Ragdolls - by Julia "Ragdolls are large cuddly bean bags of love whose personalities are as big as themselves, I cannot begin to capture on one page what Ragdolls truly are but I hope that the following will be a good start." - Julia Ragdolls can sometimes have a white face blaze "The largest of ALL breeds of domestic cats are Ragdolls, with males weighing 15 -20 lb. In the majority of domestic cats ( Felis Catus ) the average weight of the adult male is 8.6 lb. Neuters and spays are generally heavier "-- Guinness book of Records. Ragdolls are well known for their size and placid natures and are called Ragdolls for their ability to go limp like a childs rag - doll when picked up , a brief description of the ragdolls history may help answer many of the questions that surround this controversial breed of cat. The picture below will give you an idea as to the 'laid back' nature of Ragdolls. Ragdolls can 'flop out' in virtually any position and be comfortable Ragdolls - The Early Years The Late Ann Baker of California is the attributed breed founder of Ragdolls - and it is well documented that the breed began in the 1960's ( the first Ragdolls were registered in the summer of 1965) with a white Persian or Angora type cat named Josephine mated to a Sacred Cat of Burma (Birman type cat ) whose subsequent offspring were then crossed with a sable Burmese type cat. We say (type cat) here because no purebred cats formed the foundation of this breed, with the first Birmans only arriving in the United States in 1959 and very carefully guarded, the chances of a Birman roaming the streets in California are zero but the white spotting factor is abundant in the ferrel cat population and this particular Birman lookalike had a black/brown persian looking brother. It must be remembered also that long haired cats in the sixties were often refered to as persians, although the persian breed is considerably different today. It is generally agreed that Josephine was a free running cat Owned by Mrs Pennels, a neighbour of Ann Baker. Josephines life took a dramatic change after she was involved in an automobile accident. At some point Josephine was hit by a car and she laid by the curb for 2 days before being found and taken to a local university hospital and nursed back to health. This accident imparted upon her kittens (according to Ann Baker ) a high tolerance for pain and the ability to go limp when held. Ann had a gift for the theatrical and this of course is not true, we feel that it must be emphasised that Ragdolls feel pain just like any other cat and DO NOT have a high tolerance for pain, as a defense and survival mechanism some animals are better able to mask their pain, that in no way would reduce it. The following is an excerpt from the definitive guide to Ragdolls. 'At the time Ann Baker had been borrowing one of Josephines older sons to sire progeny in her black persian breeding program. This son had the appearance of a Black /Brown Persian and she named him Blackie, and it was on one of her visits to borrow him that she saw Blackies brother. He had the appearance of a Sacred Cat of Burma, (The Birman breed). Having already established the owners trust , she was also permitted to borrow this cat to mate with her own females . She was most taken with this son of Josephine and named him Raggedy Ann Daddy Warbucks. What Ann clearly states is that Blackie and Daddy Warbucks are both sons of Josephine, but with different sires. In the *irca* booklet ( International ragdoll cat association) which was Ann Bakers own association and not recognized by the major cat associations, it would appear to indicate that Blackies father was a "black cat from the east', that appeared "more Persian than Burmese". During detailed questioning , Ann confirmed that no-one had ever seen the father of Daddy Warbucks and he was the only kitten in that particular litter of Josephine's. This being so, makes it difficult to take the origins of the breed further.' Ragdolls today Ragdolls have come a long way in four decades, due in part to the efforts of early breeders such as Laura and Denny Dayton. The Daytons bred the ragdoll to the point of standardization through an extensive and selective breeding program, they are also responsible for the ragdolls introduction into Europe via the United Kingdom. In the United States ragdolls can be registered with all of the major cat associations. The breed standard presently recognizes ragdolls as pointed blue eyed cats that come in three basic patterns plus Lynx or "tabby.' The Traditional colors were seal (very dark brown to black) Blue (slate grey-blue) Chocolate (chocolate brown, (still debatable as to it's early existence ) and Lilac or frost (soft pinkish -grey, a dilute of Chocolate) More recently accepted colors within the breed standard are Red (an orange look to the points) Cream (soft dilute look of the red) Lynx (some say color some say pattern and better described with a picture:-) The Patterns are as Follows Seal Mitted ragdoll kitten at 16 weeks Mitted Pattern, The legs (except for the feet), ears, mask and tail are a well defined color. A white blaze (broken or evenly matched on each side) on the nose or between the eyes is acceptable. The front feet are to have evenly matched white mittens (toes) . Blue colorpoint adolescent Color Point Pattern, Color points have ears, mask, feet and tail of a darker color. The lighter body color is to be sound to the roots. Seal Bicolor Female Bicolor pattern, the ears mask and tail are defined in color. The mask is to have an inverted white "V" which should be the same on both sides and not extend past the outer opening of the eyes. The chest , stomach and all four legs should be white. The color on the body is to be lighter than the points, with markings of white. Lynx point Ragdolls and Red point (or flame point Ragdolls as they are sometimes refered) and their red gene derivatives ie Cream points, Tortie points and Torbies are the latest to gain acceptance for championship status in the USA. Having been accepted for championship in May of 1998 with TICA (The International Cat Association) they were subsequently accepted by CFA; However, they had already attained championship status in Canada prior to this. To find out a little more about Lynx point or Red point Ragdolls ' click on the link' at the bottom of this page. A young Female Lynx colorpoint Ragdoll Ragdolls Like Puppy Dogs The temperament of ragdolls is very similar to that of puppy dogs, they are devoted, affectionate, out going cats that are known for their fearless nature. Ragdolls are totally non aggressive indoor cats . Although a very large cat, their Meow is so quiet that they cannot always be heard and despite their size they want to be lap cats. Ragdolls are slow to mature and full coat and color is not generally reached until they are two years of age and full size is usually achieved at about four years. New born kittens are born completely white or cream and color does not start to show for about 3 or 4 days. It is quite amazing that in so short a period of time the ragdoll has found itself to be one of the most popular breeds of cats in the world, this says a great deal for these cats. Other attributes Ragdolls are known for their sweet temperament and also the tendency to go limp when picked up and held but this is not the fact with all ragdolls and the RFC ( ragdoll fanciers club) states that this tendency is not mandatory for the breed. A big plus with this breed is the fact that they shed very little, some call them a non shedding cat but low shedding would be a more appropriate description. The fur is also considered rabbit like in its silky, non matting texture. Ragdolls do not suffer with runny eyes as do some breeds and are considered a very hardy animal with no known genetic defects and they are not prone to any specific diseases. They are a peace loving cat who, as adults, are not overly energetic thus making them the ideal apartment cat and well suited to the nineties. Unlike most cats ragdolls love to have their tummies rubbed and will roll over on their backs and enjoy this treat, you will find that the muscle tone of the ragdolls belly is soft and unlike any cat you have felt.. " Windflower " a Blue mitted female Breeder recommended Premium Cat Food. - Order online for Home Delivery Recommended reading; The Definitive Guide to Ragdolls by Lorna Wallace, Robin Pickering and David Pollard . Published by Ragdoll World UK Feline Husbandry, Niels C. Pedersen, DVM, PhD Feline Infectious Diseases, Niels C Pedersen, DVM, Phd Legacy of the Cat by Gloria Stephens (photographs by Tetsu Yamazaki) Chronicle Books The Complete Cat Book by Richard H. Gebhardt (former President CFA) Howell Book House. The Howell Book Of Cat Care by Tim Hawcroft Ragdoll Photo Gallery Go to Main Page Lynx Point Ragdolls Getting a Kitten from Dreamdolls About Me! Ragdoll Pet page - Testimonials The Magical , Mysterious Purr Cat links (including Ragdolls) Red Point Ragdolls Copyright © 1997 - 2008 Dreamdolls. All Rights Reserved. Feel Free To Link To This Page
Ragdolls - by Julia
"Ragdolls are large cuddly bean bags of love whose personalities are as big as themselves, I cannot begin to capture on one page what Ragdolls truly are but I hope that the following will be a good start." - Julia
Ragdolls can sometimes have a white face blaze
"The largest of ALL breeds of domestic cats are Ragdolls, with males weighing 15 -20 lb. In the majority of domestic cats ( Felis Catus ) the average weight of the adult male is 8.6 lb. Neuters and spays are generally heavier "-- Guinness book of Records.
Ragdolls are well known for their size and placid natures and are called Ragdolls for their ability to go limp like a childs rag - doll when picked up , a brief description of the ragdolls history may help answer many of the questions that surround this controversial breed of cat. The picture below will give you an idea as to the 'laid back' nature of Ragdolls.
Ragdolls can 'flop out' in virtually any position and be comfortable
Ragdolls - The Early Years
The Late Ann Baker of California is the attributed breed founder of Ragdolls - and it is well documented that the breed began in the 1960's ( the first Ragdolls were registered in the summer of 1965) with a white Persian or Angora type cat named Josephine mated to a Sacred Cat of Burma (Birman type cat ) whose subsequent offspring were then crossed with a sable Burmese type cat. We say (type cat) here because no purebred cats formed the foundation of this breed, with the first Birmans only arriving in the United States in 1959 and very carefully guarded, the chances of a Birman roaming the streets in California are zero but the white spotting factor is abundant in the ferrel cat population and this particular Birman lookalike had a black/brown persian looking brother. It must be remembered also that long haired cats in the sixties were often refered to as persians, although the persian breed is considerably different today. It is generally agreed that Josephine was a free running cat Owned by Mrs Pennels, a neighbour of Ann Baker. Josephines life took a dramatic change after she was involved in an automobile accident. At some point Josephine was hit by a car and she laid by the curb for 2 days before being found and taken to a local university hospital and nursed back to health. This accident imparted upon her kittens (according to Ann Baker ) a high tolerance for pain and the ability to go limp when held. Ann had a gift for the theatrical and this of course is not true, we feel that it must be emphasised that Ragdolls feel pain just like any other cat and DO NOT have a high tolerance for pain, as a defense and survival mechanism some animals are better able to mask their pain, that in no way would reduce it.
The following is an excerpt from the definitive guide to Ragdolls. 'At the time Ann Baker had been borrowing one of Josephines older sons to sire progeny in her black persian breeding program. This son had the appearance of a Black /Brown Persian and she named him Blackie, and it was on one of her visits to borrow him that she saw Blackies brother. He had the appearance of a Sacred Cat of Burma, (The Birman breed). Having already established the owners trust , she was also permitted to borrow this cat to mate with her own females . She was most taken with this son of Josephine and named him Raggedy Ann Daddy Warbucks. What Ann clearly states is that Blackie and Daddy Warbucks are both sons of Josephine, but with different sires. In the *irca* booklet ( International ragdoll cat association) which was Ann Bakers own association and not recognized by the major cat associations, it would appear to indicate that Blackies father was a "black cat from the east', that appeared "more Persian than Burmese". During detailed questioning , Ann confirmed that no-one had ever seen the father of Daddy Warbucks and he was the only kitten in that particular litter of Josephine's. This being so, makes it difficult to take the origins of the breed further.'
Ragdolls today
Ragdolls have come a long way in four decades, due in part to the efforts of early breeders such as Laura and Denny Dayton. The Daytons bred the ragdoll to the point of standardization through an extensive and selective breeding program, they are also responsible for the ragdolls introduction into Europe via the United Kingdom. In the United States ragdolls can be registered with all of the major cat associations. The breed standard presently recognizes ragdolls as pointed blue eyed cats that come in three basic patterns plus Lynx or "tabby.' The Traditional colors were seal (very dark brown to black) Blue (slate grey-blue) Chocolate (chocolate brown, (still debatable as to it's early existence ) and Lilac or frost (soft pinkish -grey, a dilute of Chocolate) More recently accepted colors within the breed standard are Red (an orange look to the points) Cream (soft dilute look of the red) Lynx (some say color some say pattern and better described with a picture:-)
The Patterns are as Follows
Seal Mitted ragdoll kitten at 16 weeks
Mitted Pattern, The legs (except for the feet), ears, mask and tail are a well defined color. A white blaze (broken or evenly matched on each side) on the nose or between the eyes is acceptable. The front feet are to have evenly matched white mittens (toes) .
Blue colorpoint adolescent
Color Point Pattern, Color points have ears, mask, feet and tail of a darker color. The lighter body color is to be sound to the roots.
Seal Bicolor Female
Bicolor pattern, the ears mask and tail are defined in color. The mask is to have an inverted white "V" which should be the same on both sides and not extend past the outer opening of the eyes. The chest , stomach and all four legs should be white. The color on the body is to be lighter than the points, with markings of white.
Lynx point Ragdolls and Red point (or flame point Ragdolls as they are sometimes refered) and their red gene derivatives ie Cream points, Tortie points and Torbies are the latest to gain acceptance for championship status in the USA. Having been accepted for championship in May of 1998 with TICA (The International Cat Association) they were subsequently accepted by CFA; However, they had already attained championship status in Canada prior to this. To find out a little more about Lynx point or Red point Ragdolls ' click on the link' at the bottom of this page.
A young Female Lynx colorpoint Ragdoll
Ragdolls Like Puppy Dogs
The temperament of ragdolls is very similar to that of puppy dogs, they are devoted, affectionate, out going cats that are known for their fearless nature. Ragdolls are totally non aggressive indoor cats . Although a very large cat, their Meow is so quiet that they cannot always be heard and despite their size they want to be lap cats. Ragdolls are slow to mature and full coat and color is not generally reached until they are two years of age and full size is usually achieved at about four years. New born kittens are born completely white or cream and color does not start to show for about 3 or 4 days. It is quite amazing that in so short a period of time the ragdoll has found itself to be one of the most popular breeds of cats in the world, this says a great deal for these cats.
Other attributes
Ragdolls are known for their sweet temperament and also the tendency to go limp when picked up and held but this is not the fact with all ragdolls and the RFC ( ragdoll fanciers club) states that this tendency is not mandatory for the breed. A big plus with this breed is the fact that they shed very little, some call them a non shedding cat but low shedding would be a more appropriate description. The fur is also considered rabbit like in its silky, non matting texture. Ragdolls do not suffer with runny eyes as do some breeds and are considered a very hardy animal with no known genetic defects and they are not prone to any specific diseases. They are a peace loving cat who, as adults, are not overly energetic thus making them the ideal apartment cat and well suited to the nineties. Unlike most cats ragdolls love to have their tummies rubbed and will roll over on their backs and enjoy this treat, you will find that the muscle tone of the ragdolls belly is soft and unlike any cat you have felt..
" Windflower " a Blue mitted female
Breeder recommended Premium Cat Food. - Order online for Home Delivery
Recommended reading;
The Definitive Guide to Ragdolls by Lorna Wallace, Robin Pickering and David Pollard . Published by Ragdoll World UK
Feline Husbandry, Niels C. Pedersen, DVM, PhD
Feline Infectious Diseases, Niels C Pedersen, DVM, Phd
Legacy of the Cat by Gloria Stephens (photographs by Tetsu Yamazaki) Chronicle Books
The Complete Cat Book by Richard H. Gebhardt (former President CFA) Howell Book House.
The Howell Book Of Cat Care by Tim Hawcroft
Ragdoll Photo Gallery
Go to Main Page
Lynx Point Ragdolls
Getting a Kitten from Dreamdolls
About Me!
The Magical , Mysterious Purr
Cat links (including Ragdolls)
Red Point Ragdolls
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Feel Free To Link To This Page