They were so named the "Ragdolls" by their original breeder, Anne Baker, due to their ability to go limp like a childs rag doll when held.
The first few litters included such cats as Daddy Warbucks, Fugianna, Geuber, Buckwheat, Mitts, Kyota and Tiki.
The focus was on, from the very first, to produce cats with extra ordinary personalities and wonderful dispositions. Ragdolls are affectionate bundles of fluff that become much loved family members soon after they arrive in their new homes. They are placid and tolerant of children and other family pets. It will be quite content to be left alone for extended periods of time in a safe environment that it is familiar with.
Although, it's best to keep your Ragdoll indoors, it is possible to train it to walk on a leash.
It is a semi long haired cat witha long bushy tail. Their coat is soft and silky and very dense when at its thickest, it parts similar to lambs wool as the cat walks.
All Ragdolls have blue eyes, their body is elongated, sturdy, firm and heavy in the hind quarters with a tendency to a "fatty pad" on the lower abdomen. The head is the slowest part to grow and as such it can often appear smallish in comparison to their long bodies.
A Ragdolls voice is usually quiet and soft sounding, almost like a musical note.
Either a male or female makes an equally affectionate pet and due their mellow charcter, sweet nature and mild mannerisms they have proven invaluable in therapy situations and less allergenic than other long haired cats, this is due to them having no undercoat.
They are very much people oriented and become devoted to their owners. Ragdolls cope very well with confined living quarters, but are very inquisitive and will smell out everything in your home before they feel totally relaxed. The tendency for the Ragdoll to go limp is most definately there but you may not see it until the cat feels perfectly relaxed in a stress free home. Some may settle in almost immediately, others may take a little longer to adjust. They learn family habits and routines fairly quickly and preferably live indoors.
Whilst it is still natural instinct to hunt, this is minimal in comparison to other breeds
A gentle combing once or twice a week with a stainless steel comb is adequate.
Ragdolls shed their coats once per year, which can be extremely thick during winter and extremely short in summer.
Listerine Mouth Wash is really good to wipe ears out during the grooming session as this cleans the ear as a deterrent to ear mite.
In time they will grow to be larger than other cats and they have large appetites, but don't fall into the trap of over feeding. What isn't eaten within 15 minutes, take away.
Bathing a Ragdoll cat isn't difficult and when kept inside this is rarely needed, unless you're invloved in the show ring.
Ragdolls have no known genetic diseases or defects. They are healthy, robust cats and if fed a well balanced diet and cared for in clean surroundings, they should live a long healthy life.
Ragdolls are slow to develop and can take up to three years before they reach full maturity, size and colour.
Brush or comb once or twice per week.
5ml of Paraffin Oil once or twice per week or
feed a can of sardines with the oil twice per week or
buy commercial preparation at a pet shop
