Ragdoll

Image credit: Janoid

Ragdoll - Breed Profile:

Origin: United States
Colors: Seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, read, and cream
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Longhair
Grooming: Weekly
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Low
Attention Requirement: Average
Overall: Easy to handle

The Ragdoll's character can be described by three simple words: obedient, sweet and neat.

Breed video: Ragdoll

The Ragdoll is the largest cat breed. These cats are known for their sweet nature, lovely colours and patterns, and soft fur that neither knots nor tangles. Due to these qualities, the Ragdoll has become one of the most popular longhair cats, topped by the Persian and the Maine Coon only.

Physical characteristics

Even though Ragdoll cats can be very large, there are many medium-sized Ragdolls. Their long, well-boned, and well-muscled body gives an impression of grace and power. Its form is rectangular with a broad chest and as broad hindquarters. The legs are medium in length; back legs are slightly longer. Ragdolls have a well-developed, strong chin placed in line with nose and the upper lip. The ears are moderately flared and have rounded tips, which continues the line of the wedge; they are medium in size, wide-set, and tilt forward. The eyes are large and round, slanted slightly. Their colour is vivid blue. Females may look considerably smaller than males. Mature males weigh 12 to 20 pounds (but neutered males are more likely to reach 20 pounds); mature females weigh 8 to 15 pounds.

Temperament

The Ragdoll's character can be described by three simple words: obedient, sweet and neat. They will go limp in your warm arms, but they will also gladly agree to play if you suggest that. They are easy-going cats with an adaptable nature, which makes them perfect indoor companions. They must be kept indoors because, basically, Ragdolls are friendly with strangers, so they may easily get into trouble if you let them out. They get on well with any member of the family including dogs, adults, and children. Usually, they are easily trained (for cats) and well-behaved. They are not very vocal, so if they have something important to say, they will meow in a soft and polite voice.

Ragdolls are easy-going cats with an adaptable nature, which makes them perfect indoor companions. Photo by Andreas Solberg

Coat and grooming

The Ragdoll's coat is long and fabulous. It does not knot so the cat does not require so much grooming as the Persian and the Maine Coon. The guard hair is abundant, and the undercoat is not very wooly. The fur is rather short on the face, and the tail has a splendid plume.
Ragdolls can come in the colourpoint, bicolor, and van patterns. The points may be smoke, shaded, solid, lynx, tortie-lynx, and tortie. Ragdolls come in seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, read, and cream colours.

Health

Ragdolls are healthy and have few breed-specific diseases. Hip dysplasia and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are two of them.

Other interesting facts

Ragdolls grow up in an unpredictable way. Kittens may grow steadily or have many periods of fast growth alternating with lulls. Generally, Ragdolls need 3-4 years to get their full size and weight.