Ragdoll Kittens
The history of the Ragdoll breed is a strange tale that would be well suited to sensational tabloid newspapers and late night conspiracy TV shows. These adorable kittens get their name from their tendency to go limp and floppy when picked up. While this is now a genetic trait that has been deliberately brought out through careful selective breeding, the owner of the original Ragdoll cat believed that the characteristic came about through secret genetic testing. This was carried out on her beloved cat, Josephine, whilst undergoing treatment in the 1960's at the University of California veterinary hospital for injuries sustained during a car accident.
Josephine was a beautiful long-haired cat with Angora, Persian and Burmese heritage, and displayed distinctive Siamese point markings. Her owner claimed that she was a completely normal cat until she came home from the hospital, after which she was extremely docile and went limp whenever she was picked up. This could have been explained by her injuries, however her next litter of kittens displayed the exact same characteristics, indicating that the traits were genetic.
Experienced cat breeder, Ann Baker, was quick to spot the potential of these unusual cats and bought several kittens. Over the next few years she carefully bred these large, long-haired cats that displayed the same relaxed temperament, and was so passionate about her new breed that she trademarked the name "Ragdoll" and refused to join any existing cat associations. It was not until 2005, when the trademark expired that other breeders were able to have the Ragdoll officially recognized as a breed.
Ragdolls are typically large cats, with long silky fur and bright blue eyes. There are several different colour variations, but in general the cats display a light coloured body with darkening of the ears, tail and paws. Ragdoll kittens are always born white, and their colouring does not develop completely until they are two years old. For this reason it is important to view the parents when purchasing a pedigree Ragdoll kitten in order to see what your cat will look like when mature. Although they might look like fluffy hairballs, they do not have a thick undercoat and so shed less than many other cat breeds and do not require more grooming than regular brushing.
They make excellent cats for families with children due to their passive nature. Ragdolls are also very sociable animals, enjoying the company of humans and often following people from room to room. They are exceptionally gentle while playing, and almost never extend their claws. Although inquisitive and playful, these large cats are not prone to the gymnastics of other more agile breeds, and prefer to roam around the floor rather than leap onto high surfaces. Ragdolls are quite quiet, and will rarely yowl or even meow, preferring to get their owners attention physically by rubbing against them.
Because of their large size, long coat and general slowness compared to other cats most Ragdoll owners keep their cats indoors. Although their curiosity might make them want to explore the wide world beyond, these gentle giants are not known for their "street smarts" and are best kept safely under human supervision. Ensuring that you provide your Ragdoll with a good scratching post, interesting toys and plenty of attention should keep your cat happy inside his home.
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