The Ragdoll Breed

The Ragdoll , a medium to large breed cat, has blue eyes. Although a pointed breed, meaning the Ragdoll's ears and tail are a darker shade than that of the rest of its body, Ragdoll kittens are born white. The darker shading, which includes seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream, begins to develop within a few weeks of birth, and will continue to darken, ultimately reaching the deepest color when the cat is  between two and three years of age.  In addition, Ragdoll coats come in patterns, including colorpoint, mitted, and bicolor. The coat of Ragdoll cats is often compared to bunny fur. That is, the fur's texture and plushness are much like a rabbit's soft, silky fur. Ragdolls grow slowly with males reaching fifteen to twenty pounds by age three or four; females tend to weigh approximately five pounds less.

The Ragdoll temperament can sometimes be misunderstood. Most breeders recommend against allowing Ragdolls to venture outdoors unsupervised, primarily because their easy-going nature  makes them less likely to defend themselves if they are attacked by another animal. Conversely, because they tend to be gentle, docile cats, some assume that Ragdolls do not feel physical pain and that they never scratch or bite. While the Ragdoll nature does tend to be laid back and affectionate, this does not imply that  the breed experiences discomfort in a manner different from that of other breeds. Indeed, each Ragdoll will have his or her own "purr-sonality," and while one can make many generalizations about the Ragdoll's demeanor, it is important to remember  that the relationship we have with our cats is often based on reciprocal love and respect.