Ragdoll Cat

• Size: Large, 12 to 20 lbs
• Energy Level: 2/5
• Talkative: 3/5
• Coat: Semi-longhaired, smooth and very silky
• Hypoallergenic: No
• Seeking: I get along with everyone
• Child Friendly: I love kids!
• Personality Snapshot: Laid back and very gentle, loves to lounge, not so fond of climbing but likes water, will go limp when picked up

My Looks

Not into skinny model types?

Then you’ll love me. I’m as big and beautiful as they come. And my size is hardly due to my thick coat – I actually am large and muscular. In fact, I can easily reach 15 pounds or more by the time I’m fully grown.

If you think you can handle that, read on.

I want to clarify that I am not fat, mind you – I’m just naturally big-boned. I know chubby people tend to use that euphemism, but in my case, it really is true. I possess a bigger bone structure than most breeds and to top it off, my already stocky frame is buff-ed up even further by my well-developed muscles.

But I’m not just some average muscle-head feline. The interesting thing about my looks is that my stocky, muscular frame is offset by a sinfully luxurious coat, of the sort you’d be hard-pressed to find even in the most high-end boutiques. It’s thick. It’s dense. And it’s amazingly, addictively soft to the touch.

Go on, try it. You might never want to stop.

And this beautiful coat of mine comes in an almost endless array of color combinations and patterns. I can sport one in cream, red, lilac, chocolate, blue and seal, but I can also flaunt a solid, tortie or lynx coat. I can even sport one with a lynx and tortie combination or “torbie” as it’s referred to in the world of cat fancy.

Nature has been very generous with my lovely coat. It not only covers my body, but even my large head is profusely decked out with tufts of soft, luscious fur. They stick out of my ears. They shoot out of my puffy cheeks. And you can bet you won’t be able to discern my neck under the thick richness of coat that winds it like a feather boa.

Speaking of boas, have you checked out my tail? I told you – I’ve been blessed. Very blessed.

The one feature my lush fur doesn’t obscure just happens to be yet another of my best assets: my mesmerizing, large blue eyes. Admittedly, the color can vary a bit from one cat to another, but they all have the captivating sapphire shade that people unwittingly fall in love with.

My Personality

My closest friends have dubbed me the gentle giant.

True to my nickname, I’m larger and stockier than most pedigreed cats but I have one of the most laid-back and easy-going dispositions.

The way I see it, life is meant to be enjoyed. Slowly.

That’s why I like to take things nice and easy every day. I am probably one of the most leisurely felines you’ll ever meet. This disposition of mine is why I get on so well with older humans, as well as cat newbies who’re looking for a more laid-back relationship.

I also adore kids. I love being with them and will rarely protest even if they decide to parade me around in a mini-buggy or make me wear doll clothes. And I’d never even think to retaliate with my claws if the game we’re playing has become too rough for my taste. My laid-back nature is more prone to walk and play somewhere else when that happens.

Oh, a note about my calm personality: just ’cause I’m easy-going doesn’t mean I’m uninterested.

Did you know that I earned the nickname “puppycat” because I like to follow my humans all around the house

Whether you’re doing a bit of vacuuming in the living room or whipping something up in the kitchen, you can count on me to be there. Relaxing, of course.

And as much as I love my humans, my gentle nature doesn’t just apply to those I’m close with. I’m actually considered one of the most sociable cats you can ever have as a pet and I can easily warm up to new people and other pets.

Strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet, is what I always say.

As such, I love meeting new friends and I’ll allow pretty much anyone to pick me up on our first encounter. Supposedly, this is why you shouldn’t take me outside without watching me closely. I’m easy bait for catnappers, I hear.

Speaking of going outside, I love it! I don’t mind wearing a leash and I’ll happily accompany you for a stroll outside. And if you can consistently train me, I’m even game to learn a few tricks. Maybe we can play a game of fetch or two when we get bored of walking.

If you think this penchant for the outdoors is strange, I should let you know yet another quirk of mine: I have a thing for the sound of water. That doesn’t mean I want to take a dip or anything; I just enjoy the swish and splash of the water in the sink or bathroom. So don’t be surprised when I barge in the bathroom while you’re taking a shower or in the tub just to hear the noise the water is making.

It’s like music to my ears. Unlike the more unpleasant sounds of other felines meow-ing. I don’t understand why some cats insist on making all that noise. I, myself, prefer to communicate with gentle coos and trills. Or a soft meow when something really interesting catches my attention.

You’ll rarely hear me getting really vocal, unless my food or water bowl needs refilling. But that’s an emergency.

As you can probably tell by now, I am not a very demanding cat when it comes to attention. Although I won’t pass up a chance to play a game or two with my human companions, I don’t get restless and anxious when I’m left alone for too long, especially when I’ve got a lot of toys to play with.

I also won’t be knocking stuff out of your cabinets and bookshelves when you’re not around since I have very little interest in climbing. I much prefer to spend my day at ground level. Jumping on your lap for a vigorous belly rub or a scratch behind the ears is about as high as I’m willing to go.

And just in case you’re wondering, my breed is named “Ragdoll” because I am said to become totally limp and motionless like my namesake when picked up by my guardians. So feel free to pick me up – if you can.

My Ideal Human

Due to my easy-going nature, I am compatible with a wide variety of humans from first time cat owners to parents with young kids, as well as older people who are looking for a feline who won’t be too demanding to have around.

My Roots

My breed began to take root in the early 1960’s when a female pure white Angora and Persian mix named Josephine caught the eye of an avid cat fancier and breeder living in Riverside, California by the name of Ann Baker.

Apart from having stunning visual appeal, Josephine was also very friendly and didn’t shy away from people who gave her a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. This really impressed Baker considering Josephine strayed most of the time in their neighborhood and was regarded as undomesticated by a lot of people in the community.

Although Baker was primarily a Persian breeder, she thought Josephine’s striking looks and calm disposition were too good to pass up. Baker decided to pair her experimentally with Persian and Siamese tomcats that she had in her care. This breeding program produced two male kittens, Daddy Warbucks and Blackie.

Daddy Warbucks was eventually paired with one of Blackie’s daughters, which produced Raggedy Ann Kyoto and Raggedy Ann Tiki. He was subsequently bred with Buckwheat, another daughter, which resulted in the birth of Fugianna.

In 1966, Baker moved to register Fugianna, Raggedy Ann Tiki, Raggedy Ann Kyoto and Daddy Warbucks in the roster of the National Cat Fanciers’ Association (NCFA).

Fascination with our fledgling breed constantly grew soon after that. Realizing there were a lot of fanciers looking to help proliferate the breed, Ann Baker put up the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) to establish strict breeding guidelines and rules to keep the breed’s standards up to par.

However, most of Baker’s fellow breeders broke away from her leadership because she was getting too eccentric with her breeding guidelines. Some of them, most notably Denny and Laura Deyton, decided to carry on with their breeding programs without Baker’s involvement.

The Deytons were also instrumental with our breed’s acceptance in most cat registries, like the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1993. Thanks to all their efforts, my breed was finally awarded our CFA championship in 2000.

How to Keep Me Healthy and Happy

Taking care of me is a breeze, which makes me an ideal pet for cat fanciers of all levels. Now while I may sport a semi-longhaired coat, it isn’t as demanding to maintain compared to other breeds. I just need to have a careful weekly combing at least to keep it from getting matted or extra kinky.

The one thing you’ll want to watch out for is, well, I have a penchant for eating. Make sure you keep an eye on how much you’re putting in my food bowl or I might start accruing pounds I don’t need, which can quickly lead to obesity.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am not one to pass up a treat so please take it easy. You’ll have to be in control of this one ’cause treats are my weak spot.

Fun Facts

• I’m a bit of a late bloomer – it typically takes four years for me to fully mature, which is quite slow compared to other cats but means you get to enjoy a longer period of cute kitten antics and energy.

• Ann Baker insisted that the kittens Josephine gave birth to were bigger and stockier because government scientists supposedly altered her genes? when she was taken to a medical center after being accidentally hit by a car. I still wonder about this sometimes…