Origination:
There are several wild and
scientifically impossible myths regarding the origin and development of
the Ragdoll breed. But, we do know a woman named Ann Baker from
California is the attributed Ragdoll breed founder and it is well
documented that this breed began in the early 1960’s, although
the first Ragdoll was not registered until the summer of 1965. Ann
Baker created the Ragdoll breed mating a white Persian to a male Birman
whose subsequent offspring was then crossed with a Burmese.
Temperament:
Ragdolls
are best known for their docile and laid-back temperament. Their
personality is probably its most famous feature and they are perhaps
the gentlest and most easy-going of the breeds. Ragdolls have been
selectively bred over the years for these desirable traits as well as
their large size. Due to their laid-back personality their natural
instinct to fight for their lives is lowered so Ragdolls should be kept
strictly indoors unless they are under complete supervision and on a
leash or harness at all times. They make great family pets, love to be
around people, and are said to have puppy like characteristics such as
greeting you and strangers at the door, following their owner around
and they can even be trained to retrieve toys, roll over, and beg. The
Ragdoll is a very social breed and does need constant companionship.
Physical Characteristics:
Ragdolls
are a large, charming, and a beautiful breed with a sturdy body, broad
chests, and large hindquarters. Altered females on average weigh about
10-15 pounds while males are substantially larger weighing 12-20 pounds
full grown, although some may grow to be larger. They are slow-maturing
cats and do not reach full maturity or weight until approximately 3-4
years of age.
Ragdolls have a soft, silky, semi-long plush coat and lacks the usual
dense undercoat which results in reduced shedding and matting and does
not require as regular a grooming as many other long-haired breeds. The
coat is often described as feeling like rabbit fur. Their eyes are
large, oval, and blue. Their rounded ears are large and set with a
slight forward tilt. They have a curved profile with the look of a
“ski slope” as it merges to the top of the head.
Colors & Patterns:
Traditional Ragdolls are born white and the color comes
in slowly....although you can tell seal and blue anywhere from a few
days to a week...you can't determine chocolate and lilac for 3-4 weeks.
They have very good color by 8-12 weeks but they don't get their full
color for about 2 years.
Ragdolls come in six colors: seal, blue, chocolate,
lilac, red, and cream. All of these colors come in four patterns:
colorpoint, mitted, bicolor, and van. Points may be in solid, lynx,
tortie, or torbie (tortie & lynx).
For more information and samples of these colors and
patterns you can click on the following links:
Ragdoll Fanciers Worldwide
or
Ragdoll International
Mink, Sepia, & Solid Ragdolls also come in all of
these colors and patterns. For more information on Mink, Sepia, or
Solid Ragdolls please click on my Mink & Sepia Ragdoll link.
