- Breed name: RAGDOLL
- Origin: USA
- Size: Large
- Average life expectancy: 15 – 25 years
Ragdoll got it’s name from the English word which literally means “rag doll”. They have a special trait, that when you take it in your hands, they completely relax and flake like a doll made of fabric. They are extremely calm, obedient and have great confidence in their owner and for that reason they are so relaxed in their arms. They are one of the most popular cats among pets.
ORIGIN
It was developed in the 60s of the last century, in California, by Anne Baker. It is not known exactly which breeds were involved in the developing of the ragdoll breed, but it is considered that they are Burmese, Persian and Burmese. The behavior of the “rag doll” was caused by a genetic mutation that was passed on to the offspring. The ragdoll breed quickly gained great popularity.
APPEARANCE
Ragdoll is one of the biggest cats, strong, and muscular. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front ones. The paws are large, round and covered with fur. Ears slightly rounded and set in advance. The head is of medium size, round cheeks, and rounded muzzle. The eyes are large and round, blue in color. Their tail is long. The weight ranges from 5 to 7 kg in females, and up to 9 kg in males.
The coat is of medium length, and the fur is thick, silky and soft, reminiscent of rabbit fur. The main feature of the ragdoll breed is two-colored “pointed” hair, which means that they have darker and lighter shades properly distributed on the body. They have a specific mask on the face, there are three variants: bicolor, pointed, and mitted, and they all have specific darker shades.
CHARACTER
They have boundless trust in her owner, and are also gentle, and elegant. They enjoy being in arms, cuddling and brushing. Ragdoll has the behavior of a dog, meaning that they like to greet the owner and follow them from room to room. With a soft meow, they will say that they are hungry or want to play. They like to be at the height of people and are usually on an armchair or bed. Ragdoll loves the game and is curious. When playing, they will almost never show their claws. They can learn tricks easily, because they love reward. Also, they get along well with other cats and dogs.
HEALTH AND CARE
As far as health is concerned, hereditary diseases appear: heart disease, bladder stones and they are prone to the feline peritonitis virus. At birth, they are completely white, and later, typical pointed patterns appear. They reach full maturity at the age of 4.
Ragdoll does not have undercoat and does not need special care, it is enough for them to have occasional bathing and brushing once a week.
STATISTICS
(from 1 to 5)
- Energy level: 2
- Playfulness level: 3
- Relationship to other pets: 4
- Attitude towards children: 4
- Independence: 2
- Required maintenance : 4