This is Muffin. She is 6 years old and is a beauty with those big blue eyes. How can I resist her when she looks at me and taps me with her paw for attention?
The Ragdoll is a cat breed with blue eyes and a distinct colorpoint coat. It is a large and muscular semi-longhair cat with a soft and silky coat. Developed by American breeder Ann Baker, it is best known for its docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature. The name "Ragdoll" is derived from the tendency of individuals from the original breeding stock to go limp and relaxed when picked up.
In the 1960s, a regular non-pedigreed white domestic long-haired cat named Josephine, who had produced several litters of typical cats, was injured in an accident involving a car and taken to the veterinary hospital at the University of California. Josephine was of a Persian/Angora type and had litters sired by several unknown male Birman or Burmese-like cats, one of which had the Siamese point colouration. After Josephine recovered, her next litter produced kittens with a docile, placid temperament, affectionate nature, and a tendency to go limp and relaxed when picked up. When a subsequent litter produced more of the same, Baker purchased several kittens from the owner who lived behind her, and believing she had something special, set out to create what is now known as the Ragdoll. The breed was selectively bred over many years for desirable traits, such as large size, gentle demeanour, and a tendency to go limp when picked up, as well as the striking pointed colouration.
The Ragdoll is one of the largest domesticated cat breeds with a sturdy body, large frame, and proportionate legs. A fully-grown female weighs from 8 to 15 pounds (3.6 to 6.8 kg). Males are substantially larger, ranging from 12 to 20 pounds (5.4 to 9.1 kg) or more. The genes for point colouration are also responsible for the blue eyes of the Ragdoll. More intense shades of blue are favoured in cat shows. Although the breed has a plush coat, it consists mainly of long guard hairs, while the lack of a dense undercoat results in, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association, "reduced shedding and matting".
Info taken from Wikipedia.
Great shot and terrific info! My Jack's mother was a ragdoll but she escaped and "played up" with a neighbour! Jack doesn't have the physical features of a ragdoll but he has inherited the beautiful nature and very soft fur :)
I knew this was yours as soon as I looked at it. Those eyes are something very special. Thanks for taking the time to put the history on it's very interesting. i'd never heard of them before. Must go to a cat show and meet one in real life!
