RAGDOLL ISLANDS
History
The beginning of the Ragdoll breed is clouded in mystery. The Ragdoll breed was developed by Ann Baker in Riverside, California. It originated in 1964 with the first kittens being named as Ragdolls in 1965.
Ann began trying to develop the Ragdoll breed sometime in 1963. Ann borrowed from her neighbors a cat that had the appearance of the Sacred Cat of Burma. She bred this cat to Josephine who was a white angora cat and that produced Daddy Warbucks. Ann also acquired Josephine’s daughter, Buckwheat. Ann mated Daddy Warbucks to Josephine and produced Fugianna. These became the foundation cats in creating the Ragdoll breed. It is from these four cats: Josephine, Daddy Warbucks, Fugianna, and Buckwheat – that Ragdolls are descended. Of these four, only Daddy Warbucks and Fugianna were registered as Ragdolls in the National Cat Fanciers Association (NCFA) in 1966.
Excerpt from Ragdoll Historical Society
Ragdoll Traits
Ragdolls are large, laid-back, semi long-haired cats with captivating blue eyes. The Ragdoll cat is carefully bred to produce large affectionate animals. Altered males will usually top the scale at 15-20 pounds; females are proportionately smaller and usually weigh between 10-15 pounds at maturity. Ragdolls are slow-maturing, reaching full coat color at two years, and full size and weight at four.
Ragdoll cats tend to be more interested in humans than most breeds of cats. They are known to run to greet you at the door, follow you from room to room, flop on you, sleep with you, and generally choose to be where you are. Many Ragdolls have been taught to come when called and play fetch. They are gentle cats, and usually play without extending their claws. Ragdolls tend to be floor cats, not jumpers. The Ragdoll’s semi long coat is plush and silky, and requires minimal grooming to keep it looking its best. Ragdolls, just like all breeds of cats, will shed, usually with the change of seasons.The absence of the thick, dense, insulating undercoats results in reduced shedding and matting.
Excerpt from Cat Fanciers’ Association
Grooming
Brushing your Ragdoll coat twice a week ensures the natural oils in the cat's skin spreads all over the coat. This will keep the coat healthy and shiny. Ragdolls are beautiful cats who are extremely docile and affectionate. Once you begin with the grooming ritual, not only your cat, but you too will enjoy the process. It is a great way to build a bond of trust and friendship with your cat.
Health
All our Ragdoll breeders have tested negative for FIV, FELV, we are an FIP free cattery. Our breeders are DNA tested, and are negative for HCM, PKD, MPS VI and other known genetic disorders.
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FIVCats who are infected with feline immunodeficiency virus may not show symptoms until years after the initial infection occurred. Although the virus is slow-acting, a cat’s immune system is severely weakened once the disease takes hold. This makes the cat susceptible to various secondary infections.
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FELVFeline leukemia virus is second only to trauma as the leading cause of death in cats, killing 85% of persistently infected felines within three years of diagnosis. The virus commonly causes anemia or lymphoma, but because it suppresses the immune system, it can also predispose cats to deadly infections.
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FIPFeline infectious peritonitis is a viral disease that occurs worldwide in wild and domestic cats. It is caused by a type of virus called a coronavirus, which tends to attack the cells of the intestinal wall.
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HCMFeline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a condition that causes the muscular walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s efficiency and sometimes creating symptoms in other parts of the body. Although the cause of HCM has not been clearly identified, and that mutations of several cardiac (heart) genes have been identified in some cats with this disease suggests that genetics plays a role.
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PKDPolycystic kidney disease is an inherited disorder in which small, closed, liquid-filled sacs develop in the tissue of the feline kidney. These sacs (cysts) tend to multiply in number and grow in size over time, eventually overwhelming normal kidney tissue and often leading to potentially fatal kidney failure. There is no explanation for the development of these cysts except for a genetic anomaly.
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MPS VIMucopolysaccharidoses are a group of metabolic disorders characterized by the accumulation of GAGs (glycosaminoglycans, or mucopolysaccharides) due to the impaired functions of lysosomal enzymes. It is the mucopolysaccharides which help in building bones, cartilage, skin, tendons, corneas, and the fluid responsible for lubricating joints.
AVAILABLE COLORING
BLUE COLOR
Should Be An Even Platinum Gray Or Bluish Tones, Shading Gradually Into A Lighter Color On The Belly And Chest. Points Should Be A Deeper Grayish-Blue Tone. Paw Pads And Nose Leather To Be A Dark Blue-Gray.
SEAL COLOR
Should Be An Even Pale Fawn Or Cream, Shading Gradually Into A Lighter Color On The Belly And Chest. Points Should Be Dense, Deep Seal Brown.
AVAILABLE PATTERNS
MITTED
Should Be An Even Pale Fawn Or Cream, Shading Gradually Into A Lighter Color On The Belly And Chest. Points Should Be Dense, Deep Seal Brown.
BICOLOR
White Inverted "V" On Face, Belly And All Four Legs.
COLOR POINT
Should Be An Even Platinum Gray Or Seal Brown Tones, Points Should Be A DeepTone. No White Present