by Jennifer Gray

Created on: April 03, 2009   Last Updated: August 06, 2009

Ragdoll the Docile

The Ragdoll is one of the newest cat breeds, starting in the early 1960s. The urban legend is one that tells of an American named Ann Baker, who owned a Persian cat named Josephine. Josephine was pregnant when she was involved in a tragic accident which left her with permanent injuries. When the kittens were finally born, they had a placid temperament, and were completely relaxed when they were picked up and cuddled. The kittens were allegedly unable to feel pain or fear and refused to fight other animals. Though some of these claims are genetically impossible, the Ragdoll is, in fact, the most docile of the breeds.

These beautiful, large cats, as a female, reach between 5-10lbs with males reaching up to 20lbs. Their colours are very similar to the Siamese breed; light colours with darker points on their tail, face, ears and legs. They mostly look after their own grooming but every once in awhile, it's good to comb them as well. Ragdolls have long, muscular bodies with broad chests. They have heavy boned legs and a large flat skull.

The original breeder was quoted as saying, these cats are "the closest one can get to a real live baby and have an animal". The Ragdoll cats adore their humans. They will run and greet you at the door, follow you about and sit with you once you settle. They've been compared to dogs at times because of some of their mannerisms.

Ragdolls are good with children, elderly and dogs as they aren't aggressive. They don't tend to climb on the furniture as they prefer the floor and they are quiet. Given their docile nature, they should only be indoor cats and should never be outside without supervision. Ragdolls seem to lack in the "street smarts" to be able to defend themselves and to run when it's required. Because they are so trusting by nature, it makes them easy prey to others that mean them harm.

Many clubs, all over the world, have been started in admiration to these beautiful cats such as, the "Ragdoll Club" in Denmark, "The British Ragdoll Club" in Britain, "The Finnish Ragdoll Fanciers Association" in Finland and the "Ragdoll-Arbeits-Gemeinschaft" in Germany.

Sources
"Cat Breeds of the World" Desmond Morris 1999
"Cats and Kittens" Darbyshire 1998
"The Beauty of Cats" Adams and Pearcy 1995
"Beautiful Cat from Family Pets to Pedigrees" Howard Loxton
http://www.rfwclub.org/foutside.htm
http://www. rfci.org/info/how_to_buy_a_kitten.php
http://www.ragg lerock.com/ragdoll/profile/index.asp

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