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Origination...
There are several myths
surrounding the Ragdoll breed. But, it's generally accepted that a
woman from California named Ann Baker, in the early 1960s, created the
Ragdoll by breeding a white female Persian to a male Birman. She
then introduced a female Burmese into the breeding program and this
combination resulted in the Ragdoll breed.
Temperament...
Ragdolls are sometimes referred to as the "Gentle
Giants" of the cat world. They are very laid-back, docile, and
non-aggressive cats. Ragdolls tend to relax and go limp when
held. They have a non-fighting instinct meaning if they're attacked,
they don't defend themselves the way most other cats would. For this
reason, they should be kept strictly indoors. They love to be around
people and have been described as acting similar to a puppy. They
may greet guests, follow their owners around, and some can even be taught
to fetch! Ragdolls are slow-maturing and may not reach full maturity
until about three or four years of age.
Physical Characteristics...
Ragdolls are the largest
fully domestic breed of cat (Guinness Book of World Records). They are
large, heavy cats with broad chests and large hindquarters. Females are
smaller than males, weighing about 10-15 pounds on average. Males
weigh an average of 12-20 pounds as adults, although some may grow to be
larger. Full weight and size is not expected for at least four
years.
Ragdolls have large, oval, blue eyes and sweet
expressions. Their large, rounded ears are set with a slight forward
tilt. They have a curved profile with the look of a "ski slope" as
it merges to the top of the head.
Ragdolls have soft medium-long coats and bushy tails
that feel like rabbit fur and do not tend to mat, although occasional
grooming may be required. In general, Ragdolls have longer fur
around the neck and on the back of the hindquarters.
Colors & Patterns...
If you'd like to learn more about the colors and
patterns of Ragdolls, you can visit:
RFW.
Also, Ragdoll International has photos of the
various colors and patterns, to visit: Ragdoll International.
Should you get a Ragdoll?
Ragdoll cats can be excellent pets, especially if you
want a loving, friendly companion that will be affectionate to everyone in
your home, including visitors. They are large cats and require
little grooming, shed very little, and can be trained quiet easily.
They also adapt very well to small apartment life. On the other
hand, if you need to leave your cat alone for long periods of time, a
Ragdoll may not be the right breed for you. They like attention but
aren't as vocal as other breeds. Ragdolls are a strictly indoor cat
and should not go outside at all. All in all, Ragdolls are very
dependent cats that need a good deal of love and attention.
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