subject: Ragdoll Kittens The Mellow Cats [print this page] Have you heard of Ragdoll cats? Ever seen Ragdoll kittens? Many people are unaware of this very interesting breed. They were only established in the 1960s. They tend to be great pets. Here's an introduction to this intriguing breed.
Ann Baker, a cat breeder in the United States, had a neighbor with some interesting kittens. They were unusually docile. Picking one up was almost like picking up a rag doll. She acquired several of the kittens. Working with them over several years, she created the breed of Ragdoll cats.
Ann did not wish to work with the established cat registries, so she started the International Ragdoll Cat Association. She acquired a trademark on the word Ragdoll. For years she would only allow Ragdoll cats to be registered with the IRCA. The situation has evolved since then. She no longer controls the name, and the cats are now commonly registered in the standard cat registries.
Ragdoll cats have blue eyes, but otherwise they are very visually diverse. Three different patterns of six different basic color schemes are officially recognized. Besides being mellow, they tend to be large. A male can get up to 20 pounds, a female up to 15.
They are considered long haired cats, and like other long hairs, they shed, particularly during season changes. However, unlike many other long hairs, they don't have an undercoat of short hairs. This means they don't shed as much, so there is less clean up. They also don't need as much combing because they are less likely to develop matting in their hair.
If you have children, a Ragdoll cat might be a good pet for you. Their relaxed, mellow personalities enable them to tolerate much of the stress that active kids can cause a more anxious cat. They are usually kept as indoor pets because of their laid back nature. There is a concern that they might not be good at defending themselves.
These cats are more interested in humans than many other breeds. If you have one, it may follow you around the house and will sometimes come when called. They have been trained to play fetch. They like to play, but are fairly gentle about it.
In 1994, the Ragamuffin breed was started to compete with the Ragdoll. It is based on the original breed, but was called Ragamuffin because Ragdoll was still trademarked. It was intended to be a funny name, but people liked it so much that it is still in use.
The breed has become a recognized member of the standard repertoire of cat breeds. They can now be listed in the same cat registries that are used by most breeds today. People show them frequently. They are becoming available outside the United States.
So, see if you can find some Ragdoll kittens, if you are considering buying a feline pet. They are beautiful animals and often have very captivating personalities.
