|
General |
Ragdolls
are truly an amazing breed offering everything you
could possibly want in a cat and a whole lot more in
one unique package. They have a stunningly beautiful appearance
and an exceptionally trusting, loyal and loving
disposition. Sweet and docile, they are an extremely
friendly cat very adaptable to most situations and a
truly special breed that will completely captivate
you and steal your heart.
As
their name suggests, they are very much like a
child's Ragdoll in the respect that when they are
picked up or held they do have the ability to become
very limp and floppy. Around the house they are very
relaxed and you can often find them curled up in
their favourite spot laying comfortably on their
backs with paws and feet in the air.
They
love to be held and cuddled like a baby and absolutely
love chin and tummy rubs. So affectionate and loving is
this breed you can tell they really do cherish time spent
with their owner. Ragdolls just love to show
affection.
Strictly
an indoor cat, Ragdolls absolutely thrive on human
companionship and will devote themselves entirely to their
owner. They can often be found waiting by doors for their
owner to arrive home and will nearly always be in the same
room, if not on their owners lap or right by their feet.
They are quite inquisitive and mischievous although still
very gentle, placid and docile. Due to their very gentle
nature they really depend on their owner to offer security
and protection. Rarely will a Ragdoll use their claws - it
is simply not in their nature to be aggressive.
Completely
happy and content in the presence of their owner, a
Ragdoll will go out of their way to be next to you, roll
playfully onto your feet and always prefer to be cuddled
up on your lap purring loudly ! Generally they just love
to be with you and will most certainly charm their way
into your heart.
Quite
often they are referred to as rather “dog like”
probably because they do like to always be that one step
behind or in front of you and because they seem to always
have this incessant need to make you happy or to please
you. Completely trainable, they love to fetch balls and
carry things about the house in their mouths. They will
learn to come to you when called and they are completely
entertaining, will find amusement in the simplest of
household objects and will bring so much happiness and joy
to your home.
Generally,
Ragdolls are very quietly spoken with very soft voices but
are extremely loud purrers. Regarded as quite a big boned
heavy set cat they can weigh 12-20 pounds and absolutely
love their food. Females generally weigh less than males
but both have the stunning blue eyes, luxurious coat and
the generous size that the breed is renowned for. They are
exceptionally pretty and are deemed to be a semi
longhaired cat although their coat is rather low
maintenance due to the factor that it is rather rabbit
like and non-matting. Regular brushing once a week is
recommended and your Ragdoll will enjoy the attention and
time with you immensely.
Health
wise, they are a very hardy breed and rarely require
medical attention. However, the breed is a rather new
breed and as they do not have an extremely large or
diverse gene pool, good breeding practices whereby the
cats are not bred from too closely related genetic lines
are absolutely crucial.
|
| Breed Classification |
Semi Longhair |
|
Lifespan
|
9 - 15 years
Ragdolls live for about ten to twelve years on average. |
|
Average Litter Size
|
Ragdolls have about five kittens in a litter. |
|
General Physical Description
|
The Ragdoll is a large, powerful, imposing cat with distinctive markings.
However the cat is extremely relaxed and laid back giving the floppy ragdoll impression.
The broad head has a flat top and is wide between the ears. The ears are medium sized and tilted slightly forward
and are rounded at the tip. The chin is firm with a level bite and the muzzle is rounded with plump cheeks.
The eyes are large, slightly obliquely set and wide apart. The eyes are deep blue.
The body is long and muscular with a broad chest and short neck. The legs are substantially
boned and are medium in length. The paws are large round and tufted. The tail tapers slightly
toward the tip and is long and bushy. When taken along the side of the cat the tail should reach
at least to the shoulder. Ragdolls do not mature until about three or four years old. |
|
Weight Height Range
|
Ragdolls weigh between 4.5 - 9kgs. |
|
Feeding
|
Although the Ragdoll is a large cat it is not
very active and requires only 70 Kcals of food per kg bodyweight per day. Care must be taken not to let this
breed become obese. |
|
Ailments
|
The Ragdoll is a predominantly healthy breed.
As with all cats it is a good idea to have an annual health check from the age of 8. |
Other
|
Show Characteristics
|
Ragdolls can be shown at all major cat shows in
the UK and achieved Championship status as from June 2001. Prizes may be withheld for pale eye colour, fine bone,
short body, narrow muzzle, dermatoid cysts, incorrect markings, as well as any of the faults that apply to all
breeds such as skull deformities, entropion (an eyelid deformity), unlevel bite, tail kinks etc. |
|
Country Of Origin
|
America |
|
Records Held
|
GCCF, 4-6 Penel Orlieu, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3PG.
|
Characteristics
|
|
Energy
|
Low |
|
Compatibility With Other Cats
|
High |
|
Compatibility With Other Animals
|
Medium |
|
Suitability For Children
|
Medium |
|
Character & Temperament
|
The Ragdoll is possibly the most laid back of all
the domestic cat breeds. They are basically content and undemanding and tolerate most situations. They have an
extremely gentle and relaxed nature, and make loyal and devoted pets. There is an old-wives tale that these cats
are immune to pain - this is totally untrue! |
|
Noisiness
|
Low |
|
Placidity
|
|
|
Playfulness As An Adult
|
|
Grooming
|
|
Grooming & Upkeep
|
The Ragdoll does require regular grooming to
keep its striking coat in good condition. If the grooming process is started as a kitten they soon become used
to it and enjoy the attention it brings. Daily attention will prevent a build up of knots and the fight that comes
to remove tangles and matts from a neglected coat. |
|
Coat Length
|
Medium |
Colour
|
The Ragdoll’s coat is silky and dense and of
medium length, and on adult cats there should be a ruff and knickerbockers. The coat may be considerably shorter
in summer. There are three different coat patterns in the Ragdoll breed and each pattern comes in four colours.
Colourpointed Ragdoll - The colour of the points are well defined and the points cover the mask, ears, paws and tail.
The nose leather and paw pads should be the same colour as the points. 'Seal' - The points are dark seal brown and
should all be the same shade. The body is beige. 'Blue' - The points are bluish grey and all the same shade.
The body is bluish white. 'Chocolate' - The points are milk chocolate and all the same shade. The body is ivory.
'Lilac' - The points are pinkish grey and all the same shade. The body is magnolia. Mitted Ragdoll - The colour of
the body and points for the mitted Ragdoll are as for the colourpointed Ragdoll but the cat has specific white
markings in addition. The chin, bib, chest and stomach from chest to tail are white, andt the two front paws have
evenly martched white mittens which do not extend beyond the joint of paw and leg. The back legs are white to
at least above the hock if not all the way up to the body. There may be a narrow white blaze on the nose. The
nose leather matches the points and the paw pads are pink. Bi-Coloured Ragdoll - The colour of the body and
points of the Bi-coloured Ragdoll are as for the colourpointed Ragdoll but the cat has additional white areas.
The white area begins in an upside down ‘V’ beginning at the forehead and extending down to cover
the nose, whisker pads and chin. The entire underbody, chest and bib are white. All the legs are completely white
up to the body. The white patches on the body may vary in shape and size but cover no more than one third of the
total body. The nose leather and paw pads are pink. |
|
History And Uses
|
The first Ragdoll kittens were born in California in
the 1960’s. They are probably the result of a mating between a white Persian queen (female) and a Birman or
Birman-type tom. When picked up the cat becomes very relaxed and is as floppy as the ragdoll from which it takes its
name. There are some that say that this was brought about by an accident the queen had whilst carrying the kittens
but it is genetically impossible for the effects of the injury to be inherited by the kittens. The more realistic
believe that many cats act in this way when they trust their owners and that the Ragdoll is a particularly trusting
breed. |
|
Shedding
|
Moderate |
|
Suffers From Allergies
|
|
|
Tendency to Cause Allergies
|
|
