Ragdoll

Ragdoll kitten with blue eyes

A flame (red) point ragdoll

The Ragdoll has been known to have a very floppy and calm nature, with claims that these characteristics have been passed down from the Persian and Birman breeds. Opinions vary as to whether this trait might be the result of genetic mutation or merely an instinctive reaction from being picked up as kittens by their mother.[13][14][15] The extreme docility of some individuals has led to the myth that Ragdolls are pain resistant. Some breeders in Britain have tried to breed away from the limpness owing to concerns that extreme docility 'might not be in the best interests of the cat'.[13][16]

Breed standard marketing and publicity material describe the Ragdoll as affectionate, intelligent, relaxed in temperament, gentle, and an easy-to-handle lap cat.[17][18] The animals are often known as 'puppy cats', 'dog-like cats', 'cat-dogs', etc., because of their placid nature and affectionate behavior, with the cats often following owners from room to room as well as seeking physical affection akin to certain dog breeds. Ragdolls can be trained to retrieve toys and enjoy doing so. They have a very playful nature that often lasts well into their senior years.[19] Unlike many other breeds, Ragdolls prefer staying low to the ground rather than the highest point in the household.[20]

The Ragdoll is one of the largest domesticated cat breeds. Fully-grown females weigh 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.[6] It can take up to four years for a Ragdoll to reach mature size.[8] They have a sturdy body, bulky frame, and proportionate legs. Their heads are broad with a flat top and wide space between the ears. They have long, muscular bodies with broad chests and short necks. Their tails are bushy and long in length, their paws are large, round, and tufted, and their coats are silky, dense, and medium to long length. Due to their coats tending to be long, they usually require brushing at least twice a week.[21] Adults develop knickerbockers on their hind legs and a ruff around their necks.

The breed is often known for its large round deep blue eyes,[22][23] though other cats may have that feature as well.[24] The genes for point coloration are also responsible for these distinctive blue eyes. More intense shades of blue are favored in cat shows.

Ragdoll cats have distinctive large round blue eyes

Although the breed has a plush coat, it consists mainly of long guard hairs, while the lack of a dense undercoat results, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association, in 'reduced shedding and matting'.[25] But there may be a noticeable increase of shedding in the spring.[26]

Ragdolls come in six distinct colors: seal, chocolate, red, and the corresponding 'dilutes': blue, lilac, and cream. There also are the lynx and tortoiseshell variations[27] in all colors and the three patterns. Ragdoll kittens are born white: they have good color at 8–10 weeks and full color and coat at 3–4 years.

• Colorpoint – One color darkening at the extremities (nose, ears, tail, and paws),
• Mitted – Same as pointed but with white paws and abdomen. With or without a blaze (a white line or spot on the face), they must have a 'belly stripe' (white stripe that runs from the chin to the genitals) and a white chin. Mitted Ragdolls, which weren't allowed titling in CFA until the 2008–2009 show season, are often confused with Birmans. The easiest way to tell the difference is by size (the Ragdoll being larger) and chin color (Mitted Ragdolls have white chins,[28] while Birmans have colored chins), although breeders recognize the two by head shape and boning.[29]
• Bicolor – White legs, white inverted V on the face, white abdomen, and sometimes white patches on the back (excessive amounts of white, or 'high white', on a bicolor are known as the Van pattern, although this does not occur as often as the other patterns).

A 16-year-old female tortoiseshell Ragdoll

• Lynx – A variant of the colorpoint type having tabby markings.[30] This variation always comes with white ear lines, no matter the pattern.
• Tortoiseshell or "tortie" – A variant noted for mottled or parti-colored[31] markings in the above patterns. Despite the majoritively white coat, tortie points are not calico, as the calico gene is separate and not present in colorpoints.[32][33]

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common heart disease in all cats and is most commonly genetic in cause. The disease causes thickening of the cardiac wall, which makes the heart pump blood less efficiently. It can, in some instances, lead to sudden death. In Ragdolls that are homozygous positive for the disease (having two copies of the HCM gene), the condition can present early (as young as six months) and tends to be severe, with most cats dying by age 3. Heterozygous (one copy of HCM gene) cats tend to have later onset and slower progression of the disease, with less severe impact.[35][36]

A DNA test was developed in 2007 to identify the gene that causes HCM in Ragdolls. Breeding only from Ragdolls that are free from this gene (homozygous negative) will ensure that they will not develop the form of HCM associated with it.[35][36]

The allelic frequencies of the Ragdoll HCM mutation R820W were 0.17 in cats from Italy and 0.23 in cats from the US in 2013.[37] This reference states that the R820W prevalence is 30% in UK.[38] The HCM prevalence was found to be 2.9% (95% CI = 2.7–8.6%) in this study.[37]