Ragdoll
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| Ragdoll | |
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| Country of origin | |
| United States | |
| Breed standard | |
| FIFe | : standard |
| CFA | : standard |
| TICA | : standard |
| AACE | : standard |
| ACFA | : standard |
| ACF | : standard |
| CCA | : standard |
The Ragdoll is an American cat breed with a medium-length, silky, rabbit-like coat. It is best known for its docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature. Ragdolls have a sturdy body with a large frame, proportionate legs, and a soft coat with Siamese-style points. Adult cats can be 15-20 lbs without being considered obese, and a fatty pad under the abdomen is typical.
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[edit] The name "Ragdoll"
Ragdolls were first 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.[1] Today, scientists reject this theory as Ragdoll experiences pain in the same way as any other breed of cat.[1]
[edit] More about History
Some of the original stock consisted of hardy, free-roaming street cats. Ms. Baker created the foundations of the Ragdoll breed by selecting kittens out of Josephine, a semi-feral longhaired white female Persian/Angora type, sired by several unknown male Birman-like or Burmese-like cats, one with Siamese type markings. 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 Ragdoll and RagaMuffin cats are descended from Ann Baker's cats through matings of Daddy Warbucks to Fugianna and Buckwheat. By selecting individuals with the look and temperament she wanted for her breeding program, Ann Baker created the standard Ragdoll type.
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.[2] The Ragdolls were also not allowed to be registered in other breed associations. In 1975, a group broke rank with IRCA with the aim of gaining mainstream recognition for the Ragdoll. This group, which included Denny and Laura Dayton eventually developed the Ragdoll standard currently accepted by major cat registries. 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. 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 Ann Baker owned the rights to the name "Ragdoll" for her new breed, no offshoot groups could call their cats Ragdolls until Ann Baker's trademark on "Ragdoll" was not renewed in 2005.[3] Over the years, RagaMuffin breeders have chosen to differentiate their cats by selective breeding and occasional outcrossings for desired traits, while maintaining the docile, attentive temperament of the original Ragdoll cats.
[edit] Size and Weight
The Ragdoll is a large sized cat breed. Males average between 15-20 pounds.[4] Females are smaller and weigh 10-15 pounds on average. Ragdolls are slow maturing breeds; reaching full coat color at two years of age and full size and weight at four years.[4]
[edit] Temperament
The Ragdoll cat typically has a very gentle and relaxed temperament. When socialized from birth they are attentive and affectionate members of the family that enjoy and seek out human companionship. Ragdoll cats remain playful throughout their lives, adjust well to children and pets and are sometimes called "puppy-cats" because of their propensity to follow their owners from room to room and meet them at the door. Ragdoll cats are demurely vocal, careful with their claws and teeth when in play, plus forgiving of accidental mistreatment. Because of their non-defensive nature, a Ragdoll should never be allowed outdoors unattended.
[edit] Grooming
Ragdolls require light grooming and great nutrition to give them an overall fluffy and healthy appearance. Ragdolls shed minimally. Their coats are easier to manage than many other long-haired breeds with just weekly combing to remove loose hairs and prevent mats. Bathing is rarely needed but well-tolerated, as are nail-clippings and vet visits. Ragdoll cats kept in a fairly constant temperature do not develop a huge winter coat and thus do not have as much problem with matting as Persians or Himalayans. Occasionally combing armpits and britches will help prevent large matts from forming, especially in winter, when conditions of dry air and static are common. Ragdolls have a low-maintenance coat.
[edit] Varieties
Ragdolls come in 6 different colors - seal, chocolate, flame, and "dilutes" blue, lilac and cream. There are three different patterns: Pointed (nose, ears, tail and paws in the specific colors & no white), Mitted - white paws, chin and tummy, with or without a blaze (a white line on the face), and Bicolor—white tall socks, white inverted 'V' on the face, white tummy and often white patches on the back. Variations include a three-color "tortie-point" (mottled seal or blue with red present) and lynx (striped pattern on tail, face and points) which can be found in all 3 patterns.
 A blue colorpoint Ragdoll |
 A seal point bicolor Ragdoll |
 A blue cream tortie point Ragdoll |
 A seal lynx bicolor Ragdoll kitten |
 Two blue point Ragdoll kittens (8 weeks old) |
 A lilac bicolor Ragdoll |
[edit] Famous Ragdolls
- The presenters of long-running CBBC TV program, Blue Peter, have two Ragdoll cats amongst their team. The first was named "Socks", ostensibly after a viewers' vote. Later the BBC revealed that in fact the voters' first choice had been "Cookie" and the program acquired a second Ragdoll kitten that they named "Cookie." [1]Blue Peter to apologise over cat
- Cy, the short-lived one-eyed kitten, was a Ragdoll cat.
- The Algonquin Hotel in New York City keeps a Ragdoll in its lobby. This tradition of keeping a cat dates to the 1930s; males are named "Hamlet" and females, "Matilda." The current Matilda is an 11-year-old female Ragdoll who strolls the lobby and sweetly greets guests from her position on the front desk. She was recently named cat of the year at the Westchester Cat Show in Westchester County, New York. Matilda has a signature cocktail in the hotel bar; her likeness is on a children's book and Christmas ornament.
[edit] References
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008) |
- ^ a b http://www.ragdoll.co.za/about_ragdolls.htm
- ^ Ragdoll J. Anne Helgren (2006). Telemark Productions.
- ^ see U.S. trademark number 1,026,916
- ^ a b http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/ragdoll.html
