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.Related Articles Other People Have Read:

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Ragdoll cats get their name from their tendency to go limp when picked up or held. Ragdolls have a sturdy, imposing frame with soft, medium length fur in different shades of brown and gray. Ragdoll cats are very affectionate and friendly.

They easly take to new people and co-exist with other animals, including dogs and children. It could take your Ragdoll four to five years to fully mature; however, adult males weigh anywhere from 12 to 20 pounds and the females weigh 10 to 15 pounds.

Ragdoll cats are one of the least aggressive and calmest breeds of domestic cat and posses a warm, affectionate disposition. Your Ragdoll cat may greet your visitors at the door and follow them around your home like a puppy; in fact the breed has many dog like traits, such as fetching toys and loyalty to their owners.

Because of the Ragdoll’s laid back nature they should be kept as strictly indoor cats as they may not defend themselves from aggressive animals. Their trusting nature could also lead to theft by stranger so always keep your Ragdoll inside. Ragdoll cats are smart and are able to learn tricks easily making the breed a favorite at many cat shows. The large frame tends to make them slightly clumsy; however, they remain playfully energetic; if you’re looking for a large, gentle playful cat, Ragdoll Cats is the breed for you.

Ragdoll Cat Breed Characteristics

Ragdoll cats have short legs, semi-longhair coats with Siamese like markings. They have soft, rabbit like fur with the look of a Persian without all of the shedding and matting. They have medium sized, muscular frames with a broad, flat topped head and medium sized ears pointed frontward. Ragdoll cats have deep blue oblique eyes and bushy tapered tails.

At birth all Ragdoll kittens are white and develop their colors by the age of 10 days; however, they may not show full colors for two or three years. Ragdoll cats come in four colors with three color patterns. Colors are designated by combining coat color and pattern…for example “Seal Colorpoint” or “Chocolate Bicolor.” Here are the basic Ragdoll colors and patterns.

Ragdoll Cat Colors

Seal Point Ragdoll cats have light tan bodies with dark seal brown points. The shade can range from ivory to pale beige and usually lightens at the belly and chest area. The nose leather and paw pads should be seal brown to brownish black and may have rose-colored undertones.

Chocolate Point Ragdoll cats have ivory bodies that also lighten at the belly and chest. The points range from warm milk to bittersweet chocolate with rosy undertones. The nose leather is usually rose-brown and the paw pads are brownish salmon pink. Blue Point. Blue Ragdoll cats appear cold with bluish white to platinum gray fur and no tinge of brown. The points are blue-gray to deep slate and the nose leather and paw pads are dark blue with pink undertones.

Lilac point cats are magnolia white with pink to lavender paw pads. The points are pale dove-gray to warm lavender with the flesh color visible through the fur.

Ragdoll Coat Patterns

Colorpoint ragdoll cats are darker at the points compared to the rest of the body. The point color is usually the same as the paw pads and nose leather. They have no white markings although some pale-haired Ragdolls may appear white.

Mitted Ragdoll cats also have dark points but also have white fur on the paws, rear legs, chin, ruff and stomach. The paw markings are called “mitts,” while the rear legs are called “boots.”

Bi-color Ragdoll cats have an inverted V-shaped marking between the eyes which expands over the muzzle. The cat is also dark at the points with a saddle-like strip on the back and white fur on the rest of the body. The paw pads and nose leather are usually pink.

How Much do Ragdoll Cats Cost?

The price of a Ragdoll cat depends on the color, pattern, gender, breeder, and location. Ragdoll kittens cost from $400 to $750. This excludes purebred and breeder quality cats, which cost at least $1,000. Breeders often go for $2,000 or higher, depending on the color, pattern, lineage, and show prospects.

If you want a show quality Ragdoll for the alter championship class, be ready to pay between $600 to $1,000. Retired show cats and breeders are available at pet homes for a little less, usually for the price of spaying or neutering. It’s important to ask for a health guarantee when buying Ragdoll kittens. A health guarantee assures you that the kitten is free of any diseases, parasites, or inherited defects. If your kitten dies of unknown causes, your breeder will replace it when you present your health guarantee.Related Articles Other People Have Read:

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Many people contact us asking if their cat is a Ragdoll. Here are several tips to help you spot the breed and determine if your cat is a Ragdoll or has Ragdoll characteristics.

Ragdoll cats are a pointed breed with a long coat and are often confused with several other pointed breeds. Ragdolls are often confused with Persians and Himalayans because they have a long coat and similar markings. Persian cats have a round head, round eyes, and a flat, squashed face. Their bodies are short and round while Ragdolls are a large, muscular cat with a long body. Ragdoll cats have a head shaped like a wedge and blue, oval shaped eyes. Persian cats have short tails while Ragdoll cats have a long tail.

Another breed that is often confused with Ragdoll cats is the Birman, or “Sacred Birman.” Birman cats closely resemble mitted Ragdolls cats. The main feature that distinguishes Ragdoll cats from other breeds is their long, muscular body. Birman cats had distinctly round eyes and lack white fur on their chests. Mitted Ragdolls have white boots on their hind feet where Birman cats do not.

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Ragdoll cats get their name from the way they relax and go completely limp when held. There are other Ragdoll characteristics that make this breed so endearing; Ragdoll cats are extremely affectionate, friendly, gentle, and trusting almost to a fault. Ragdoll cats are extremely people orientated and have many dog-like characteristics. Your Ragdoll cat will run to the door when return home, just like a dog. Ragdolls follow their owners from room to room and want to be involved in everything their owners do.

Ragdoll cats are calm and easygoing, yet enjoy playing. Because of their easygoing nature they get along with other pets and children very well. If you already have a dog and want a cat that will get along with your dog, Ragdoll cats are the breed for you.

You should note that Ragdoll cats are exclusively indoor cats and should not be allowed to venture outside. This is due to their trusting nature; if your Ragdoll cat were to be provoked by another animal or an evil child they may not defend themselves; this could result in serious injury. Because of this indoor requirement, Ragdolls are the perfect pet for apartment dwellers.

Ragdoll cats are typically quiet cats. They tend only to be talkative when they are hungry or after a bad experience in the litter box. Ragdolls are the largest breed of domesticated cat; the males can weigh in as much as twenty pounds. Because of their size Ragdolls tend to be a bit clumsy and don’t make good mousers.

Ragdoll cats lack an undercoat; as a result they shed less than other breeds and many Ragdoll owners report fewer problems with pet related allergies. If you are looking for a large, fluffy, and friendly cat, the Ragdoll breed could be the cat for you.

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