Spotting Good Ragdoll Cat Characteristics
If you're thinking of buying a Ragdoll Cat, it's important to know what to
look for and what to avoid. Generally, the cat should be in good health,
have no deformities, and have a soft, silky coat. Ragdolls don't show
full colors and patterns until two to three years, so don't expect your
kitten's colors to stay the same. Here are some things to look for when
choosing a Ragdoll.
1. Size and posture
Ragdolls should be medium to large, with an imposing posture and long,
sturdy limbs. The body is normally wide and broad from the front and
long and rectangular when viewed from the side. The tail should be well
plumed and reach the cat's shoulder when you pull it along the side.
Check the kitten's balance – he may be heavier around the hip, but this
should not affect his posture. Uneven weight can put him at risk of hip
dysplasia, although very few cases have been reported.
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2. Colors and patterns
Ragdolls can come in all colors, but only four are accepted as breed
standards. These are:
* Seal point: fawn to cream colored and a deeper brown at the
points, nose leather, and paw pads
* Chocolate point: light milk chocolate with cream or ivory
shading
* Blue point: cold gray, ivory, or bluish white. The points, nose
leather and paw pads are slate blue
* Lilac point: milk-white coat, pink to lavender nose and paw
pads, and pinkish beige at the points
There are also three accepted patterns:
* Colorpoint: coat is darker at the face, ears, tail, legs, and
feet, but the chin and chest are closer to the body color
* Mitted: similar to colorpoint pattern, but with white fur on
the chin, chest and paws (also called “boots” or “mitts”)
* Bicolor: darker at the face, ears and tail, but with a white
marking on the face shaped like an inverted V. The limbs, feet, ruff,
and stomach are white, and the nose leather and paw pads are pink.
3. Health
There are very few medical problems associated with Ragdolls, but
weather you intend showing your cat it
won't hurt to check for problems just the same. Make sure the cat is not
coughing or sneezing; viral infections at such an early age is a sign of
fragile health. The ears should be free of parasites and the eyes should
be clear and bright, with no hint of discharge. The breeder should give
you a health certificate and vaccination record. Ragdolls are usually
sold at 12 weeks old; your kitten should have been given all basic
inoculations by then.
4. Good Showing Qualities
One of your first decisions should be whether you want a pet quality,
show quality or breeder quality cat. Pet quality kittens are not exact
copies of the breed standard, but they are the cheapest and make
excellent home companions. Minor flaws such as the wrong eye color, ear
shape, or tail length make them ineligible for cat shows, but don't
affect their behavior and temperament. Show and breeder quality cats are
those that meet or come close to the breed standards. They cost up to
twice as much as pet quality cats, and are usually preferred by
registered breeders.
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