The Ragdoll cat has become one of the most popular cat breeds in the world today. Though the origin of the Ragdoll is a little controversial, it is believed to have begun around 1965 with a white Persian and Angora mixed cat called Josephine. Josephine, when pregnant with kittens, from an unknown sire was run over by a car, which fortunately didn't seem to effect any of the kittens. The owner knew these were kittens were special so she bred them very carefully. Josephine along with a Burmese female mated to Daddy Warbucks (Josephine's son) and the kittens from that first litter, became the foundation of the Ragdoll breed. All Ragdolls are direct descendents from Josephine and can be traced back to her.
The Ragdoll is a large, semi-longhaired cat, with gorgeous blue eyes. As the name suggests they are a floppy cat that loves a cuddle and ‘flop – go limp’ when you pick them up. Their coat is said to be non-matting, rabbit like but if you disregard it, knots can appear, especially under the front and hind legs.
Ragdolls have a superbly gentle, laid-back temperament that are totally devoted to their owners. As kittens they are full of life and inquisitive and as they mature they become very loving, trusting cats that follow their owners everywhere. They become puppy-like and even learn to come to their name. They love human company and because of their gentle loving temperament are an indoor cat only. Their trusting nature also shows in the way they let people handle them, you can put a Ragdoll on their back and carry them like a baby, they just loved being cuddled and with you.
Ragdolls are a slow maturing cat. Kittens are born white and their colour starts to come through at around a week old. Ragdolls don’t fully mature until 3 - 4yrs of age.
PLEASE NOTE: It is very important that your Ragdoll is an "Indoor" cat, as they are generally non-aggressive and would not defend themselves against outdoor world. Today you can view many colours in the breed. Currently the main colours in the Ragdoll are Seal, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Red and Cream. They also come in Tortie and Tabby (Lynx) Patterns. Chocolate and Lilac are allot more difficult to acquire.
The Ragdoll patterns are:
Bicolour - white inverted "V" in the facial mask, white legs, feet, ruff and stomach, point coloured ears and tail.
Colourpoint - facial mask, ears, feet, tail and nose. A colourpoint has no white.
Mitted - White in front paws "gloves" and halfway up in back legs. Chin and chest are white and stomach has a white strip. Sometimes a mitted Ragdoll may also have a white blaze/snip on the nose. Cat Articles » Cat Breed Information
Cat Article Author: Wendy Watts Cat Author's Website: http://www.ragdolls.biz
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