The Ragdoll

The Ragdoll was first bred by an American breeder named Ann Baker in 1960 in Riverside, California from a Persian/Turkish Angora and a Burmese/Birman cat.

- Dr. Irfan Ahmed

The breed combines the colourpoint gene (causing the distinctive blue eyes) with semi-long hair and the spotting factor. The name Ragdoll comes from the breed’s tendency to go limp and relax when picked up, just like a rag or cloth doll. Ragdoll kittens are, in fact, born white and gradually develop deeper markings with permanent hues as they age. Ragdolls reach full maturity at three to four years of age. The Cat Fanciers Association gave the Ragdoll full recognition as a separate breed in 2000. They are now identified as a distinct feline breed by most registries around the world including the American Cat Fanciers Association and The International Cat Association.

SIZE

The Ragdoll is one of the largest domesticated cat breeds, with a sturdy body, large frame, and proportionate legs. A fully-grown female weighs from 8 to 15 pounds (3.6 to 6.8 kg). Males are substantially larger, ranging from 12 to 20 pounds (5.4 to 9.1 kg) or more. They also have a pad of fat deposit on the belly.

APPEARANCE

The Ragdoll is similar to the Himalayan, which was bred directly from the Persian and Siamese. Ragdolls are large cats, with distinctive sapphirine blue eyes, and a semi-longhair soft and silky coat of fur. They are usually mostly white, with light to dark marks. The Ragdoll breed of cats comes in three coat pattern variationscolourpoint, mitted and bipolar. The Colourpoint Ragdoll carries no white; the Mitted Ragdoll displays some white on chin, front paws, hind legs and on the belly; and the Bicolour Ragdoll displays the typical inverted "V" in the mask, white legs and a white belly. There are many variations of Ragdoll coats, but in general they will have a lighter body combined with a darker face, legs, tail and ears. Ragdolls may be lilac, red, blue, chocolate, cream, or seal.

BREED CHARACTERISTICS