Ragdoll Cat History
The
Ragdoll cat typically has a gentle and relaxed temperament. When
socialized correctly from birth they are attentive and affectionate
members of the family that enjoy and seek out human companionship.
Ragdoll
cats remain playful throughout their lives and are often follow their
owners around and meet them at the door. They are an intelligent breed
and easily learn tricks like Fetch or Beg.
Because
of their non-defensive nature, a Ragdoll should never be allowed
outdoors! They are not streetwise and probably wouldn't survive if left
to wander outdoors.
Ragdolls are NOT impervious to pain.
Neutered
males are larger then the females and often more laid back but when
neutered there isn't much difference so when picking a kitten it's the
personality which is most important and not the sex of the kitten.
Neutered cats don't usually spray but unneutered males and females will more than likely spray to mark their territory.
The History
The
Ragdoll cat was created in the 1960's in the USA by Ann Baker, a quirky
experimental Persian breeder who lived in Riverside California. She
developed a friendship with her neighbour Mrs. Pennels who fed and
cared for a colony of free roaming, semi-feral cats who lived on her
land.
Ann used to borrow a cat from her
neighbour, he was a black Persian like male named Blackie his father
was unknown but his mother was Josephine, a non-pedigree white
Angora/Persian type female, with an uncertain disposition, she had
produced a number of wild kittens very much like herself.
Josephine
was said to have been hit by a car and stayed in the street for a few
days until being found and was taken to the local university and nursed
back to health. After the accident and being cared for by humans it was
thought she became more relaxed and friendly and Ann noticed a difference in her future kittens, they had a wonderful nature, a non
fighting disposition, were a huge size and they were also thought to be
impervious to pain.
Ann became
interested in the relaxed and sweet nature of the kittens and so
selectively started to line breed with 3 of Josephine's offspring
One
of which she saw when she went to borrow Blackie, he was Blackie's half
brother sired by another unknown father, she described him as being
most impressive and said to resemble a Birman cat with white mittens, a
white chin and chest, a nose blaze and tail tip, this is the look Ann
wanted to breed so she borrowed him too and called him Raggedy Ann
Daddy Warbucks.
Another was a daughter of Blackie and Josephine named Buckwheat a black solid female similar to a Burmese but thick furred.
Ann
was then given another one of Josephines daughters this time sired by
Daddy warbucks, her name was Raggedy Ann Fugianna who was a bi-colour.
Buckwheat
mated to Daddy Warbucks produced the first colourpointed Ragdoll-
Raggedy Ann Tiki who was said to be a chocolate female. In the same
litter was a seal mitted male- Raggedy Anne Kyoto, also a black solid
male- Gueber and a solid black and white male- Mitts.
By
selecting cats with the look and temperament she wanted for her
breeding programme, Ann created the standard Ragdoll type. This breed
was selectively bred over many years for desirable traits, such as the
large size, gentle nature and a tendency to go limp when picked up,
they are known best for their unique temperament.
The
cats mentioned above were the foundation cats of the breed we know
today as the Ragdoll. They were compared to other breeds such as
Birmans and Burmese but it is not possible to take the origins of the
Ragdoll further as Josephine and the fathers were semi-feral cats and
so their parentage was unknown.
Sadly Josephine was put to sleep after attacking a neighbours dog when defending her kittens.
Denny
and Laura Dayton from the Blossom Time cattery were one of the first
breeders to aquire Ann's Ragdolls for breeding in the late 60's and are
credited with bringing the Ragdoll breed to worldwide recognition by
various cat registration organizations.
Colours & Patterns of the Ragdoll
The 4 original colours of the Ragdoll are as follows:
SEAL-deep brown to black
, CHOCOLATE-light brown
BLUE-slate grey
LILAC- pale blue with a pink tinge
Chocolate and Lilac being very rare)
The
2 newer colours of the Ragdoll are RED which appears orange and dilute
CREAM which appears a paler orange. Along with the Tabby pattern they
are known as new colours because they are the newest colours to be
accepted also because they were bred into the breed after the 4
original colours were first established.
Ragdolls
can be either solid pointed, tortie pointed, tabby pointed or
tortie-tabby pointed which may be transposed over each of the three
patterns- colourpointed, mitted and bi-colour.
Traditional coloured Ragdolls with original pedigree lines can only ever be solid pointed.
The Type of the Ragdoll Cat
A medium to large imposing cat with a semi long silky coat- which requires light grooming.
A broad head with a flat plane, well developed cheeks with a rounded well developed muzzle and firm chin with level bite.
Ears medium in size and set wide apart tilted slightly forward.
The nose should be medium in length with a gentle dip and slightly retrousse at the tip.
They have stunning large eyes ranging from a cool pale blue to a deep sapphire colour.
The body is heavy set with a broad chest with the legs being medium in length, paws are large and tufted.
They
are striking in appearance and when mature most Ragdolls have a neck
ruff and knickerbockers on their hind legs and a long plumed tail.
They can take 4 years to reach full maturity, a slow developing breed which becomes more beautiful with age.
Ragdolls should be pampurred and don't they know it!
