The history and background of the Ragdoll Race

Contrary to what you read and hear in the media, the RAGDOLL is definitely not an ordinary cat, and it is absolutely not true that the RAGDOLL cannot feel pain.

ORIGINS

The way in which the RAGDOLL has evolved with its own particular attributes, which are different from other cats, is now something of a legend.   The race originated in Riverside, California, where there lived a cat called Josephine. This cat, which was like a white Angora with blue eyes, was later acknowledged as the first of the whole RAGDOLL race.  Josephine was involved in a car accident, following which she had her first litter of kittens.  These kittens all had blue eyes, long silky hair and a very loving nature.  The kittens seemed to grow much larger than normal and this attracted the attention of the owner, Ann Baker.  She began to breed with Josephine and a thoroughbred Birman.  Out of this first cross came a seal-mitted male called "Raggedy Ann Daddy Warbucks", which was then mated with its' mother.  From this cross a seal bi-colour cat,  "Raggedy Ann Fugiana" was born. "Warbucks" was again crossed with a Burmese (of a darker colour).  This litter with the name of 'Buckwheat' contained a seal colour point called "Raggedy Ann Tiki".  These cats were the original ancestors and founders of the new race known as RAGDOLL, which was recognised in the 1950's

CHARACTER

RAGDOLLS are calm, pleasant and very easygoing cats.  They are wonderful "cuddly toys"! When picked up, a RAGDOLL has complete confidence in the handler and relaxes, which is why a RAGDOLL feels just like a real rag doll!

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

The RAGDOLL really enjoys human companionship and will normally stay close to you.  They are always good-humoured and very inquisitive.  They investigate everything and like to help!  They are well-balanced animals that are not easily impressed.  They adapt quickly to new surroundings and situations.  They get on well with their fellow cats, dogs and other domestic animals.  Children love them.  They will never use their claws without good reason – only if absolutely necessary.  In threatening situations their first reaction is to flee.

COLOURS:

RAGDOLLS are bred in the following colours: blue, seal, lilac, chocolate and red.

MAIN VARIETIES:

Seal, mitted, blue, lynx, bicolor, tortie and red

 

THE BEVER CATTERY

 My name is Maria Van Goethem and I am married to Emiel Van Puyvelde.

I would like to tell you the story of how I became interested in cats in general and specifically RAGDOLLS.

My husband retired from the police force and his hobby was breeding racing pigeons.  I ran a Solarium, and was also busy looking after my elderly parents.  My husband complained that he had to work harder in the Solarium than before he had retired and he asked me to give up the business and to find a hobby.  I saw a programme on the Dutch television about cats including RAGDOLLS and was immediately enthralled by them.  I had found my hobby!  My husband said to wait until I had actually seen the cats before I started and so we visited a number of shows where RAGDOLLS were being exhibited.  In reality they were even lovelier than in the television programme.  We bought a bi-colour male and a seal point female and then we bought a blue lynx point mitted male. We have two more males and there are two more females coming from the USA from the breeder JJ's Purrecious

Our female Chiquita (from Switzerland), and our Blue lynx point mitted male, 'Priority Choice', (from the USA), are now 'Great European Champions' and already have two of the three qualifications required to become CACM's.

 

THE RAGAMUFFIN,

What is a Ragamuffin, this is a variant of the Ragdoll. The Ragamuffin is already reconized in the USA The Ragamuffin have been already recognised in America as a race separate. Here in Europe he has been known better as the Ragdoll mink, what is an error. Therefore now, since beginning the month august 2008 has been decided in Germany on a global conference of WCF and other organisations that the Ragdoll mink now must be Ragamuffin, on the expositions he will be separately  inspected as Ragamuffin and no longer as Ragdoll mink. What is a Ragamuffin, it is by standard the same as the Ragdoll, except the eye colour and the furr colour. The eye colour can be aquamarine or Yellow-Green, no Blue eyes such as the Ragdoll. The furr colour may be colored pointed or classic, will say, expl., may be black, blue, Red or bi-color, etc. The Ragamuffin cannot be sold as Ragdoll, on the pedigree must be mentioned as a RACE, RAGAMUFFIN. The BRKV will apply this measure as a first in Belgium.