Ragdoll breed

Ragdoll breed

Ragdoll breed is relatively young, it appeared in the USA in the erly 1960’s.

Ragdolls are well known for their docile and floppy nature. They are a typical „cuddly toy”. They tend to relax when held because their muscles get flabby and the cats flop in our arms like rag dolls. The breed was named after the floppy fabric doll that sits quietly wherever you put it.

Ragdolls play without extending their claws that is why their owners and children should not be affraid of any scratches. Ragdolls are ideal cats for loving families with small children. Having ragdoll is a good choice even for those who never had cats but always wanted to.

 Ragdoll cats tend to be more interested in humans than other breeds of cats. They are known to run to greet you at the door, follow you from room to room, flop on you, sleep with you, and generally choose to be where you are. Ragdoll is like your private assistant.  They are following their owners around in a fashion similar to a puppy. Many people say that ragdoll cats are more like dogs.

Ragdolls tend to be floor cats, not jumpers. They are playful as kittens but would prefer snuggling up on the sofa or on your duvet than chasing string around the front room or jumping on the sheer curtains.

Ragdolls tend to be great with other domestic animals and children, they are inquisitive and intelligent and genuinely just enjoy company. They are very "people" oriented and love to be around others, which often finds them greeting guests. Because Ragdolls lack the instinct to defend themselves when attacked, they must be kept as indoor pets only. However, they can be easily leash trained so that they can go for walks with you outside. They love sitting on the balconies or gardens (secured with special safety nets) and observing the world around them.

All Ragdolls (despite mink ragdolls) have large, oval, blue eyes. Ragdoll kittens are born all white and slowly develop color. They are slow-maturing, and do not reach full maturity until approximately three years of age. Every profesional breeder is able to recognise future colour and pattern even in the case of a very small kitten. Colour and pattern of the cat became slowly visible in the age of two weeks (but the colour is still very light and difficult to distinguish, especially on cat’s sides).

Ragdoll colours and patterns:

Pointed colours:

Seal – dark brown
Blue - slate grey/ blue

Lilac- lavender grey

Cream- pale cream

Red- orange
Chocolate- milk chocolate or light brown

Coat patterns:

Colourpoint- colour on all the points head, legs and tails and a pale body
Mitted (04) - is the same as the colourpoint with a white chin, white mittens on their feet, white underbelly and a small blaze above the nose can occur.
Bicolor (03)- with a white inverted V blaze on the face, all white legs and white underbelly

Lynx (21)- tabby stripes
Tortie- Because the gene responsible for red is carried on the female (X) chromosome, torties are always female in normal cats. Coat with the characteristic patches of color.

Elżbieta Orłowska
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