IIPTF PET FESTIVAL PUNE Vol 12 Issue No 10 October 2019 | Page 18

Cat Breed
THE
RAGDOLL
By Dr. Irfan Ahmed*
T
he Ragdoll was fi rst bred by an
American breeder named Ann
Baker in 1960 in Riverside,
California from a Persian/Turkish
Angora and a Burmese/Birman cat.
The breed combines the colourpoint
gene (causing the distinctive blue
eyes) with semi-long hair and the
spotting factor. 
The name Ragdoll comes from the
breed’s tendency to go limp and relax
when picked up, just like a rag or
cloth doll. Ragdoll kittens are, in fact,
born white and gradually develop
deeper markings with permanent
hues as they age. Ragdolls reach full
maturity at three to four years of age.
The Cat Fanciers Association gave
the Ragdoll full recognition as a
separate breed in 2000. They are now
identifi ed as a distinct feline breed
by most registries around the world
including the American Cat Fanciers
Association and The International
Cat Association.
SIZE
The Ragdoll is one of the largest
domesticated cat breeds, with
a sturdy body, large frame, and
proportionate legs. A fully-grown
female weighs from 8 to 15 pounds
(3.6 to 6.8 kg). Males are substantially
larger, ranging from 12 to 20 pounds
(5.4 to 9.1 kg) or more. They also have
a pad of fat deposit on the belly.
APPEARANCE
The Ragdoll is similar to the
Himalayan, which was bred directly
from the Persian and Siamese.
Ragdolls are large cats, with
distinctive sapphirine blue eyes, and
a semi-longhair soft and silky coat
of fur. They are usually mostly white,
with light to dark marks.
The Ragdoll breed of cats comes
in three coat pattern variations-
colourpoint, mitted and bipolar.
The Colourpoint Ragdoll carries no
white; the Mitted Ragdoll displays
some white on chin, front paws,
hind legs and on the belly; and the
Bicolour Ragdoll displays the typical
inverted "V" in the mask, white legs
and a white belly. There are many
variations of Ragdoll coats, but in
general they will have a lighter body
combined with a darker face, legs,
tail and ears. Ragdolls may be lilac,
red, blue, chocolate, cream, or seal.
BREED CHARACTERISTICS
Adaptability: A Ragdoll can easily
adapt to new places. All they need
to feel at ease is having their owner
within sight.
Energy Level: Ragdoll Cats have