Physical Characteristics
Ragdolls are a large, semi-longhaired, pointed cat with captivating blue eyes. As pointed cats (darker color on faces, ears, legs, and tail) they come in a variety of colors and patterns. One pattern, the colorpoint has no white. The other patterns, mitted, bicolor and van, have white.
The mitted pattern has white on the chin, belly stripe, front paws and back legs. The bicolor pattern has more white with all four paws, underbodies, chest and an inverted "V" on the face. The van pattern has the most white with the color showing on the ears, top of the mask, tail and possibly a few spots on the body.
The Ragdoll coat is medium longhair with no undercoat, resulting in less shedding and matting. Their coats tend to be plush, silky, and very soft. Ragdolls come in seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red and cream colors.
Grooming
Ragdolls require regular grooming to prevent matting and to give them an overall fluffy and healthy appearance. They should be groomed at least once a week. When seasonal heavy malting occurs, daily brushing is helpful to the Ragdoll's coat and skin.
Temperament
The Ragdoll has a very gentle, relaxed temperament. If socialized correctly from birth they will be very friendly members of the family. Ragdolls are very welcoming to strangers and love being held and snuggled by people of all ages. They are an ideal pet for young children as they tolerate and appreciate lots of hugs and kisses, and can withstand a young child's exploration and behavior toward them.
History
Ragdolls were first bred in the 1960s by Ann Baker, a Persian breeder in California. All Ragdoll cats are descended from Baker's cats. By selecting individuals with the look and temperament she wanted for her breeding program, Baker created the standard Ragdoll type. The breed was selectively bred over many years for desirable traits, such as large size, gentle demeanor, and a tendency to go limp when picked up.