Ragdoll

Coat and looks how to spot one

semi-long, silky colourpointed coat

A big, heavy-boned cat with a long, rectangular body, a broad chest and a long, bushy tail. The semi-long coat feels silky and plush, with plenty of guard hair and only a light undercoat, and it grows into a ruff around the neck and fluffy 'knickerbockers' on the back legs as the cat matures. Every Ragdoll is a pointed cat with large, oval, vivid blue eyes set in a broad, gently wedge-shaped head. Ragdolls grow slowly and may not reach full size and coat until around four years old.13645

Personality what they are like

A famously mellow cat that likes to be close to its people, often meeting them at the door and trailing them from room to room. Many relax completely when picked up, which gave the breed its name. Ragdolls are affectionate and quiet, stay playful well into adulthood, and are often happy to learn tricks such as fetching or coming when called. They tend to prefer floor level to high perches.1423

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low to moderate. Ragdolls are not very athletic and can lean towards lazy, so short daily sessions of interactive play such as wand toys, hunting games and fetch keep them fit and engaged.574

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The silky coat has little undercoat and mats less than many longhairs. Comb with a steel comb once or twice a week, more often during seasonal moults and while the kitten coat is changing to the adult coat. Trim nails regularly and include tooth care in the routine.1465

Home where they are happiest

Well suited to indoor and apartment life. Provide sturdy scratching posts and cat trees strong enough for a large cat, plus cosy low-level resting spots. If outdoor time is wanted, a secure enclosure or cat-proofed garden works better than free roaming.75

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete and balanced cat food matched to life stage and activity, in measured portions, with fresh water always available. Keep an eye on body condition, as this relaxed breed can gain weight easily.547

Company who they like around

Strongly people-oriented and happiest in a home where someone is around for much of the day. Usually gets along well with children, visitors and other pets.541

The story where it all began

The breed began in the early 1960s with Ann Baker of Riverside, California. Her foundation queen was Josephine, a white domestic longhair carrying the colourpoint gene, whose kittens had notably calm, trusting natures. Josephine's descendants, including the seal mitted male Daddy Warbucks and a black male called Blackie, formed the base of the breed, and the first Ragdolls were registered in 1965. Baker trademarked the Ragdoll name and set up her own registry, the International Ragdoll Cat Association, around 1971, with strict rules for her breeders. In 1975 Denny and Laura Dayton led a group that split away to seek mainstream recognition, and their standard became the basis for the one used by today's major registries. TICA accepted the breed for championship at its founding in 1979. Ragdolls reached Britain in 1981 through Pat Brownsell and Lulu Rowley, and the GCCF recognised them in 1990. CFA accepted the breed for registration in 1993 and for championship in 2000.2341

Recognised by the official bits

CFA

Accepted for registration 1993, championship status 20001

TICA

Accepted for championship competition when TICA was founded in 19794

GCCF

Recognised 1990; Section 2 (Semi-Longhair), Group 13

FIFe

Fully recognised, Category 1, EMS code RAG8