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 8-15 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 or Pointed Ragdolls (cscs) 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. Ragdolls have very good color by 8-12 weeks but they don't get their full color for about 2 years. All Traditional Ragdolls have blue eyes.

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