What is this enigma called the Ragdoll Cat? A glimpse into it’s history shows an ancestry often shrouded in controversy, legend and speculation, including tales of meddlings with genetic alteration of the foundation queen after a car accident thus accounting for the ‘floppy’ temperament and inability to feel pain! Dispensing with myths and concentrating on proven facts – in 1988 two Ragdolls were clinically examined by Dr Andrew Nash of the University of Glasgow, who concluded these Ragdolls were normal members of the feline family.
A very early photo of Ann Baker with a ‘red’ cat in typical Ragdoll mode!!
The story begins with the breed originating in early 60’s America by Ann Baker of California who bred experimental Persians. Ann worked in a Laundromat owned by a Mrs Pennels who had many semi-feral cats roaming her land - one being the legendary ‘angora-type’ white cat, Josephine.
Nursed back to health after being hit by a car, this may possibly have accounted for Josephine’s relaxed friendly attitude towards humans, and according to Ann her future litters of kittens were similar - large and docile with non-matting fur and a low pain threshold. Josephine had several litters of kittens before she was sadly put to sleep by Mr. Pennels after proving a nuisance to his dog, whilst protecting her kittens
A litter of tabby kittens
Ann gained possession of three of Josephine’s offspring she deemed suitable to breed from and began line breeding to produce the breed she named ‘Ragdoll’. From these three cats: Daddy Warbucks - a seal mitted with a white nose blaze and tail tip (whom Ann considered the epitome of the Ragdoll), Fugianna – a seal bicolour, long and lanky like her mother and thirdly Buckwheat, a thick furred black self (solid) the foundations of the Ragdoll breed were laid.
Ann operated a regimented breeding programme producing colourpointed, mitted and bicolour patterns from the three original cats and their offspring and although comparisons have been made to other breeds, Josephine and the fathers were semi-feral, therefore their parentage is unknown.
A cream mitted
Ann set up her own registering body in 1971, called the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA).
In 1975 she patented the Ragdoll name and franchised breeding stock under very strict contracts. Time passed with Ann’s increased eccentricities causing several of the original purchasers of her Ragdoll cats, including Laura and Denny Dayton of the Blossom Time Cattery, California, to break their ties with her. Meanwhile, Ann lost many of her original Ragdoll breeding lines, claiming amongst other things, that her ‘enemies’ poisoned them - fortunately the Daytons continued breeding with those original lines until the early 80s……
A Bi-colour Tortie
March 1981 heralded the arrival of the first Ragdolls reaching British shores! Pioneers of the breed - Lulu Rowley (Petil Lu cattery) and Pat Brownsell (Patriarca), imported 12 Blossom Time Ragdolls and set with a good diverse breeding foundation, the UK embraced it’s own ‘home-grown’ Ragdolls. Cats bred purely from the 12 original Blossom Time imports commonly known worldwide as ‘Old English’, are still believed to retain the look and temperament of those first imports, and in turn the Raggedy Ann foundation Ragdolls. Towards the late 80’s and early 90’s, with some breeders wishing to expand the gene pool, further early American Ragdoll lines were imported and these are widely known as the ‘Older US’ pedigrees.
The famous Ragdoll temperament? With the origins of the breed showing the Ragdoll cat as a child of the 60’s coupled with it’s gentle laidback disposition, one has visions of the ‘flower children’ of the day! Large, placid, relatively undemanding and tolerant to most situations, Ragdolls bond well with their owners, but due to their trusting nature, are not streetwise and are ‘indoor cats’. Pondering here on the name ‘Ragdoll’ as possibly their own worst enemy – documented film showing Ann Baker throwing a Ragdoll back and forth and other such stories, caused concern that in the wrong hands they be used as some sort of living plaything or toy. Fortunately, worldwide - Ragdoll cat breed clubs have striven to educate the public against such nonsensical myths of these cats feeling no pain!
Seal Mitted Ragdoll
What do they look like? Ragdolls are ‘pointed’ cats, in the three recognised patterns of Colourpointed, Mitted and Bicolour, the four original colours being Seal, Blue and the rare Chocolate and Lilac. Endearingly sweet expressions - beguiling trusting blue eyes, one could wax lyrical observing their many charms including their silky semi longhaired coats, with ruffs, knickerbockers and plumed tails!
Adraylo (Patriarca) Primo Carnera - Seal Colourpointed Ragdoll, born 1986, sired by Blossom Time Romeo. An old lion sunning himself!
Overall they give an impression of majestic elegance, power and strength, particularly the male - some reaching 20lbs or more, with the female generally much smaller. The head silhouette shows a broad flat plane across a wide earset with good width of cheekbone, tapering down to a curved muzzle, depicting the famous Ragdoll smile on profile. A ski slope retrousee nose completes that magic which is the Ragdoll cat!
Ragdolls mature very slowly – often taking up to four years before reaching their full legendary beauty. Kittens are born white with patterning apparent within a couple of days, deepening as they pass through different stages of growth including that lanky, rather plain adolescent phase of the pinched face and big ears, bearing little resemblance to the magnificent creature the Ragdoll is destined to be - not unlike the cygnet that blossoms into the graceful swan - the Ragdoll becomes more enchanting with age….
Blue Bicolour showing desired profile of ski-slope nose and Ragdoll ‘smile’.
Colourpointed has deep matching points on it’s mask, ears, legs and tail showing a softer hue on it’s body with no white colouring whatsoever.
Mitted, similarly marked but with white chin, possible white nose blaze, white ruff and underbody, white mittens to the front paws with white socks up to the line of the hock or beyond on the hindlegs.Bicolour shows a striking white V to the mask, white ruff and underbody with clear white legs. A soft muted coloured saddle, often broken up by white patches. Tail colour matching the ears and mask points..
From when the original Ragdolls arrived in the UK in 1981 - it took some time for the breed to achieve recognition under GCCF rulings. A small and dedicated group of breeders worked tirelessly to attract Governing Council’s interest and by the late 80s it eventually became possible to exhibit Ragdolls at GCCF shows, leading to the breed being granted Preliminary Recognition in 1990. 1996 saw the Bicolour rise to Provisional Status with the Colourpointeds and Mitteds following suit in 1998 - they were on their way!
Finally - June 2001 celebrated the Ragdoll breed, in all three patterns and the original four colours, being fully recognised at Championship level -they had achieved their goal! Many outstanding Ragdolls have been shown in those early years, to be remembered in the archives of the history of the Ragdoll cat, alongside the diligent work of their breeders and owners, past and present, who helped elevate the breed to where it stands today.
A bevy of beauties! Seal and Blue Colourpointed and Mitted kittens.
The pride and the passion of this splendid cat, culminated in the Traditional Ragdoll Cat Society being formed in February 2004, pre-affiliated to the GCCF, it’s celebratory launch was held in November 2004 at The Supreme Cat Show. With newer lines being introduced, together with recognised outcrossing programmes actively in force, traditional Ragdoll cat enthusiasts and fanciers were becoming concerned for the preservation of many of the old original pedigree lines as these were becoming scarce.
The Traditional Ragdoll Cat Society - a small specialist club with the motto - Maintaining the Magic! - endeavours to promote and preserve the ‘Traditional Ragdoll’ in type, temperament and pedigree for the interest of the breed, their diehard fans and new owners alike. The club is open to pet owners, breeders, show folk and anyone who has a keen interest in Traditional Ragdoll cats.
Blue Colourpointed Ragdoll
TRCS also offers Kitten and Registered Breeder lists, Rescue & Rehome *Ragdolls in Need* facility, children’s club, a quarterly magazine and much more. For further details please visit www.trcs.org.uk or contact the Honorary Secretary, Bernard Morris on Tel: 01288 321727 or email honsec@trcs.org.uk
The Origins of Red & Tabby Ragdolls
Editorial by The British Ragdoll Cat Club
The importation of Tabby and Red series Ragdolls from America introduced a whole new spectrum to Ragdoll breeding in Britain and indeed throughout the world. These striking variations to the standard colours are proving overwhelmingly popular with breeders and pet owners alike. Tabby & Red series Ragdolls were recognised by the GCCF in October 02, and we have been able to see their stunning presence at shows in competition alongside their Seal & Blue counterparts since June 2003.
What has to be remembered is that the Ragdoll was not a naturally occurring breed such as the Turkish Van, Maine Coon, Burmese etc. It is a man made breed and, as has been documented in the past, many different breeds are in the background of this wonderful cat. We do know for certain that the existence of the Tabby and Red series Ragdoll date back to the early breeding programme set up by Ann Baker.
Ann Baker was opposed to Ragdoll cats being shown and registered with organisations and in 1971 she founded her own association enabling her cats to have a registering body. This association was named The International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA).
Laura and Denny Dayton bought their first Ragdoll cats from Ann in the late 1960’s early 1970’s these cats were to become the foundation cats of the Blossom Time Cattery. The Daytons were to send Ragdolls around the world so the cats bred under this prefix were to become the founding lines for many breeders, It appears that the Dayton’s did not breed with any Red or Tabby cats. As these genes were dominant, no Red or Tabby cats were produced under the Blossom Time prefix. The Ragdolls the Dayton’s exported to the UK were only in Seal, Blue, Chocolate and Lilac and all of the colourpointed pattern with or without white. In 1975 the Daytons started a Ragdoll Fanciers Club International (RFCI) to promote the Ragdoll. This clubs’ goal was to get as many American Cat Registries as possible to recognise the Ragdoll as a breed.
UK GR CH & GR PR EMERISLE DIAMANTE
From 1975 onwards, there were two groups of Ragdoll breeders, one group wanted full recognition for their cats, and so were members of RFCI, the other bred under the originators (Ann Baker) guidance, so registering their cats with IRCA.
The IRCA breeders had to obey strict rules laid down by Ann, one of which was the refusal to allow them to export Ragdolls to the UK due to our quarantine laws. Over the years frustrated with the high demands that Ann enforced, many left. In the early 1990’s, a group of IRCA breeders began to register their Ragdolls with the major American cat organisations…. the cats they registered included the Red & Tabby Ragdolls. These American organisations also had to be recognised by The Governing Council of The Cat Fancy (GCCF) so that the cats could be dual registered. In 1995 the first Tabby Ragdoll arrived from America and in 1997 the Red series were to be imported.
The Tabby and Red genes both being dominant (albeit Red being sex linked) makes their integration with the standard patterns and colours uncomplicated and appealing, and are bred in all three patterns of Colourpointed, Mitted and Bicolour. The dominant white genes of the Mitted and Bicolour have a dramatic effect on the areas of colour around the white patterning in the Tortie varieties of the Red series females, in basic terms, when white is present, the areas of red (or cream) and base colour becomes larger, and the more white, as in the Bicolour, the larger the patches of colour.
Americans refer to this distribution as ‘Calico’ and the results are extremely eye catching. Indeed, Tabby and Red series Ragdolls, referred to in the United States as ‘Lynx’ points and ‘Flame’ points are not only appealing aesthetically, but also genetically, as having been bred in relative isolation from previously accessible Ragdolls, their input to the present Ragdoll gene pool is of consequential value. They constantly put size and vigour into the litters that they produce which is so important remembering that the Ragdoll standard of points demand that they be ‘...Large, Imposing and Powerful...’
Since the original Ragdolls arrived in the UK in 1982, well over 40 others of all the recognised colours and patterns have been imported from not only the USA but also from Europe, all with diverse pedigrees to the ones already here. This is vital to help improve the gene pool and therefore the health and longevity of the breed.
Being the founding club for the breed in 1987, The British Ragdoll Cat Club is the largest Ragdoll Club in the UK. Affiliated to the GCCF in 1991, having formed the BAC and written the Standard of Points, TBRCC worked long & hard for 14 years, not only achieving recognition for the Breed, but also towards the ultimate goal of Championship Status, which was achieved and took effect on 1 June 2001.
Being the largest Ragdoll club in the UK, we are proud to promote all the colours and patterns and to assist their owners in every way that we can breeders and pet owners alike.
For further information on TBRCC please contact Hon Secretary, Mrs Christine Powell, 01992504411 or visit our web site: www.tbrcc.co.uk
Ragdolls’ Progress
Editorial by The Progressive Ragdoll Breed Cat Club
The more detailed background history of the origins of the Ragdoll, both the traditional colours and the ‘new’ colours is well documented and is covered elsewhere in this feature.
It was perhaps an inevitability that as the traditional colours of the Breed became established for mating purposes and also on the Show benches, there would, in common with older established breeds, be a move towards introducing other colours and patterns i.e. the reds, creams, tabbies and torties. At the same time it was necessary to respect the views of those who felt that the future of the Breed remained solely in the original colours, whilst maintaining the traits and characteristics of the Breed that make it so appealing and ownership addictive - the large, imposing and loving cat.
The problem with introducing the new colours and patterns to the show benches lay in agreement between the two GCCF affiliated Clubs, the Progressive Ragdoll Breed Cat Club and The British Ragdoll Cat Club, as to which Breeds could be used in the breeding programme and how many generations were necessary before the offspring could be accepted by Governing Council as true Ragdolls as opposed to Ragdoll variants. These difficulties were not easy to overcome and it was only a few years ago that the respective Clubs representatives reached agreement at the Breed Advisory Committee. Since then traditional and new colours and patterns have appeared side by side on the Show benches with successes shared.
As will be known to those familiar with All-Breed Shows, the Ragdoll is included in the Semi-longhair Section for Imperial, Grand and Open Classes, sharing with other SLH breeds in the first case, all but the Birmans in the case of the Grand and having their own Open Classes. The Bi-coloureds have their own Class as a consequence of achieving Merit status ahead of the other patterns while the Colourpoints and Mitteds share the same Open Class, attempts to separate the last two have not up to now been successful as a consequence of the inadequate numbers of Mitted cats appearing due to the difficulties breeders experience in producing the conformity to the Breed standard, in particular the correct pattern of the mitts.
In Miscellaneous Classes they appear with other SLH breeds and at some Shows are included with Longhair or Persians. The traditional colours gained Champion-ship status in June 2001, the reds and tabbies were allowed by the GCCF to enter straight in at Championship level from June 2003, thus avoiding the process of Merit and Intermediate levels. This year at the Supreme the Breed will have, for the first time, its own Class competing for UK title certificates.
The success of any Breed of cat and an individual cat of that Breed on the Show bench requires conformity to type and the Breed standard, something all Ragdoll breeders strive to achieve if they wish to be represented at Shows. Examples of two cats, one of traditional colour and pattern and currently the highest achieving Ragdoll on the Show benches under GCCF rules - UK Gr Ch & Gr Pr Emerisle Diamante, and one of the new colours, a cream colourpoint, Pr Emerisle Gregorian Harmony accompany this article - there are of course many others who have gained success and merit equal mention.
To date there has only been one annual specialist Breed Championship Show solely for Ragdolls, that held by the The British Ragdoll Cat Club in January at Telford. From next July, however, the Breed will benefit from a second Championship show in the calendar with the PRBCC holding their first show at Redditch. Having two Shows should ensure that greater numbers of Ragdolls are brought together on occasions other than the Supreme, so that the endearing features of the breed - its’ kind temperament and loving nature - can be enjoyed and appreciated by cat lovers waiting to be converted to being yet another addicted slave to the Ragdoll.
The Progressive Ragdoll Breed Cat Club is the smaller of the two GCCF affiliated Breed clubs. It was formed in 1993 and affiliated to the GCCF in 1998. It jointly represents the Breed with the TBRCC on the BAC. As well as catering for Ragdoll owners and breeders, we also welcome owners of the good old ‘moggy’ and the HP section at our Shows is always well-supported. For further details about the Club, contact the Membership Secretary, Mrs Anne Ashworth on 01204 886660 or visit our website at www.prbcc.co.uk
Brian Ashworth, Chairman PRBCC
