Ragdoll

The Ragdoll was first bred in America in the 1960s by Ann Baker, who crossed a black Persian cat with a semi-longhaired cat resembling an Angora. The breed has only recently appeared in Ireland and there are a limited number of registered breeders.

Description
The Ragdoll is one of the largest domestic cats in the world, with a fully grown male weighing anything from 12-20 pounds. It has very distinctive blue eyes and a colourpoint coat. The original colours of the breed were seal, blue, chocolate and lilac, with red and cream being introduced later. Their semi-longhair coat is extremely soft. This laid-back, docile breed lives up to its name as its body goes extremely floppy and ragdoll-like when lifted up. One myth about the Ragdoll that persisted for some time was that it was pain resistant, but this was quickly dispersed following tests.

Care
While Ragdolls are often thought of as a low maintenance breed, they do need care and attention. They do not have an undercoat like some breeds, making grooming an easier task. Regular brushing greatly reduces shedding. Ragdolls do not generally have any serious medical problems, but their trusting nature exposes them to many dangers (cars, dogs etc.) if allowed to live outside on a permanent basis.