What A Ragdoll Is Like To Live With

Let us take a closer look at what a Ragdoll is really like to live with. They are large, semi-longhaired cats, with a strong muscular feel to them. Their coat is said to be non-mating, but rest assured, if you neglect it, knots will appear, especially under the front and hind legs. Make grooming fun for your pet and he will look forward to this special time with you each day. A thorough grooming is recommended at least twice a week. Their coats are soft and silky with beautiful ruffs and knickerbockers, often look their best in the winter months as with many of the other semi-longhair breeds. Coat length varies with the individual, with neuters usually having a longer, more luxurious look to them. This is because, as we all know, neuters haven’t the hormones that play havoc with their systems!

They come in the universally accepted colours of Seal, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Red, Cream, in Solid Points, Tortie Points, Tabby Points and Tortie Tabby Points, Which may be transposed over each of the three accepted patterns of Colourpointed, Mitted and Bicolour. Chocolate and Lilac are a little more difficult to aquire.

The Ragdoll should have a good length to his body, with a long tail to balance and with good strong bone and large round tuffted paws to support his frame. With their broad head and width between their medium size well furnished ears, medium length nose with its retrousse tip, and of course their most outstanding feature, their eyes. From the deepest Sapphire to the most delicate China Blue, they have an expression like no other cat. The Ragdoll is a perfectly balanced cat, with no extreme abnormalities and it remains the policy of The British Ragdoll Cat Club to maintain this original type, so that the Ragdoll of today still appears similar to those Ragdolls that founded the breed.

When all is said and done, the vast majority of Ragdoll kittens, as in any other breed, are sold as pets. Those who buy them don’t really mind if the ear is set a little high, the nose is a little straight, the eyes aren’t the deepest blue or the markings a little off centre. They want the TEMPERAMENT. For this is what the Ragdoll is most famous.

Ragdolls have a wonderfully gentle, laid back temperament and their popularity as the ideal house pet who are totally devoted to their owners has become legendary. As kittens they are full of life and inquisitive and as they mature they become very loving, trusting cats who follow their owners everywhere. They love human company and are super with children, but since the boys grow to be such large cats, often tipping the scales at around 15lbs, children do need to be shown how to hold them correctly by supporting them with both hands. Ragdolls have many puppy-like characteristics that are most endearing. They get to know their names and will come when called. They also love to play and any amount of love and affection given to a Ragdoll will be repaid over and over again. I have owned many different breeds including Siamese, Burman, Burmese, Persion. None have been as loving as my Ragdolls. I currently have a female called Milo who calls out for me, sleeps by me all night, follows me wherever I go. What a very special gift she is.

When introduced to the Ragdoll for the first time, you will be overwhelmed at just how beautiful they are. But the big difference with this breed is that, although the kittens are pretty, soft and fluffy, the adults are STUNNING. They are one of the few breeds that actually get better with age. How a kitten looks when first seen, bears no resemblance to how it will look when taken home at 13 weeks. He will look different again at 1 year old and that same kitten will look even more beautiful at 2 years old, developing into a magnificent 4 year old adult.

So, what DO you get when you buy a Ragdoll? Certainly NOT a dim witted creature who sits around all day doing nothing. Certainly NOT the cushion cat which it was once portrayed to be, but a stunningly beautiful individual, with almost a sense of humour all of it’s own. A cat who will meet you at the door when you return home, who will chatter to you when the mood takes them, who will rely on you to give them all the love so that they will be able to return it to you ten fold. Certainly NOT a cat that can be ignored. Just one small word of warning…, ONE is usually not enough!…… . It has been said before. It has to be said once more……, RAGDOLLS ARE ADDICTIVE…………

Extract of an article in ‘Our Cats’ magazine written by Chris Powell