The Ragdoll is a cat breed with blue eyes and a distinct colorpoint coat. It is a large and muscular semi-longhair cat with a soft and silky coat. [1] Developed by controversial American breeder Ann Baker. Breed's standard says about docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature as well as tendency of individuals from the original breeding stock to go limp and relaxed when picked up.

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The name "Ragdoll"

Ragdolls were 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 .Today, scientists reject this theory as Ragdoll experiences pain in the same way as any other breed of cat. ^[2]

More history

In the 1960s, Ann Baker owned a regular non-pedigreed white domestic longhaired cat named Josephine, who had produced several litters of typical cats. Popular legend states that Josephine was hit by a car at some point, which caused her to feel no pain and go limp, but this is completely untrue, and the tendency is merely a genetic mutation. Josephine was of a Persian/Angora type, sired by several unknown male cats, one of which had the Siamese point coloration (Note: No one truly knows the genetics behind the Ragdoll breed, only that somewhere down the line, breeders started to bring in Maine Coon, Persian and Birman lines to create alternate colors and also to refine features, and accidentally caused some health problems that breeders are starting to eradicate due to selective breeding based on the Maine Coon gene). A later litter produced exceptionally friendly kittens, which Baker claimed, was a result of a secret government genetic experiment on Josephine(a claim rejected by genetics experts and one that is more than likely untrue. This is also cause for the belief that Ann Baker was slightly eccentric). 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.

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 Ragdolls are descended from Baker's cats through matings of Daddy Warbucks to Fugianna and Buckwheat.

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 led by Denny Dayton broke rank with IRCA with the aim of gaining mainstream recognition for the Ragdoll. This group eventually developed the Ragdoll standard currently accepted by major cat registries.

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. Because Baker owned the rights to the name "Ragdoll", no offshoot groups could call their cats Ragdolls until the trademark on "Ragdoll" was not renewed in 2005. ^[4]

Breed description

Temperament

The defining characteristic of the original Ragdoll is its tendency to go limp when picked up, thought to be due to a genetic mutation. Some breeders in Britain have tried to breed away from the limpness due to concerns that extreme docility "might not be in the best interests of the cat." ^[5] Still, they are generally considered gentle and laid back animals. Most, if not all breeders, advise Ragdoll owners to not allow their pet(s) outside without supervision and a leash or harness, as the laid-back personality tends to lower the natural instinct to fight for their lives. As family pets, Ragdolls love everyone, even strangers who enter the home. Generally, they like to have another cat or another Ragdoll to play with (although, of course, as with any animal, there are exceptions who need to be single-pets). They are energetic and playful, often not knowing their own size or strength until they reach about a year old, which is when they start to mellow out. Many older Ragdolls are known to allow their owners to push them across tile like a dustrag, which the cat takes all in good fun. More often than other cat breeds, Ragdolls have also been known to learn certain tricks (fetch, sit, beg, and even playing a few notes on the piano).

Physical characteristics

The Ragdoll has a sturdy body with a large frame and proportionate legs. A full grown female weighs 8-15 lbs while males are substantially larger, ranging from 12 to 20 lbs. The genes for point coloration is also responsible for the blue eyes of the Ragdoll. More intense shades of blue is favored in the show ring. While the breed has a plush coat, they consist mainly of long guard hair and the lack of a dense undercoat results in, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association, "reduced shedding and matting". ^[6] Mitted Ragdolls, which weren't allowed titling until the '08-'09 show season, will often be confused for Birmans. The easiest way to tell the difference is by size (the Ragdoll being obviously larger) and chin color (Ragdolls have white chins, while Birmans have colored chins), although breeders recognize the two by head shape and boning.

Ragdolls come in 6 different colors - seal, chocolate, flame, and the corresponding "dilutes" like blue, lilac and cream (this also includes the tortoiseshell pattern in all colors and the three patterns). There are three different patterns:

• Pointed - One color darkening at the extremities (nose, ears, tail and paws)
• Mitted - Same as pointed, but with white paws and abdomen. With or without a blaze (a white line or spot on the face), but must have a "belly stripe" (white stripe that runs from the chin to the genitals) and a white chin.
• Bicolor — White legs, white inverted 'V' on the face, white abdomen and sometimes white patches on the back (Excessive amounts of white, or "high white," on a bicolor is known as the Van pattern, although this doesn't occur nearly as often as the other patterns).

References

1. Ragdoll Standard FIFe
2. http://www.ragdoll.co.za/about_ragdolls.htm
3. Ragdoll J. Anne Helgren (2006). Telemark Productions.
4. see U.S. trademark number 1,026,916
5. Understanding Cat Behavior: The Complete Feline Problem Solver Roger Tabor (2003). P 33.
6. Breed Profile Cat Fanciers' Association