The Ragdoll Breed Standard
The Ragdoll is a medium to large, moderately long-haired, blue-eyed pointed cat. They are celebrated worldwide for their incredible beauty and loving temperament. But what does the ideal Ragdoll look like? If you are thinking about showing or Adopting a Pedigree Ragdoll Kitten of your own, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the Ragdoll Breed Standard. Understanding their ideal appearance will help ensure that you are selecting a Ragdoll with true-to-the-breed features.
What is a Breed Standard?
A Breed Standard sets specific guidelines for the physical traits and temperament of a breed. They typically go into extensive detail so that there can be no misinterpretations. When it comes to showing a cat of a specific breed, the standard includes a point system to score how closely the cat fits the breed standard.
Why is a Breed Standard Important?
When breeding and showing Ragdolls, a breed standard is very important. They are essential to preserving the integrity of a breed and ensuring that it stays true to its roots and origins. Without a standard, there would be no consistency within a breed, and we would lose unique and beloved features exclusive to that breed.
Who Sets the Ragdoll Breed Standard?
There are organizations that maintain registries and set the standards for each breed. For cats, the two main organizations are The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). There is a TICA Ragdoll Breed Standard and a CFA Ragdoll Breed Standard.
TICA Ragdoll Breed Standard - Single Page
CFA Ragdoll Breed Standard - Page 1
CFA Ragdoll Breed Standard - Page 2
CFA Ragdoll Breed Standard - Page 3
The Ragdoll Breed Standard is meticulously detailed and takes some time to read through, so we have summarized the Ragdoll Breed Standard in this blog post below as set by these two organizations. This should help you better comprehend exactly how a Ragdoll should look, from their gorgeous gem-blue eyes to their treasured bunny coats.
Ragdoll Overview
The ideal Ragdoll is balanced with no extreme features. When you look at a Ragdoll Cat, no single characteristic—such as excessively large ears or eyes—should dominate their appearance or draw your attention. All of their physical traits should be in perfect harmony.
The Ragdoll Head
Worth 40 points in TICA | Worth 40 points in CFA
The Ragdoll’s head should be a broad modified wedge, with a flat plan between the ears. Their head should be proportionate to their body.
Eyes: All true Ragdolls have large, oval blue eyes. They should be moderately wide set apart and there is a preference for deeper color.
Ears: The ears on Ragdolls should be medium in size, with a wide base, rounded tips and slightly tilted forward.
Muzzle: The breed standards call for a rounded muzzle that is medium in length and in line with the wedge.
Profile: Ragdolls should have profiles that are slightly curved, sending in a straight, medium-length nose.
Chin: The chin on a Ragdoll should be well-developed, strong and in-line with the upper lip and nose.
Neck: Their neck should be strong and heavy, proportional to their head and body.
Correct Ragdoll “Modified Wedge” Head With Nice Earset
Correct Ragdoll Strong Chin + Profile
The Ragdoll Body
Worth 35 points in TICA | Worth 30 points in CFA
The Ragdoll’s Size should be large and their body should be long, with solid boning. They should be firm and muscular (not fat), with the exception of a fat pad on the lower abdomen.
Legs: The legs on a Ragdoll should be substantially boned and moderately long, with the hind legs slightly longer than the front legs.
Paws: Ragdolls should have proportionally large, rounded paws that are tufted.
Tail: Their tail should be equal in length to their body and thicker at the base, with a slight taper.
Correct Ragdoll Body
The Ragdoll Coat
Worth 25 points in TICA | Worth 30 points in CFA
When it comes to a Ragdoll’s coat, length, texture and color are important factors to consider. However, texture is even more important than length - that bunny coat texture is highly desired!
Length: The length of the coat should be semi-long. Allowances are given for unaltered adults and seasonal variations.
Texture: A Ragdoll’s coat texture should be silky soft and fall smoothly. It should not feel like cotton or wool.
Color: There should be contrast between the body and point color. The body should have even, light color with minimal shading. Allowances are given for underdeveloped color in younger cats and small spots of color in some white areas and on paw pads.
Correct Ragdoll Bunny Coat
Ragdoll Colors and Patterns
There are many different Ragdoll Colors and Patterns accepted by the Ragdoll Breed Standard. Ragdoll patterns include bicolor, mitted and colorpoint, while Ragdoll colors include seal, blue, red, cream, tortie, chocolate and lilac. Any color/pattern combination can also have lynx overlay, which appears as tabby striping.
Mink, sepia and solid Ragdolls DO NOT meet the Ragdoll Breed Standard. They cannot be shown under the Ragdoll name because they are not true Ragdolls.
Pastel Ragdolls | Breeding Traditional Ragdolls
It is expected for all Ragdoll breeders to be familiar with the breed standard and ideally breed towards it. At Pastel Ragdolls Cattery, we are passionate about breeding Ragdoll kittens that meet the written standard as closely as possible. We do have a personal preference for the softer, doll-faced Ragdoll look. However, we prioritize health and temperament above all else! If you are interested in potentially adopting a Ragdoll cat or kitten, you can learn how to choose the Best Ragdoll Breeder and also How to Find Ragdoll Kittens Near Me. We frequently have Ragdoll Kittens For Sale. Afterwards, feel free to visit our Ragdoll Cat Blog to learn more about the incredible Ragdoll breed.
The Elegant and Graceful Ragdoll Cat
Although we might be biased, there is truly no cat breed more stunning than the Ragdoll! While they are physically breathtaking, their true appeal lies in their sweet disposition. Ragdoll cats make terrific and loving pets. If you are thinking about adding a Ragdoll kitten to your family, understanding the Ragdoll Breed Standard can help in selecting your companion. Whether you are set on a show quality Ragdoll kitten or have preference for a loving pet quality kitten, familiarizing yourself with the standard should help you grow your understanding of the charming Ragdoll breed.