The Ragdoll is a breed whose origins are surrounded by controversy and tall tales. According to various stories, the foundation cat, Josephine, produced unremarkable kittens until she was struck by a car in the early 1960s. After her recovery, all of her subsequent litters produced kittens that displayed Ragdoll characteristics: large size, non-matting fur, the tendency to relax in a person’s arms like a child’s rag doll (hence the name), and serene dispositions. Also rumored was the kittens’ insensitivity to pain (which, according to breeders, is not true). Another story holds that Josephine was taken to a laboratory after her car accident, where she was genetically altered as part of a secret government experiment, resulting in genetic changes. While these are amusing stories, no scientific evidence exists to support any of these claims, and, in fact, geneticists say that this type of genetic alteration did not exist in the 1960s.
Other breeders claim that Josephine was bred to a seal Birman male who in turn was bred to a sable Burmese female. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of this, either. The Ragdoll’s white spotting gene is definitely not the same as in the Birman breed, according to TICA’s genetics committee chairperson, Dr. Solveig Pflueger, M.D., Ph.D.
The Ragdolls of America Group (a group formed to gain acceptance for the Ragdoll in the Cat Fanciers’ Association) says that Josephine was a feral white Turkish Angora-type cat that resided on the property of a Mrs. Pennels in Riverside, California. After her car accident, Josephine mated with a feral black and white mitted longhaired tom and produced a solid black male kitten named Daddy Warbucks and a seal pointed bicolor female named Fugianna. Another litter followed, sired by a solid brown longhaired tom. This tryst produced a seal point female named Tiki and a black- and white-mitted male named Buckwheat. The breed’s founder, the late Ann Baker, came into possession of these cats, and all subsequent generations can be traced back to them. After years of selective breeding, the Ragdoll developed into the breed we know today. This seems to be the most credible story for the breed’s creation; however, this lineage cannot be confirmed with certainty, since the trysts between these feral cats were not documented.
Ann Baker created her own registry for Ragdolls in 1971 called the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA). She also franchised and trademarked the Ragdoll name. Although all contemporary Ragdolls are descendants from Baker’s original stock, several factions of breeders exist and not all are members of IRCA. The breeders who wanted to gain recognition for the Ragdoll with the traditional registries split from Baker’s group and formed the Ragdoll Fanciers’ Club. These breeders, among others, advanced non-IRCA Ragdolls to Championship status with every association except the CFA, who belatedly accepted the Ragdoll for registration in February, 1993. The CFA currently accepts the Ragdoll in the Miscellaneous class. This means the cats can be registered and exhibited but cannot compete for Championship.
Personality
Docile, mild-mannered, and congenial, Rag-dolls make ideal indoor companions.
One of the nicest features of these cats is their laid-back, sweet
personality. They are playful but are not overactive. Known to adapt easily to
their environment, Ragdolls get along well with children and adults, as well
as cats and dogs. They are easily trained to stay off the counter and are
affectionate without being overly demanding. They have soft, polite voices,
even at dinnertime, even though they are renowned for their enthusiasm for
food.
Conformation
The Ragdoll comes in the four traditional pointed colors: seal, chocolate,
blue and lilac; and three divisions: solid or colorpoint, particolor mitted,
and particolor bicolor. Solid division Ragdolls have darker, well-defined
points. Body color is a shade lighter than point color, and soft shadings of
color are allowed on the body. No white patches are allowed. Mitted Ragdolls
possess well-defined points, except on the feet where they have a matched set
of white mittens. Hind legs are entirely white, but the white extends no
higher than mid-thigh. A white blaze can decorate the nose. Bicolors boast a
white mask like an inverted “V,” plus white on all four legs, feet, stomach,
chest, and ruff. Other white patches and markings can appear, except on the
points, which are darker and well-defined.
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The ideal Ragdoll grows to be large and heavy. Full maturity of color is
not achieved until two years; full weight and size is not expected for
at least four years. Overall impression is of subdued power.
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Large, long, powerful, and muscular; chest full; bone structure strong
and substantial; rump slightly higher than shoulders; hindquarters
heavier; surprising weight for size.
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Broad modified wedge with slightly rounded contours; medium size; muzzle
round and medium length; chin well-developed; medium break between eyes.
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Medium-sized; broad at base; slight forward tilt; rounded tips.
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Oval, large, moderately wide set; not Oriental. Color blue.
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Long, medium at base with slight taper; in proportion to body.
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Semi-long, silky, plush, with medium undercoat; coat lies with body and
breaks as cat moves; medium ruff.
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Solid; particolor mitted; particolor bicolor divisions.
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Eye color other than blue; any white on pointed colors; lack of white
chin on mitted colors; any dark markings on area of white mask in
bicolor.
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None.
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