Ragdoll (cat)

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 12:41

Ragdoll (Ragdoll cat) - a breed of large semi-long-haired cats. They are affectionate, gentle and peaceful creatures. By nature, they are phlegmatic, but they love to run and play. The breed is focused on people, so ragdolls do not tolerate prolonged loneliness. These are the best companions you could ever dream of. Ragdolls easily adapt to the rhythm of life of their beloved owner, follow him everywhere relentlessly, snuggle up to him on the couch and in bed, wait outside while he takes a shower, etc. When playing, they do not release their claws, they do not scratch. Ragdoll will become a child's best friend who doesn't mind playing with dressing up and riding in a stroller. Trusting, like a child, and absolutely unfazed in any danger.

Weight: females - 4-6 kg, males - 7-10 kg.

Height: up to 40 cm.

Cost (price) of a kitten: it mainly depends on the color and class of the kitten - pet class - from 20,000 to 40,000 rubles, breed class - from 40,000 to 60,000 rubles, show class from 80,000 to 180,000 rubles.

Life expectancy: up to 19 years (average 11-15).

Country of origin: USA.

Breed diseases: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

The breed is recognized by felinological organizations: LOOF, CFA, ACF, ACFA, TICA, FIFe, WCF, AACE, CCA.

Buying and feeding a ragdoll kitten.

Nicknames for ragdolls.

Tips for keeping a ragdoll.

Ragdoll: advice on care.

TICA Ragdoll Breed Standard

Ragdoll history

The breed is originally from the USA, more precisely from Riverside (California). It was founded in 1963 by Ann Baker, a Persian breeder. There is a legend that the founder of the breed was a cat that became the victim of an accident on the road; as if she passed on to her offspring a weak muscle tone resulting from the injury.

In the 1960s, a white angora cat named Josephine gave birth to three adorable kittens, whose father was a Burmese cat with a very calm personality. The kittens grew up obedient, with a calm temperament, with an affectionate disposition and a tendency to go limp and relax (decreased muscle tone) when they were picked up.

The owner of Josephine, Ann Baker, interested in the unusual features of the kittens, decided to create a new breed and started breeding. By crossing only the most "relaxed" and peaceful cats, by 1965 she was able to consolidate these qualities in subsequent generations. The new breed received the name Ragdoll, from the English regdoll - "ragdoll".

Baker, in an unusual move, rejected traditional felinological associations. She trademarked Ragdoll, set up her own registry (International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA)) in 1971, and imposed strict standards for anyone who wanted to breed or sell cats under that name.

In 1969, a couple of breeders, Laura and Denny Dayton, bought four Ragdolls from Ann Baker and founded Blossom Time, and in 1975 they left the IRCA to gain recognition for the breed. They developed the breed standard, which is currently adopted by major felinological organizations such as CFA and FIFe.

The first ragdolls, direct descendants of Josephine, were brought to the UK in 1981. Already in 1987, the Ragdoll Breed Club was founded in the country, and four years later the breed was recognized by the GCCF, and in 1992 by the FIFe. Ragdolls appeared in Germany in 1985, and in France in 1986. The first litter in France was born to Madame Vialatte in 1988.

In 1994, a second group of breeders decided to leave IRCA and form their own group, due to increasingly stringent breeding restrictions. Because Baker owned the rights to the "Ragdoll" name, none of the offshoot groups had the legal right to call their cats ragdolls until 2005, when the brand was renewed.

Ragdoll appearance

Ragdoll is an impressive size animal that gives off a sense of power. The body is massive, the bones are well developed, the chest is wide, rounded, with equally broad shoulders and hips. The body is harmoniously developed and proportionally folded. The neck is short and muscular.

The head is medium in size, in the shape of a wide wedge. The ears are medium in size, set wide apart, with rounded tips (sometimes with tassels at the ends). The nose is straight with a curve at the top, of medium length. The chin is strong.

The eyes are large, oval, blue (the darker the better).

The front legs are slightly shorter than the hind legs. The paws are round, tufts of hair grow between the toes.

The tail is long (leaning back on the cat's back, should reach the shoulder blades), rather thick at the base, well pubescent.

The coat is very dense and silky. The shortest coat is on the legs.

Varieties of ragdolls:

- color-points (animals in color resemble Siamese cats; light hair on the body is combined with dark hair on the face, ears, paws and tail; nose and paw pads correspond in color to pigmented areas of the body), - "mitted" (with white paws, unlike animals with dark paws (paws are covered with white wool), which forms a kind of "socks" and a belly - a white stripe runs from the chin to the genitals), - bicolor (unlike animals with dark paws, they have a characteristic patch of white wool on the muzzle inverted V, pigmentation begins in eyes and cheeks; legs and belly are also white).

Each of the varieties has four colors: seal, chocolate, blue and lilac.

The character and temperament of ragdoll

Ragdolls are affectionate, gentle, peaceful, very supportive cats. They prefer the society of man, everywhere they follow the masters. Cats become full members of the family, and loneliness is a burden to them. Ragdoll adapts to the rhythm of life of his beloved owner, everywhere relentlessly follows him, snuggles up to him on the couch and in bed, waits outside while he takes a shower, etc. An ideal, calm and balanced friend who creates an atmosphere of love and peace around him.

Ragdoll is phlegmatic by nature, but loves to run and play. This is a great family cat and the best companion you could ever wish for. Ragdoll easily adapts to any habitat.

The Ragdoll's good nature seems endless. He behaves extremely peacefully, and when he is attacked, he prefers not to defend himself, but to quietly retire. Gullible, like a child, and absolutely unflappable in any danger.

Ragdoll cats are gentlemen in the feline world. They are selective in choosing a mate and can take care of a cat they like for several years before moving on to a bigger one. Ragdolls are quite shy, and therefore, some cats can only mate on their territory. Monogamous people are often found.

They easily find a common language with all pets, get along with other cats and kittens, as well as with birds and rodents. They love to eat, but are not prone to obesity.

Undemanding, wise and patient, ragdoll always subtly reacts to any changes in the owner's mood, he will return love and tenderness a hundredfold.

The ragdoll's voice is soft, quiet. Rarely "gives" a voice. Even if you accidentally step on his tail or paw, he will remain silent.

Ragdoll is playful but not overly active. Easily learns various commands, responds to the nickname. When playing, it does not release its claws, does not scratch. He will become the best friend of the child. Doesn't mind playing with dressing up and riding in a stroller. Just make sure the child isn't torturing the cat.

The ragdolls have a slow reaction, so they should not be allowed to go outside on their own. Cats can easily be hit by cars. In addition, it is very dangerous for them to fall from a height, even a small one, because, unlike other representatives of the cat tribe, they do not know how to roll over in the air and land on their paws.

Ragdoll health

With good care and proper nutrition, Ragdolls live up to 16-19 years with an average life expectancy of 11-15 years.

Despite their low muscle tone, Ragdolls have no major health problems. However, in some lines, hereditary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease occur. Some sources claim that cats of this breed are predisposed to urolithiasis (most often oxalate stones) and infectious peritonitis (FIP).

Being quite large cats, Ragdolls are prone to hip dysplasia.

In addition, like all cats, ragdolls can get sick with any feline disease, so do not forget about the annual preventive veterinary examinations and vaccinations against common cat diseases.