All about Ragdoll: Colors&Patterns&History

sources: https://www.tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=868:ragdoll-breed&catid=79

The Ragdoll is a large affectionate, semi-longhaired cat with captivating BLUE EYES. One of the largest breeds in the cat fancy, the Ragdoll gets along well with children and other pets, including dogs, often living up to its name as it gets carried around the house in a child's arms. These sturdy cats have no extreme features and blend easily in to the busy modern household.

“The Ragdoll is a relaxed, happy cat and, like a child’s ragdoll, many of these cats will go limp in your arms and flop like a stuffed doll when cuddled. Generally, the Ragdoll cat is a loving, quiet cat with a very laidback disposition. If you are looking for a very active cat or a talkative cat, a Ragdoll probably is not the breed for you, although kittens and young adults can be very rambunctious and most Ragdolls are always willing to play. Ragdolls are known for their tolerant attitudes with other animals and especially children and many will allow themselves to be dressed in doll clothes and carried around by youngsters with absolutely no resistance. They are often compared to dogs because of their friendliness and intelligence and have even been taught to play fetch.”

They are a blue-eyed, pointed (darker face, legs, tail, and ears) cat. Ragdolls are lighter color on the body with definite contrast between body and point color. Ragdoll colors may be seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, cinnamon, or fawn. They may be tortie and may have lynx stripes (tabby markings). There are three possible patterns:
Colorpoint: Dark points with no white, lighter color on the body with definite contrast between body and point color.
Mitted: Pointed with white paws (“mitts”) on the front feet, white “boots” on the hind feet, white chin & white belly stripe.
Bicolor: White chest, legs, stomach & ruff, with white inverted V on the face.

History of Ragdoll

Ann Baker of Riverside, California developed the Ragdoll breed in the early 1960s. A pure white longhaired cat named Josephine is believed to be the matriarch of the breed along with a seal point mitted male named Daddy Warbucks and a solid black cat named Blackie. Daddy Warbucks was bred to a daughter of Josephine named Buckwheat and her half-sister, Fugianna. These cats are the foundation of the Ragdoll breed.

Baker's breeding program consisted of a handful of breeders contracted as franchises under her guidance. As time went on, Baker became more eccentric and breeders broke away from her so they could continue to develop the highly affectionate and consistently patterned cats. Denny and Laura Dayton were among the breeders who distanced themselves from Baker and went on to play a major role in making the Ragdoll into a legitimate breed recognized by all the major registries. In June 1979, when TICA began, the Ragdoll was accepted for championship competition.