Size: Ragdoll cats are large in size and range from 10 to 20 pounds.
Activity Level: The Ragdoll is a moderately active cat. They are not overly demanding or hyper but they do enjoy attention and affection from their companions. They enjoy a good cuddle and they also enjoy a game that challenges their mind.
Characteristics: Ragdoll cats are some of the largest domestic cats in existence and take three to four years to reach full maturity and size. Their large bodies feel incredibly heavy and have heavy boning and significant musculature. They have white feet, chins, and bellies. They also have large legs that are quite muscular. Ragdolls have lovely, oval-shaped, and vibrantly-colored blue eyes. Ragdolls also have large, wedge-shaped heads with all sides of the face being equal in length and a rounded muzzle. Additionally, they have medium-size ears that are rounded and tipped forward.
Temperament: Ragdolls are wonderful companions and great pets for families because of their sweet and laid-back personalities. They can even resemble their namesakes and act like ragdolls, limply lying in your arms. They love to cuddle up with their companions and give and receive affection. They are devoted and loyal and will happily and politely follow you around your house to see what you are doing. They are well-behaved and intelligent, making learning new games easy and fun for them. Their quiet and sweet voices will make you fall in love and their adaptability will make them a great companion for any family.
Coat: The Ragdoll cat has a semi-long, glossy coat that feels fluffy and silky. The coat comes in a variety of color points and patterns.
Care: Even though the Ragdoll cat has a semi-long coat, it is not particularly difficult to maintain. Brushing or combing their coat 1 to 2 times each week will keep their hat silky tangle and mat-free. Because they do not have an undercoat, they shed minimally. But, they do shed and they may require a little extra brushing during seasons of shedding. Like all cats, they need to have their nails trimmed and ears cleaned when necessary to keep them looking their best. Lastly, be sure to brush their teeth frequently to prevent periodontal disease.
Origin of the Ragdoll Cat: Ragdoll cats are one of the younger cat breeds in existence today. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, as there are many tall tales and creative stories surrounding the origination of the breed. The breed began in the 1960s with Ann Baker of Riverside, California. Baker had been a Persian breeder and she started the Ragdoll breed with a white female longhaired cat named Josephine, a male seal mitted kitten named Daddy Warbucks, and a solid black male cat named Blackie.
There are some very colorful stories about Josephine involving car accidents and government experiments. Baker insisted that Josephine had been the subject of genetic experiments performed by the government. While these stories can obviously not be confirmed, we do know that Daddy Warbucks was mated to two of Josephine’s kittens, Buckwheat and Fugianna. These cats are said to be the foundation of the Ragdoll breed that we know today. Further breeding produced more litters of kittens and, through selective breeding, the look and body type of the Ragdoll was established. A couple named Denny and Laura Dayton also played an important role in establishing the Ragdoll cat breed.
