The Lynx Ragdoll - All About Tabby Ragdoll Cats

Apr 24

Tabby Ragdoll cats, often referred to as “lynx” Ragdolls, are a beautiful and eye-catching variation of the beloved Ragdoll breed. Characterized by their soft, signature colorpoint pattern overlaid with stunning tabby striping, lynx Ragdolls combine the elegance of traditional Ragdolls with the wild charm of a tabby cat. In this post, we’ll explore everything you should know about this captivating Ragdoll Color/Pattern and help you understand what makes these striking cats so special.

Tabby Ragdoll Characteristics

Within the Ragdoll breed, the lynx pattern offers a unique and beautiful appearance. Tabby Ragdolls offer a combination of the breed’s classic beauty with unique lynx markings, which creates a mesmerizing look. Let’s dive into the distinct characteristics specific to a tabby Ragdoll cat.

Tabby Markings: Lynx Ragdoll cats have striping, also known as tabby markings. Sometimes their body is made up of beautiful swirl-like marbling. Tabby markings vary slightly from one Ragdoll to another, but tend to be particularly prominent on their forehead and legs, giving the cat a regal, natural appearance.
White Liner on Ears and Eyes: A charming feature of the lynx Ragdoll is the distinctive white liner around their ears and eyes, which gives the cat an expressive appearance and accentuates their striking blue eye color. This white “liner” contributes to their angelic and innocent look.
Color Variation: The lynx Ragdoll comes in many different color options, including seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red and tortie. No matter the color, each tabby Ragdoll is exquisite and unique.
Pattern Variation: Tabby Ragdolls also come in 3 different pattern variants: bicolor, mitted and colorpoint. Lynx bicolor offers the most white, while colorpoint displays the most pointed color. Mitted tabby Ragdolls look similar to colorpoint, but with added white on their chins and paws.

Genetics of Lynx Ragdolls

The gene responsible for producing tabby striping in Ragdoll cats is known as the Agouti Gene. It is a dominant gene that creates banding on a cat’s individual hairs, producing the lynx pattern that we know and love. When one or two Agouti genes are inherited from a Ragdoll’s parents, the Ragdoll will have lynx markings since this gene is expressed dominantly.

Alleles: A = Agouti, a = Non-Agouti

Ragdoll cats with A/A genotype will be Agouti (tabby).
Ragdoll cats with A/a genotype will be Agouti (tabby).
Ragdoll cats with a/a genotype will be Non-Agouti solid haired (non-tabby).

Reputable Ragdoll breeders often include Agouti gene testing as part of their comprehensive Feline Genetic Testing. This allows them to identify the specific alleles carried by their breeding cats and make informed decisions when planning future litters.

Photos of Lynx Ragdolls

At Pastel Ragdolls Cattery, we love the tabby pattern! We really enjoy producing lynx Ragdoll kittens and our adopters tend to adore them as well. Included below are a few photos of lynx Ragdoll cats and kittens at Pastel Ragdolls. Don’t forget — Ragdolls take their time to mature! It can take a full 2–3 years for their coat color and patterns to fully come in, which is why kittens appear so much lighter than adults.

Seal lynx bicolor lynx tabby Ragdoll cat standing on beige cat tree condo — ***Seal Lynx Bicolor Ragdoll Cat***

Blue tabby Ragdoll kitten with deep blue eyes and pink nose sitting on green floral bed — ***Blue Lynx Bicolor Ragdoll Kitten***

Blue lynx bicolor male Ragdoll kitten sitting on white bed — ***Blue Lynx Bicolor Ragdoll Kiten***

Seal lynx mitted female Ragdoll cat looking into camera with bright blue eyes and pink nose — ***Seal Lynx Mitted Ragdoll Cat***

When Was the Tabby Ragdoll First Introduced?

The Ragdoll cat breed was first developed in the 1960s by Ann Baker in Riverside, California. Initially, the breed featured just two solid color variations: seal and blue. In the 1990s, lynx was added to the accepted colors/patterns and introduced to the breed by outcrossing the Ragdoll to other cat breeds. This allowed for broader genetic diversity and brought forth other exciting new color variations, making the Ragdoll even more diverse in its appearance.

Are Lynx Ragdolls Rare?

No, Lynx Ragdolls are not considered rare. While their striking tabby-like markings make them stand out, the lynx pattern is relatively common within the breed. Ragdoll breeders often produce Lynx Ragdolls intentionally, as the pattern is highly sought after for its beauty and contrast when paired with the breed’s classic colorpoint features.

Are Tabby Ragdoll Cats More Expensive?

Tabby Ragdoll cats should not be anymore expensive than other Ragdolls purely because of their pattern. The lynx pattern is now a commonly occurring trait in the breed, resulting from the dominant Agouti gene. While some people may find the pattern especially beautiful, reputable breeders typically price their kittens based on factors like pedigree, quality (pet vs. show/breeder) and their own overall breeding experience, not on coat pattern alone. When it comes to Ragdoll Pricing, no color or pattern should be priced more expensive than another.

Adopt a Lynx Ragdoll Kitten

The lynx Ragdoll is truly mesmerizing! If you are looking to Adopt a Tabby Ragdoll of your very own, be sure to check if Pastel Ragdolls has Lynx Ragdoll Kittens for Sale. We have Ragdoll kittens available in this gorgeous pattern periodically throughout the year.

Lynx Love

Whether you’re already a fan of Ragdolls or just discovering the breed, lynx Ragdolls offer a beautiful twist on this beloved classic breed. With their signature stripes, soft coats and gentle personalities, they truly embody purrfection. While they may look exotic, remember that the lynx pattern is simply a natural variation and not as rare or expensive as some might believe. No matter the pattern, every Ragdoll is full of charm, affection and unbelievable beauty.

Pastel Ragdolls