Ragdolls..........................
The Ragdoll is an American cat breed. The Ragdoll is a large cat when fully grown with a semi long haired coat that's silky
to the touch.
The Ragdoll is best known for its docile and placid temperament and amazingly affectionate nature. They seek out human
companionship at every opportunity and will never be far from your side.
"Dogs have masters Cats have slaves Ragdolls demand neither........ Just giving of endless love With any encounter enriching the sole" (Hamilton 06)The name "Ragdoll" is derived from the popular misconception that Ragdolls go completely limp and relax when picked up.
However the majority of my Ragdolls do go floppy when handled. I believe that this 'floppiness' is as a result of the Ragdoll
nature, rather than frame or composition. The floppiness I think is as a result of complete trust and relaxation when
being handheld. The Ragdoll's impeccable and generous personality oozes through, even when being picked up and moved.
I sit here, writing this, with a Ragdoll on my lap (Nutkins), another crying (at the one on my lap to get down) so she (fifi) can
come up onto my lap, my dear Bootiboy walking backward and forward across the keyboard, for maximum attention (that is
so annoying), another upstairs on the bed and last but never least one that has yet to make their demand. Ragdolls are very
apparent! If you have one you will know it! They are not an easy option as far as cats go. If you want an independent
low maintenance cat DONT GET A RAGDOLL. Should you however, never want your life to be the same again, you want
to be love, needed (24/7), be a little nuts and spend all your money on a fluffball................GET A RAGDOLL.
When you do go out its a good idea to leave the TV or radio on for your cat (its good for your home security to). In
winter months please leave the heating on for your cat so he still feels cosy and safe.
Their confirmation.
Ragdoll's have a sturdy body with a large frame, proportionate legs, and a soft coat with Siamese-style points. Adult cats can weigh
10-20 lbs, without being considered obese. A Ragdoll continues growing up to their third birthday. A Ragdoll's walk can look
disjointed or ungainly; this is correct for the the breed and type.
Their beginnings
Ragdoll's were 'created' in the 1960's by Ann Baker, a Persian breeder from California. Ms Baker created the foundations
of the Ragdoll breed by selecting kittens out of (Josephine) a semi-feral longhaired white female Persian/Angora type,
sired by several unknown male Birman-like or Burmese-like cats, one with Siamese type markings. Hence my love of
the Birman, look at 'The cats' and see Miss Prim.
Out of those early litters came Blackie, an all black Burmese-like male and Daddy Warbucks, a seal point with white feet. Daddy
Warbucks sired the founding bi-color female (Fugianna) and Blackie sired (Buckwheat) a dark brown/black Burmese-like female.
Both Fugianna and Buckwheat were daughters of Josephine. All Ragdoll and RagaMuffin cats are descended from Ann Baker's cats through mating of Daddy Warbucks to Fugianna and Buckwheat.
By selecting individuals with the look and temperament she wanted for her breeding program, Ann Baker created the standard Ragdoll.
Denny and Laura Dayton are credited with bringing the Ragdoll breed to worldwide recognition by various cat registration organisations. What is known is that this breed was selectively bred over many years for desirable traits, such as large size, gentle demeanor, and a tendency to go limp when picked up, as well as the striking pointed coloration.
Non-pointed cats were excluded and later became the basis for the spin-off breed, the RagaMuffin. Ann Baker's claims that her new breed had been genetically-modified by scientists and aliens (aka a Gin-head). Her strict control of the breeding programs (of those who bred the early Ragdolls) made her both controversial and legendary in name of Ragdoll history.
Ragdolls do require grooming and good nutrition to give them an overall fluffy and healthy appearance. It is said that the coat of a Ragdoll will not matt. This is untrue; maybe they matt less than other SLH breeds but they will matt under their arms and around the neck if not groomed. It is also a myth that Ragdolls do not shed their coats (believe me they do!), their coat is easier to manage than many other long-haired breeds though with weekly combing to remove loose hairs and prevent matts. Bathing is rarely needed but is well-tolerated, as is nail-clipping. Bathing cats is now widely recognised to reduce *allergens!
Ragdoll's come in 6 different colors - seal, blue, flame, and "dilutes"; chocolate, lilac, and cream. There are 3 different patterns: Pointed (nose, ears, tail and paws in the specific colors), Mitted - white paws, chin and tummy, with or without a blaze (a white line on the face), Bicolor - white tall socks, white inverted 'V' on the face, white tummy and often white patches on the back, Torti Point and Tabby Point (otherwise known as lynx).
Famous Ragdolls
The presenters of long-running CBBC TV program, Blue Peter, have two Ragdoll cats amongst their team. The first was named Socks after a viewers vote. Later the BBC revealed that in fact the voters first choice had been Cookie. The program then acquired a second Ragdoll kitten that they named Cookie!!
The Algonquin Hotel in New York City keeps a Ragdoll in its lobby. This tradition of keeping a cat dates to the 1930s; males are named "Hamlet" and females, "Matilda." The current Matilda is an 11-year-old female Ragdoll from Villaroyal Ragdolls, who strolls the lobby and sweetly greets guests from her position on the front desk. She was recently named 'Cat of The Year' at the Westchester Cat Show in Westchester County, New York. Matilda has a signature cocktail in the hotel bar.
ref' Wicopedia '08
Allergens, allergies and interesting stuff on cats and their care to reduce allergens.
It is a misconception that people who are allergic to cats are allergic to cats because of the cat's hair; instead it's caused by the protein secretions from the cat's sebaceous glands and from their salivary glands. As cats groom fastidiously they're likely to have lots of dried saliva on their hair.
So to reduce allergens it is a good idea, from the onset, to get your cat used to being groomed. So as soon as you get your kitten home get his brush out (well the next day will do). I groom all my kittens and therefore when you get one of mine home rest assured s/he will be used to this. I can sell (if you ask) special kitten brushes. They are smaller than your 'cat sized brush' and therefore a far less invasive tool of grooming. Grooming is hopefully something your cat will enjoy, it is also good bonding time for you both to share
My cats prior to a show are bathed. This is something they have got used to but I recommend that you need to be a very confident 'cat handler' before attempting this. If you do use a bath mat so your cat feels it has a safe footing, use baby shampoo so as not to hurt your cats eyes or other delicate areas and a slow (quietly) running warm shower. Make sure when you bath your cat the ambient temperature of the room is very warm, cats have a higher body temperature to us. Following a bath dry your cat off ASAP and keep him warm until completely dry. Practice makes for a confident cat in the shower but its not something to be attempted unless you have a good and trusting relationship with your cat and you feel confident enough to do so.
The alternative to bathing is to wipe your cat over with a damp cloth , to reduce the build up of saliva. This is known to be very affective and far more 'available' to you as a cat owner on a regular basis than bathing. You can buy 'Chamois' type leathers from pet stores that when dampened won't make your cat too wet. They also create a little drag upon the cats coat, so this will dislodge any loose hair but I still recommend brushing after this process.
Another misconception is that shorthaired cats are less likely to provoke allergies. Research has shown that there's a lot of variation in the secretions that cats produce, and longhaired cats may not be any worse, or may even be better in some instances than shorthaired cats.
At the moment in the UK there are no breeders of hypoallergenic cats, however in America they do. They have created a cat has been genetically modified so as not to produce allergic secretions. I have heard that they retail at about $8000.00 and there is a waiting list!
There are (so the scientists say) safer options when choosing you less allergenic cat. Apparently male cats produce substantially more of the protein secretions that cause the allergic reactions than female cats. So a female is the better option. However If you own a male cat, neutering will help control the secretions that cause the allergy, as a neutered male produce less of these secretions than non-neutered male. I fear though that there's no guarantee that a female, or a neutered cat will be safe for someone who is 'allergic' to cats.
www.myragdollcatsandkittens.com
Ragdolls are addictive, once you have one you will want another and another and so it goes on. Ragdolls are loyal, amusing and (as I have mentioned before) needy. I therefore feel they deserve special homes. Most of us work these days but if the owner is away from the home for long periods of time, on a regular basis , I think a Ragdoll is not suitable choice of cat. The Ragdoll is a house cat that is totally dependant on you for company, affection and stimulation, therefore not being there to provide these essential 'items' that amount to the happiness of your Ragdoll,will reflect significantly on his wellbeing and emotional welfare if your are not there. I can't say how many hours of being out of the house is OK and equally what's too much but I feel a new (potential ) owner knows instinctively (if being utterly honest with themselves) knows. As a guide I think four hours a day, for four days out of seven is enough.Having more than one cat is not a solution, as you now will have two cats that need your company and are suffering as a result of you being away.
