History
The Ragdoll breed was developed in California in the 1960s by a woman named Ann Baker. Although clear-cut criteria for defining Ragdolls obviously exists today, the history of this development is all but straightforward, with Baker alternately claiming that the original Ragdoll litter was an immaculate conception, imbued with human/alien hybrid genes and impervious to pain.
She also tried to establish a monopoly on the breed, insisting that all future Ragdoll breeders would pay franchise fees for the privilege. Ultimately, she was unable to maintain rights to exclusivity and the breeding circle subsequently grew larger.
For a more detailed history of the roots of the Ragdoll, see the British Ragdoll Cat Club (TBRCC) website or the Traditional Ragdoll Cat Society (TRCS) website, both of which appear on our links page.
Characteristics
The Ragdoll is a large, lackadaisical cat with semi-long hair and blue eyes. They express three separate patterns of distinctive markings: point, mitted and bi-colour. Colourings range across four traditional groups (lilac, chocolate, seal and blue) but more recently newer colours, like red and tabby, are being explored and introduced. Colouring tends to be darker in colder climates. They are well-known for their laid-back, friendly nature and make wonderful pets.
In terms of stature, the Ragdoll is a solid, long-bodied cat with a long tail for balance and strong bone structure. They can grow quite large - especially the males - and this is often reflected in the big paws noticable in Rag kittens. Breed standard assures a broad, flat forehead that leads down to a medium-length nose. Of course, their most striking feature is their eyes, which can range from deep Sapphire to light China blue. It has been said that this very feature gives them an expression that is like no other cat. Because of a sensitivity to breeding over the years, the Ragdoll is considered to be quite a "balanced" cat, meaning that it tends not to have any extreme breed abnormalities.
"When all is said and done," writes Chris Powell, Assistant Secretary of the British Ragdoll Cat Club, "the vast majority of Ragdoll kittens, as in any other breed, are sold as pets. Those who buy them don't really mind if the ear is set a little high, the nose is a little straight, the eyes aren't the deepest blue or the markings a little off centre. They want the temperament. For this is what the Ragdoll is most famous for...
"Ragdolls have a wonderfully gentle, laid back temperament and their popularity as the ideal house pet, totally devoted to their owners, has become legendary. As kittens, they are full of life and inquisitive. As they mature, they become very loving, trusting cats, who follow their owners everywhere.
"They love human company and are super with children but since the boys grow to be such large cats, often tipping the scales at around 15lbs, children do need to be shown how to hold them correctly by supporting them with both hands.
"Ragdolls have many puppy-like characteristics that are most endearing. They get to know their names and will come when called. They also love to play and any amount of love and affection given to a Ragdoll will be repaid over and over again.
"When introduced to the Ragdoll for the first time, you will be overwhelmed at just how beautiful they are. But the big difference with this breed is that, although the kittens are pretty, soft and fluffy, the adults are STUNNING. They are one of the few breeds that actually get better with age. How a kitten looks when first seen bears no resemblance to how it will look when taken home at 13 weeks. It will look different again at one year old and that same kitten will look even more beautiful at two years old, developing into a magnificent four-year-old adult.
"So what DO you get when you buy a Ragdoll? Certainly NOT a dim-witted creature who sits around all day doing nothing. Certainly NOT the cushion cat it was once portrayed to be but a stunningly beautiful individual with almost a sense of humour all of its own. A cat who will meet you at the door when you
Picture courtesy of RWA Photography.
return home, who will chatter to you when the mood takes them, who will rely on you to give them all the love so that they will be able to return it to you tenfold. Certainly NOT a cat that can be ignored. Just one small word of warning: one is usually not enough! It has been said before: Ragdolls are adddictive!"
- Extracted from an article in 'Our Cats' magazine written by Chris Powell, Assistant Secretary of the British Ragdoll Cat Club (TBRCC)
Ragdoll colouring
Ragdolls are born white and it takes a few weeks for their colour and pattern markings to develop. As mentioned above, there are a variety of Ragdoll colours, both traditional and new. Here at Ragatage Ragdolls, we breed in only two of the traditional colours: seal and blue.
Ragatage kittens will be one of the following six colour/pattern combinations:
- seal colour point - seal mitted -seal bi-colour
- blue colour point - blue mitted - blue bi-colour
Their true colouring won't come in properly until they are one to two years old, when it will reach the deep rich hues evident in our adult breeding cats (see "Our Cats" page). Comparing them with some of the kitten images on the "Gallery" and "Kitten Availability" pages, you will notice a marked difference.
Take Ragatage Enzo ("Hamish"), who went to his new home in the Autumn of 2006, for example - quite a change from eleven weeks to ten months.
A word of advice
Although Ragdolls' coats are said to be non-matting, you should definitely plan some time at least twice a week to groom your pet. They are so easy-going and lovable that the ritual will probably become more of a bonding experience than a chore. If you don't set aside time to groom your Raggie, knots will begin to appear - especially under the front and hind legs and around what are called their neck ruffs (the long tufts of hair surrounding their necks). As a rule, they will tend to look better groomed in the winter months, as with most semi-longhair breeds.
