Ragdoll

The Ragdoll is a breed of medium longhaired cat. It is best known for its docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature.

It is perhaps the gentlest and most easy-going of breeds.

They are non-aggressive to the point that many cats cannot or should not be let outside for prolonged periods as many will not defend themselves and most do not hunt.

The name "Ragdoll" derived from the fact that many of these cats go completely limp and relax when picked up. Ragdolls have a sturdy body, short legs, and a thick coat with Siamese-style points.

History

The breed had its origin in California in the 1960s with a cat named Josephine. Several wild and scientifically impossible stories were put out by the colorful breed founder regarding the origin and development of the Ragdoll breed, including extraterrestrials, kittens' traits and personality being affected by the mother's being hit by a car, and genetic alteration using human genes. None of these legends are scientifically supportable.

What is known is that this breed was selectively bred over many years for desirable traits, such as large size, gentle demeanor, and a tendency to go limp when picked up.

Characteristics

The Ragdoll is a large, semi-longhaired cat, exhibiting the pointed pattern in three varieties: colorpoint, bicolor, and mitted.

Coat colors can be seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac point colors, either with or without markings on the face and feet.

 In some associations, they are also available in non traditional colors, such as cream, red (flame), tortie and lynx point.

Their semi-long coats need minimal care and do not usually become matted with regular combing.

Ragdolls typically take up to 4 years to fully mature physically.

An adult male can weigh between 12 and 20 lb (5.4 - 9.0 kg), while the females can weigh between 10 and 15 lb (4.5 - 6.8 kg).

Culture

The presenters of long-running CBBC TV program, Blue Peter, have a Ragdoll cat amongst their team, whom they have aptly named "Socks", due to many young viewers' suggestions and then a decision from the team there.
Cy (kitten) was a ragdoll cat.

The Algonquin Hotel in New York City keeps a ragdoll in its lobby. This tradition of keeping a cat dates to the 1930s; males are named Hamlet and females Matilda. The current Matilda is an 11-year old female ragdoll from Villaroyal Ragdolls; she strolls the lobby and perches on the front desk. She was recently named cat of the year at the Westchester Cat Show in Westchester County, New York. Matilda has a signature cocktail in the hotel bar; her likeness is on a children's book and Christmas ornament.