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Ragdoll
Country of origin
United States
Breed standard
FIFe	: standard
CFA	: standard
TICA	: standard
AACE	: standard
ACFA	: standard
ACF	: standard
CCA	: standard

The Ragdoll is an American cat breed with a medium-length, silky, rabbit-like coat. It is best known for its docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature. Ragdolls have a sturdy body with a large frame, proportionate legs, and a soft coat with Siamese-style points. Adult cats can be 15-20 lbs without being considered obese, and a fatty pad under the abdomen is typical.

The name "Ragdoll"

Ragdolls were first created in the 1960s by Ann Baker, a Persian cat breeder in California. The name "Ragdoll" is derived from Baker's belief that her cat Josephine was genetically manipulated during treatment at the local university, after she was run over by a car, resulting in future Ragdolls being relaxed when picked up, and unable to feel pain.^[1] Today, scientists reject this theory as Ragdoll experiences pain in the same way as any other breed of cat.^[2]

More about History

Some of the original stock consisted of hardy, free-roaming street cats. Ms. Baker created the foundations of the Ragdoll breed by selecting kittens out of Josephine, a semi-feral longhaired white female Persian/Angora type, sired by several unknown male Birman-like or Burmese-like cats, one with Siamese type markings. Out of those early litters came Blackie, an all black Burmese-like male and Daddy Warbucks, a seal point with white feet. Daddy Warbucks sired the founding bi-color female Fugianna, and Blackie sired Buckwheat, a dark brown/black Burmese-like female. Both Fugianna and Buckwheat were daughters of Josephine. All Ragdoll and RagaMuffin cats are descended from Ann Baker's cats through matings of Daddy Warbucks to Fugianna and Buckwheat. By selecting individuals with the look and temperament she wanted for her breeding program, Ann Baker created the standard Ragdoll type.

Baker, in an unusual move, spurned traditional cat breeding associations. She trademarked the name "Ragdoll," set up her own registry—International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA)—and enforced stringent standards on anyone who wanted to breed or sell cats under that name.^[3] The Ragdolls were also not allowed to be registered in other breed associations. In 1975, a group broke rank with IRCA with the aim of gaining mainstream recognition for the Ragdoll. This group, which included Denny and Laura Dayton eventually developed the Ragdoll standard currently accepted by major cat registries. The breed was selectively bred over many years for desirable traits, such as large size, gentle demeanor, and a tendency to go limp when picked up, as well as the striking pointed coloration. In 1994, a second group decided to leave the IRCA and form their own group due to increasingly strict breeding restrictions. This group later established the Ragamuffin breed. Keep in mind at this point that the ragdoll has a name that no one could use until Ann Baker's trademark on "Ragdoll" was not renewed by her in 2005.^[4] Due to how the ragamuffins are bred (every 5th generation with certain other cats including the ragdoll), they are two distinct breeds of cats. Even though ragamuffins are in-bred with ragdolls to keep a similar ragdoll temperament they may show behavior and physical differences.

Weight Range

10-20 lb (4.5-9 kg). Some have been reported as big as 35 pounds. Males have large manes. Large size is one goal of Ragdoll cat breeders. Ragdolls are the second largest domesticated cat breed, second only to the Norwegian Forest Cat.^{[dubious – discuss]}

Temperament

The Ragdoll cat typically has a very gentle and relaxed temperament. When socialized 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, adjust well to children and pets and are sometimes called "puppy-cats" because of their propensity to follow their owners from room to room and meet them at the door. Ragdoll cats are demurely vocal, careful with their claws and teeth when in play, plus forgiving of accidental mistreatment. Because of their non-defensive nature, a Ragdoll should never be allowed outdoors unattended.

Grooming

Ragdolls require light grooming and great nutrition to give them an overall fluffy and healthy appearance. Ragdolls shed minimally. Their coats are easier to manage than many other long-haired breeds with just weekly combing to remove loose hairs and prevent mats. Bathing is rarely needed but well-tolerated, as are nail-clippings and vet visits. Although this is a common stance regarding Ragdoll grooming, Ragdoll cats can and will develop significant matting especially when subjected to dry air and static conditions typical during winter heating seasons.

Varieties

Ragdolls come in 6 different colors - seal, chocolate, flame, and "dilutes" blue, lilac and cream. There are three different patterns: Pointed (nose, ears, tail and paws in the specific colors & no white), Mitted - white paws, chin and tummy, with or without a blaze (a white line on the face), and Bicolor—white tall socks, white inverted 'V' on the face, white tummy and often white patches on the back. Variations include a three-color "tortie-point" (mottled seal or blue with red present) and lynx (striped pattern on tail, face and points) which can be found in all 3 patterns.

A blue colorpoint Ragdoll	A seal point bicolor Ragdoll	A blue cream tortie point Ragdoll	A seal lynx bicolor Ragdoll kitten
Two blue point Ragdoll kittens (8 weeks old)	A lilac colorpoint Ragdoll

Famous Ragdolls

• The presenters of long-running CBBC TV program, Blue Peter, have two Ragdoll cats amongst their team. The first was named "Socks", ostensibly after a viewers' vote. Later the BBC revealed that in fact the voters' first choice had been "Cookie" and the program acquired a second Ragdoll kitten that they named "Cookie." [1]Blue Peter to apologise over cat

• Cy, the short-lived one-eyed kitten, was a Ragdoll cat.

• The Algonquin Hotel in New York City keeps a Ragdoll in its lobby. This tradition of keeping a cat dates to the 1930s; males are named "Hamlet" and females, "Matilda." The current Matilda is an 11-year-old female Ragdoll from Villaroyal Ragdolls who strolls the lobby and sweetly greets guests from her position on the front desk. She was recently named cat of the year at the Westchester Cat Show in Westchester County, New York. Matilda has a signature cocktail in the hotel bar; her likeness is on a children's book and Christmas ornament.

References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008)