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- From: Jill Keating <jkeating@fre.fsu.umd.edu>
- Subject: rec.pets.cats: Ragdolls Breed-FAQ
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- URL: http://www.fanciers.com/breed-faqs/ragdoll-faq.html
- Last-modified: 12 Mar 1997
-
- All the cat breed faqs are available as ASCII files either on rec.pets.cats
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-
- The Ragdoll
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- Author: Jill Keating, MTN-TOP Ragdolls, 01 Jun 94
- [jkeating@fre.fsu.umd.edu].
-
- Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 by Jill Keating, All Rights Reserved.
-
- Assistance from: Patricia Steckman, TLC Cattery
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- BRIEF INTRODUCTION
-
- Ragdolls are large, docile cats. They are sweet-faced and muscular,
- with an overall impression of elegance and balance. They have a
- medium-long, non-matting coat with a soft texture like rabbit fur.
- They are pointed in color (like the Himalayan or Siamese) and appear
- in seal point, blue point, chocolate point, and lilac point, with or
- without white markings.
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- IS THIS BREED FOR ME?
-
- If you want a large cat which is non-aggressive, loves to be with
- people, and is very placid, you may want to consider a Ragdoll. Also,
- if you love the look of a long-haired cat, but do not want the
- constant grooming associated with breeds such as the Persian, a
- Ragdoll would be a good choice. The gentle Ragdoll is also good with
- children and is easy to introduce into a multi-pet household.
-
- If you want a very active or talkative cat, then you might not be
- happy with the less-active Ragdoll.
-
- [INLINE] DGC Samazmo of DJ's Fancy Free, a seal mitted Ragdoll. Image
- Copyright 1995 Ed Ausevich.
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
-
- (This is an informal description. Precise breed standards are
- available from the various associations. If you plan to show or breed
- your Ragdoll, you should obtain breed standards from the associations
- in which you want to show, and read them carefully.)
-
- Ragdolls are large, heavy cats, with broad chests and large
- hindquarters. They are slow-maturing, and do not reach full maturity
- until approximately three years of age. 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.
-
- 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.
-
- Their medium-long coats and bushy tails have a soft texture that feels
- like rabbit fur. In general, Ragdolls have longer fur around the neck
- (a "ruff") and on the back of the hindquarters (sometimes referred to
- as "britches"). The fur does not tend to mat, and is easily combed. It
- does, however, require occasional grooming.
-
- Ragdolls are pointed cats. Like other pointed breeds such as the
- Himalayan and Siamese, Ragdoll kittens are born all white and slowly
- develop color. The color continues to deepen as the cat ages.
-
- In most associations, Ragdolls are accepted in 3 patterns and 4
- colors. The three patterns are "colorpoint," "mitted," and "bicolor":
- * A "colorpoint" has dark points (ears, tail, face, and feet) with a
- body of a lighter shade. The nose leather and pawpads match the
- point color. Colorpoints do not have white markings (although the
- pale body color may appear white on some cats).
- * A "mitted" has dark points and lighter body like a colorpoint, but
- also has white "mitts" on the front paws, white "boots" on the
- back legs and feet, a white chin, a white strip on the stomach,
- and a white ruff.
- * A "bi-color" has the dark points (ears and tail), but the mask is
- interrupted by an inverted "V" running between the eyes and
- expanding into the muzzle. The body color forms a "saddle" on the
- cat's back and the remainder of the cat is white. Bi-colors have
- pink nose leather and paw pads.
-
- The four colors are "seal," "chocolate," "blue," and "lilac" (also
- known as "frost"):
- * A "seal" has dark seal brown points with a light tan body color.
- * A "chocolate" has milk chocolate points with an ivory body color.
- * A "blue" has dark gray points with a pale gray body color.
- * A "lilac" has pinkish gray points with a frosty white body color.
-
- To describe a Ragdoll, combine the color and pattern names. For
- example, a seal Ragdoll, depending on the pattern, might be a "seal
- colorpoint," "seal mitted," or "seal bi-color."
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- CHARACTERISTICS AND TEMPERAMENT
-
- Ragdolls (as their name implies) are extremely "laid-back," docile,
- non-aggressive cats. They tend to relax when held. They are said to
- possess a non-fighting instinct, which means that if attacked, they do
- not defend themselves. They are very "people" oriented and love to be
- around others, which often finds them greeting guests and/or following
- their owners around in a fashion similar to a puppy. They are often
- quite an attraction in a show ring because of their docile
- dispositions and acceptance of the judge placing them on their backs,
- holding them like a baby, etc.
-
- In general, Ragdolls are not extremely vocal, but they do voice their
- opinions concerning certain things (such as at mealtime!). Ragdolls
- are generally placid cats, but they do love to play with all types of
- toys and like to be involved in whatever "action" is going on.
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- CARE AND TRAINING
-
- Ragdolls are intelligent and like to please their owners. Training
- Ragdolls is much more successful when done with rewards. For example,
- they can be trained easily to use a scratching post instead of your
- furniture by lavishing attention on them whenever they use the post.
- As with most cats, however, Ragdolls can be their "own boss" if they
- so choose!
-
- They do not shed excessively, and need little care to keep their coats
- in good condition. Their soft, rabbit-like fur does not tend to mat.
- The fur does require occasional combing or brushing, and the longer
- fur around the hindquarters should be combed regularly. In general,
- Ragdolls do not mind being groomed and, in fact, often enjoy the
- grooming sessions.
-
- Because Ragdolls lack the instinct to defend themselves when attacked,
- they must be kept as indoor pets only. However, they can be easily
- leash trained so that they can go for walks with you outside.
-
- Otherwise, good food, fresh water, regular vet-checkups, regular
- vaccinations and lots of love is what they need to thrive. Bits of
- fresh raw beef can also be fed, as it helps clean the teeth and gives
- good nutrients, but be *very* sure of your supplier before doing this!
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- SPECIAL MEDICAL CONCERNS
-
- No specific medical conditions have been noted with this breed.
- However, as with all breeds, certain "lines" might have a tendency
- toward specific health problems. It's probably a good idea to talk to
- the breeder about whether his/her cats come from lines with any health
- risks.
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- BRIEF HISTORY
-
- In the early 1960's, a woman from California named Ann Baker created
- the Ragdoll by breeding a white female Persian to a male Birman. She
- then introduced a female Burmese into the breeding program. This
- combination resulted in the Ragdoll breed. She then founded the IRCA
- organization in approximately 1971, which had very stringent "rules"
- for owners of her cats. The IRCA still exists, but Ragdolls produced
- by the IRCA are not accepted in any major association.
-
- Fortunately, a husband and wife team bought a pair of the original
- IRCA Ragdolls and realized that this breed needed to be standardized,
- shown, and accepted by the various associations in the cat fancy. They
- worked on an extensive, selective breeding program, out of which grew
- the standardized Ragdolls. The Ragdoll Fanciers' Club International
- (RFCI) was then formed to promote the breed and set specific
- guidelines for Ragdoll breeders.
-
- RFCI Ragdolls are bred Ragdoll to Ragdoll only, with no outcrossing to
- any other breeds. They have specific breed standards, to which the
- breeders must adhere. RFCI Ragdolls are now accepted for registration
- in all cat registering associations.
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- RECOGNITION
-
- RFCI Ragdolls have championship status in all associations except CFA.
- In CFA, the bi-colors may be shown in the miscellaneous class, and the
- colorpoint and mitted patterns can be registered but not shown.
- Ragdolls have done well in the associations in which they are
- accepted. The Number 1 Inter-American Alter for the 1992-93 show
- season in ACFA was a blue bi-color Ragdoll, which exemplifies the
- beauty and appeal of this breed.
-
- The IRCA Ragdolls are not accepted in any association (except IRCA).
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- BREED CLUB
-
- _The Ragdoll Fanciers' Club International_ (RFCI) is the breed club
- for registrable Ragdolls. This club works with all the major cat
- registering associations to further the Ragdoll breed. It puts out a
- newsletter, Ragdoll World, and gives year-end awards for the highest
- scoring Ragdolls, regardless of what association they are shown in.
- * President: Wain Pearce
- * Secretary: Nancy Gellerman
-
- There are also Regional Directors who can be contacted. The RFCI
- secretary would be able to help you with this information.
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- BREEDERS
-
- You can contact the RFCI for more information on Ragdolls or for a
- list of registered RFCI breeders. You can also speak with breeders at
- cat shows. Ragdolls are more commonly seen at TICA or ACFA shows.
-
- Ragdoll breeders are also listed in such magazines as "Cat Fancy" and
- "Cats Magazine". Be cautious as to whether you are contacting an IRCA
- breeder or a breeder who produces the standardized, registerable
- (RFCI) Ragdolls. When looking at the breeders' advertisements in
- periodicals such as "Cat Fancy" or "Cats Magazine," note that the RFCI
- Ragdolls are listed with the other breeds, but the IRCA Ragdolls are
- listed in a separate area apart from the other breeds. To acquire a
- standardized, registerable Ragdoll, consult the RFCI breeders section.
-
- To contact Ragdoll breeders online, visit the Ragdoll breeders section
- of the Fanciers Breeder Referral List at
- http://www.fanciers.com/breedlist/.
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- Ragdoll FAQ
- Jill Keating, jkeating@fre.fsu.umd.edu
- Last updated 1/2/97.
-