Ragdoll - a description of the breed and character of the cat

The name of the breed Ragdoll translated from English means "rag doll." Her representatives inherent excessive slowness. The palm in the world championship in laziness among cat breeds would no doubt be given to them. Thus, a characteristic feature of a Ragdoll cat is her temperament - she is a real phlegmatic person. Some will consider it its dignity, others - a disadvantage. And what other features do the representatives of this breed possess?

Ragdoll Breed: History of Origin

A detailed list of events describing the appearance of cats of this breed into the world is practically unknown to anyone.Therefore, people often joke that it was precisely the excessive laziness of the Ragdolls themselves that did not give them the opportunity to leave the family tree or the chronicle for their descendants. In fact, we know only a few facts about the history of the origin of Ragdolls, with which we will try to become acquainted.

The United States of America is the place where the history of the appearance of Ragdoll cats originates. Professionals in the field of animal breeding who lived in this country in the sixties of the twentieth century unintentionally discovered the jackpot. We are talking about a cat found in an amazing way named Josephine. Her peculiarity was a very appeasable character. The cat was crossed with a color-pointed male of the Burmese breed.

The result of this experiment was a new breed, called "rag doll." Officially registered newly bred representative of the cat family in 1965. In the Internet, you can find photos of Josephine the cat, which clearly demonstrate, for example, that she belonged to the Angora type.

Redgalls gained great popularity in many countries of the world, such as England, Germany, France, Italy, and the United States of America. They are in demand there until now.If we compare the appearance of Ragdolls with the external characteristics of other breeds, then they most of all look like representatives of the breed of Persian cats.

External characteristics of the breed Ragdoll

The bright blue eyes of Ragdolls do not leave anyone indifferent. Their mind and mysterious insight convince the person that the cat understands everything and knows how to see the most important things in life. Ragdoll was called the Feline Buddhas. However, the official status of the breed draws our attention not only to the memorable features of the appearance of a purebred cat, but also to clearly established breed standards.

Head

• Wedge-shaped head.
• Pronounced, contrasting with the ears, the flat surface of the head between them.
• Well developed cheeks.
• Medium chin.
• Long nose.
• The width of the nose is two times less than its length.
• The broad base of the ears (rarely end with tassels).
• Middle ears, the inside of which is covered with wool.
• Oval-shaped eyes of large size, far set.
• Bright blue color of eyes (various shades are possible).
• Thick and long white mustache.

In general, in the appearance of Ragdolls are similarities with the Burmese cats. Among the differences, Ragdolls are larger and heavier cats. Gender affiliation affects their size, therefore females are smaller (weight 4-6 kg) than males (weight 6-9 kg). In turn, both sexes have the same descriptive characteristics of the chest: it is wide and well developed. The body of the Ragdoll is quite long and muscular, if the cat leads an active lifestyle. Deposits of fat on the body of Ragdolls do not happen, except for the folds in the abdomen. The length of the limbs of cats of this breed is medium, in turn, their tail is rather long and very fluffy. The development of cats of this breed lasts until they reach the age of three years. The described external characteristics bring the breed closer to the famous Maine Coons. The main difference of redgall in this context is coat color.

There are several types of purebred ragdoll color:

1. Siamese color-point, in which the muzzle, tail, ears and legs have a dark color, the rest of the wool - light.
2. Glove, in which the legs, chest and chin highlighted with light wool.
3. Bicolor, which is a combination of light and dark shades of colors.

Shades of colors used in different types of colors, are coffee, purple and even bluish. The way in which the colors are combined, the official standard of the breed is not limited.

The structure of regdoll wool is very similar to the soft and silky hair of rabbits. Its length is average, with undercoat, so ragdolls need to be combed out. The quality of wool allows you to do this without difficulty for the owner and without pain for the animal. Wool invoices the neck of a pet with the help of a fur collar, and also hind legs with the help of “pants”.

Ragdoll cat character

The wonderful character of the cat Josephine is praised by all the owners of Ragdolls, because her descendants are incredibly docile. And this applies not only to their relationship with a person. Ragdolls have a high level of adaptability. They quickly get used to a new home or apartment when they move, they get along with all the members of their owners' company.

Dislike for loud sounds is often attributed to the minuses of representatives of this breed, but cats can be understood.Ragdoll's phlegmatic nature does not have sympathy for all noisy. Cats of this breed are calm and friendly. The softness of the Ragdolls makes them incapable of aggression. Therefore, they live well in families where there are children, tolerate their games and curiosity towards themselves, and are also able to pose for a long time in a photo in those positions that the little owner wishes.

Since the first ragdolls were bred, representatives of this breed are often tried to pass off other cats and cats. How can I recognize the "fake"? The answer is simple - by character. The liveliness of nature, love for scratches and fun games - all this is not about him. If you are dealing with a real phlegmatic person, then you are not deceived.

The visiting card of Ragdol cats is a voice, the frequency of which is related to the rest of his character traits. As you might guess, he gives it rarely and quietly.

Ragdolls easily make friends with other pets in the house, but people will be his authority. Ragdolls love to walk the tail of the owner a little more than to be lazy.

Ragdoll cats health

The health of cats of this breed is distinguished by a fortress, which they skillfully preserve until old age. But there are no rules without exceptions, which means that this issue has its own rough edges.

Ragdolls have some diseases that are unique to this breed. Among them - hip dysplasia. If the disease does not develop, it will not cause great difficulties to the animal, and the owner will completely leave its presence unnoticed. In turn, a severe degree of dysplasia may respond to a limp animal or total immobilization.

The next disease the pet of this breed may encounter is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It entails sudden death, both in early and in old age. This is a hereditary disease, so you can trace the probability of its occurrence in a particular pet through information about the health of its parents.

Features care for the cat breed Ragdoll

Professionals in the field of breeding Ragdoll cats advise taking the kitten from the mother not earlier than sixteen weeks after his birth,since babies develop much longer than their fellows in the family of other breeds. This feature affects the care and maintenance of the cat.

Independent walks to pets of this breed are contraindicated and even prohibited, since the phlegmatic nature will not allow them to escape from the aggression of street animals or the carelessness of motorists. They do not know how to defend themselves at all, only the space at home is comfortable and safe for them.

Another difficulty in the life of cats of this breed is that they absolutely do not know how to group. Falling from significant and even from low altitudes can be fatal to an animal. The owners either need to be always on the alert, or from childhood to wean the kitten to climb high. Fortunately, ragdolls have excellent learning abilities, which means they will quickly understand what is required of them.

In general, caring for Ragdoll cats is not a big deal. The only addition is to pay attention to pet hair. It does not hurt the daily combing, which, in addition to the benefits, he gets great pleasure.

How to feed a ragdoll cat?

Ragdolls love to eat and do not have a bad appetite. Despite the fact that they are excessively lazy, the tendency to obesity is not found in them. In addition to the usual food, cats need special mineral supplements that contribute to the development of the skeleton. The previously noted heavyness of the representatives of the breed entails the size of their portions. A kitten needs 120 grams of food per day, an adult will not give up 300 grams. Watch for a moderate frequency of feeding.

Ragdolls are good about eating properly selected dry food. In case of preference for a natural type of feeding, watch for proportionality, since 2/3 of the entire diet should be meat. It is not allowed to feed the pet fat and fried, river fish and milk.

Some interesting facts

1. Ragdol kittens have a white coat color at birth. The color scheme of the kitten appears only by the tenth day. The establishment of permanent color occurs at the age of two years.
2. The average life expectancy of a pet is 15-18 years.

Where can I buy a kitten breed Ragdoll?

Professional breeders of this breed are in the United States of America. However, there are also places in Russia where people have been faithfully doing this for years (cattery of elite cats, “SAPFIR”).

What is the cost of a Ragdoll kitten?

It varies depending on the participation in exhibitions and championships of his parents. Also on the price affects the need to deliver a pet to another city or even a country. Thus, the price range is in the range of 10 000 - 35 000 rubles.

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