Von Forst Dresden Doll - blue point Ragdoll female kitten in typical Ragdoll relaxed position.

HISTORY

The origins of the Ragdoll are surrounded by myth and speculation however enough is now known about this beautiful cat's history to get at the truth. It was back in 1963 in California, USA that Ann Baker the breed's founder started her work on the breed. The foundation female was a white Angora type cat called Josephine. Following a bad car accident Josephine was nursed back to health and her much improved temperament after such loving care with humans brought her to Ann Baker's attention. Ann decided to put her to both a Burmese type male and a Birman type male and it was the offspring of these that are the very first Ragdolls.

Apart from the kittens displaying a beautiful laid back nature they also appeared to have lovely semi long NON matting fur, were a huge size and showed a non fighting disposition. Ann Baker realized how special these cats were and called them Ragdolls. She then proceeded to register the patent of the name Ragdoll and frachised out future breeding stock under strict and bizarre contracts, attempting to control how other breeders bred their Ragdolls. Due to the high costs involved the franchises were soon dropped. Since then Ann Baker has made many extraordinary claims relating to the Ragdoll and other breeds that she worked on, claims of genetic engineering, gene insertion and many other wild disclosures.

It is due to the work and dedication of other breeders who fell in love with the breed and persisted with it despite Ann Baker that we owe the Ragdoll Cat of today to.

DESCRIPTION

The Ragdoll is a big, heavy cat, medium in type and the coat is semi long, NON matting, thick and plush. ALL Ragdolls have blue eyes and come in the pointed (Siamese) coat pattern in seal, blue, red, chocolate, lilac, cream, tabby and tortoishell. They also come in 3 patterns, Pointed (no white) Mitted (2 white mitts on the front feet, 2 white 'boots' on the back feet, white chin and with or without a white facial blaze) and Bicolour (with a white inverted 'V' on the face, all white legs and white chest with the point colour on the ears, facial mask, tail and some shading on the back.)

TEMPERAMENT

The Ragdoll is an extremely relaxed, easy going cat who loves affection but who is quite content to follow their owner around the house quietly investigating the cupboard you just opened, jumping on the bed you are trying to make and generally just loves people. They have a quiet voice not used often and one of their favourite positions is to lay flat on their backs, paws curled forward exposing a fat, furry tummy.

Coralie's Ragdoll girls are very adept now at attempting to help her make the bed and just love to involve themselves in whatever is going on!

A pair of Von Forst Ragdoll kittens (blue point top) (seal point below) now grown and enjoying their new home.

It is extremely important to note that Ragdolls are an INDOOR cat as they are too trusting and you could say fearless to be able to survive outside. They are perfectly content to remain indoors with their human companions.