About Ragdolls

Ragdolls are large, have blue eyes and a medium to long soft rabbit-like fur.  They are very relaxed cats and are very comfortable lying in the middle of the floor on their back with their four legs spread.  They have a quiet voice and some of them are very talkative especially around feed time. 

As kittens, they love a game and will play with anything.  They are not usually destructive and very rarely show their claws.  Be mindful that they are an indoor cat and will need a scratching post to keep their claws in good condition.

When you pick up a Ragdoll they are usually floppy and relaxed, and will, when they feel like it, lie in your arms and be a baby. 

They love having people around and because of their temperament will not readily defend when they are threatened.  We would like to think you are going to protect your Ragdoll and keep it indoors.  They can go outdoors if you are prepared to supervise them and they can be taught to walk on a lead.

The nature of the Ragdoll is more like a dog than a cat.  They will run to the door when they hear you come home and will follow you around.  They like to help with everything you do.  They will sit quite happily and watch you for hours.  They love having visitors and will usually not run and hide when they arrive.  All visitors belongings including handbags and eskies will be subject to inspection.

They like to ensure that tradesman are doing their job correctly and have the proper tools.  Apparently close supervision is required for tradesman. 

 

They love to see what you have bought home from the grocery shop and particularly like shoe boxes.  Did you know you can fit a Ragdoll into a shoe box no matter how small the box is or how big the cat is. After unpacking the groceries beware of the moving shopping bag. Hiding in shopping bags and ambushing the first moving object to pass is the highlight of many evenings.

Even though the Ragdoll has a moderately long coat they require little grooming, just a few minutes a week to remove loose fur.

Ragdolls are born white and their colour develops after a few days but to fully develop may take up to three or four years.   They can grow to be very large, especially the males which can weigh as much as nine kilos.

Ragdolls come in a variety of patterns and colours. The three main patterns recognized for show purposes are:

1. Pointed: Colour of the points(face, ears, legs and tail) a darker colour with a lighter body colour.
2. Mitted: The points, except for the feet, are darker as with the Pointed variety but the feet have short white mittens on the front and longer ones (up to about half way up the thigh) on the back legs.   They may also have a white blaze on the face and should have a white strip underneath running from the chin to under the tail.
3. Bicolour: Again the points are a darker colour than the body but this is overlaid with a white mask on the face in the form of an inverted V with the point of the V starting just above and between the eyes and the stomach and legs should all be white.   The body may also have some white markings.

The patterns come in a variety of colours which include Seal, Blue, Chocolate, and Lilac. The red or orange gene has been introduced into the Ragdoll and this has broadened the range of colours to include red and cream as well as seal and blue torties.   In addition, all patterns and colours may also be seen with the tabby or lynx pattern.