and would like to wait until I get another pup in the future and thought I would get a kitten at the same time. The most important thing is I will only consider an indoor cat as I can’t have the worry of a cat on the road. I have read that Ragdolls should only be kept indoors but my query is could they come into the back garden with you if supervised. We have a large secluded garden. Any advise would be welcome.
I have a bicolour ragdoll female named Mitzy or for short I call her Mitz, she is declawed as I have antique furniture and she would be an indoor cat anyway. I live on a 7 acre nursey farm that has deer coyotes, racoons etc. So the only time my cat is allowed out is with me, on my cement patio. I have a rancher house so it’s only got three steps to the patio. Next to the patio is lawn and shrubs and flowers, ( if I can keep up with the weeds), she loves to be outside with me while I am either burning refuse in the back yard or cooking on the BBQ. Mitzy is a fantastic cat – I never had a cat before and I am 69 years young. I cut my own lawn and run my own land by myself, and I am in good health and have atleast 3 to 6 deer in my yard all the time. They don’t even get up when I talk to them, they just carry on with there siesta around my fruit trees. Life is great and these cats are a wonderful best pal and will sleep with you, put up with you, watch T.V. with you – you can’t miss getting a ragdoll. I just found a stray ragdoll in my yard a week ago, thought I left my Mitzy outside, which I didn’t but went to pick up this cat and it surprised me – it was’nt Mitzy it was another ragdoll, Mitzy was beside me as I was calling her. Took the stray ragdoll to my Vet this morning, it’s about 7 months old, beautiful as they all are, wonderfuly kind and not biting nature – took me a week to make friends with it and of course feed the starving cat. They are housecats only
My Ragdolls are Simba and Tula. Simba will be 10 in April, and Tula will be 7. They are without question the best pets I’ve ever had. Yes, they are cats, but have many dog like qualities. They greet me at the door when I come home from work, but don’t jump on me! LOL! They love to be with me in ANY room of the house, and that includes the bathroom.
When Simba was a kitten he looked like a raccon, and he loved the shower. He still comes in the bathroom when I take one, but doesn’t like the water anymore. I named Tula after the female lead in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It seemed to fit her. Tula is not as laid back as Simba. In fact, she’s a little skittish, but she’s the most affectionate animal in the world……with me. Simba has the Ragdoll limp down pat, but not Tula, and if Tula hears a sound she is not familar with……..it’s like she’s been shot right out of a cannon! Nothing fazes Simba, and he KNOWS he’s beautiful. I swear the cat poses for me…LOL! If I hear back from anyone who interested, I’ll tell the story about the day a bird got in the house by accident……OMG