Ragdoll Breed Profile

                       Mary Brooker   February 2006.

 History of the Ragdoll Cat.

 The first Ragdolls were bred by Ann Baker in California U.S.A. in the early 1960’s.

 There are a number of stories about the beginning of these lovely cats but the most reported one is that the foundation cats were a long haired white cat called Josephine who was mated to both a Burmese and a Birman. The offspring of these three cats became  known as the Ragdoll.

 The name Ragdoll was given to them because of their ability to relax and “flop” when picked up.

One myth that has surrounded these cats is that they do not feel pain, they have the same sense of pain as any other cat.

Over the years the breed has been improved and new colours introduced.

The first Ragdolls came to Australia in November 1989.

Since then they have become a very popular cat as they have a placid nature and are good with all age groups and other pets.

 Description of the Ragdoll Cat.

  The Ragdoll is a large imposing cat with a long and muscular body. The tail is also long and fluffy.

The coat is semi long, the longer the better. It is longest around the neck and forms a ruff. It has a soft “ rabbit like” texture and is non matting.

The head is medium sized, broad, modified wedge, flat between the ears. Muzzle is round, medium in length. Chin is well developed. Gentle nose break.

 Medium ears with a rounded tip and medium furnishings.

The eyes are blue, the deeper the better, large and oval in shape.

The hind legs are slightly longer than the front. The paws are large with tufts between the toes.

Kittens are born white and their colour develops slowly.

 Ragdolls take up to 3-4  years to reach full size and colour.

 The Ragdolls come in three coat patterns, colour point, mitted and bi-colour. The colours are seal, chocolate, blue, lilac, red, cream,and torties and tabbies in each coat pattern.

 What the Judge looks for in the Ragdoll. 

A large, imposing cat of striking appearance, who is easily handled. The head is medium sized, broad, and is a modified wedge.

A lush, semi long hair coat with a ruff around the neck.

 The eyes are a beautiful blue, large in size.

 

Scoring for a Ragdoll.

 

The head, eyes, ears, nose and neck make up 35 points.

The body, legs, paws, and tail make up 30 points.

The coat, colour and pattern make up 20 points.

Condition of the cat makes up 15 points.