The Ragdoll grows large and heavy. Full maturity and color is not achieved until 2 years old and full weight and size is not expected for at least 4 years. The cat is firm and muscular with no fat except on the lower abdomen. Females are usually smaller than males. The coat is longest around the neck and gives the appearance of a bib. The fur is medium to long and feather-like. The eye color is blue. Ragdolls come in a variety of colors and patterns. The most common are the point, mitted, and bicolor. Colors are seal and blue with dilutes of both being chocolate and lilac. The newer patterns are the lynx, and tortie, and the newer colors are the flame (red) and cream.
The pointed Ragdoll has the color points to the ears, mask, feet, and tail, with the body color lighter than the points. They have NO white on them at all. The mitted Ragdoll has the legs (except for feet), ears, mask, and tail and may have a blaze of white on the nose or between the eyes. The chin is white. The back legs are white extending no higher than midthigh, and go entirely around the hocks. The body is a lighter shade of the points and a white belly stripe of various sizing from the bib between the forelegs to the under base of the tail. The Bicolor Ragdoll has points of color on the ears, mask, and tail. The mask has an inverted "v" that is symmetrical as possible but only extending as far as the outer eye on either side. The nose leather must be pink. The body is white on the chest, stomach, all four legs, feet, and ruff. The body color is a shade lighter that the points but may have various markings of white and color patches. The white should reach above the elbow on the front legs, and above the hocks on the rear legs. The lynx pattern may be in the bicolor , point, or mitted version but the color points bear a striped appearance. The Tortie pattern may also be in the bicolor, point, or mitted version but appears to have a "tortoise shell" appearance.
The Ragdoll breed is thought to have been achieved by crossbreeding from several breeds of cats although the Ragdoll's exact origin remains a mystery. One fact in this history is certain. The late Ann Baker originated the breed in California in the early 1960's. Ann Baker, an experienced breeder of Persian cats owned a feral white longhaired cat named Josephine. There are stories that this cat was struck by a car and after her recovery the very traits the Ragdoll is known for today were to have been produced. Another "myth" or account told was that Josephine was genetically altered in an experimental government facility during her treatment after her accident. This was to have been the reason the kittens she had displayed unusual passiveness and a tendency to go limp in one's arms. Although these are said to be MYTHS, the Ragdoll actually does have the ability to go limp in one's arms most likely due to its trusting and docile nature. Regardless of speculation and myth, Ann Baker set out to breed what we now know today as the large, heavy build, matresistant fur, super docility, and non aggressive natured Ragdoll.
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