Ragdoll CFA Breed Standard Explained: From Lineage to Appearance, a Comprehensive Understanding of Ragdolls
Ragdoll CFA Breed Standard Explained: From Lineage to Appearance, a Comprehensive Understanding of Ragdolls
Ragdolls, renowned for their docile nature and stunning appearance, have become one of the most popular pet cat breeds in recent years. Their name originates from their unique characteristic of becoming limp and relaxed like a ragdoll when held. The allure of Ragdolls lies not only in their captivating personalities but also in their distinctive and elegant appearance.
To better comprehend the charm of Ragdolls, let's delve into the CFA breed standard for Ragdolls. CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association) is one of the most influential feline registration bodies globally, and its breed standard serves as an authoritative guide for Ragdoll lineage and appearance.
The Origins of Ragdolls
The origins of Ragdolls can be traced back to the 1960s in the United States. A regular domestic cat named Josephine unexpectedly gave birth to a litter of pointed kittens. These kittens shared similar body types with Persians and Angoras, inheriting the pointed pattern of Siamese cats. More importantly, these kittens all possessed gentle and affectionate personalities, readily bonding with humans.
Josephine's owner gave these kittens to breeder Ann Baker, who keenly sensed their unique qualities and began selectively breeding this lineage. Through years of selective breeding, Ragdolls gradually developed their distinctive body type, personality, and coat color, eventually becoming a separate breed.
A Detailed Explanation of the CFA Breed Standard for Ragdolls
The CFA breed standard for Ragdolls is primarily divided into the following aspects:
1. Head (Total Score: 40 Points)
Size and Shape: Head large and proportionate, forming a broad, equilateral wedge. Flat between ears, facial lines form a wedge. Double chin permissible in adult males.
Eyes: Large and lively, oval blue eyes, wide-set and with an outer corner that is slightly upward, complementing the wedge-shaped face.
Ears: Medium size, wide-set and moderately open, continuing the wedge-shaped line. Ears are broad at the base, rounded at the tips, and tipped forward.
Profile: Profile has a slight curve, ending in a straight, medium-length nose. Chin well-developed and strong, aligned with the nose and upper lip.
Neck: Sturdy.
2. Body (Total Score: 30 Points)
Size and Bone Structure: Large and long, broad and solid, with large bone structure. Overall shape is rectangular in design, possessing a full chest and consistent width across the shoulders and hips. Body solid and muscular, but not obese. Some abdominal fat is acceptable. Females are generally smaller than males. Young adults are allowed a slower maturation period.
Physique: Overall well-proportioned and balanced.
Legs and Tail: Legs with large bone structure, medium length. Hind legs longer than front legs. Front legs are short-haired, while hind legs are long-haired, full and have a feathered pant appearance. Paws: Large, round, and proportionate. Covered with tufts of hair. Tail: Long and full-furred.
3. Coat (Total Score: 30 Points)
Texture: Rich outer coat, natural and not dull, of medium length; minimal undercoat. Hair flows with the body lines, ideally having a full ruff. Face is short-haired, ruff is long-haired. Hair is short over the shoulder blades and gradually gets longer to the tail. Short coats are acceptable due to un-neutered adult cats and seasonal variations.
Color: Six pointed colors: Seal, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Flame/Red, Cream. Points may be solid, tabby, or tortie. All Ragdolls are pointed, but certain points may be overlaid with white. Body: Subtle shading is acceptable, but clear color is preferred. Darkening of the color with age is permissible, but there must be a clear contrast between the points and the body. Points: Point areas concentrated on the face, ears, legs, paws, and tail, dense and clear. No shading. A deeper shade on the belly may occur (in mitted and pointed cats).
4. Deductions
Coat: Undercoat too thick, standing up. Too fluffy, not close-lying.
Eyes: Small or round. Eye Color: Very light blue or very dark blue -- so dark that it appears black.
Nose: Roman Nose.
Body: Squat, short legs.
Tail: Stumpy tail; tail with irregular lumps.
5. Disqualifications
Nose: Any kink in nose, not in a straight line.
Color: Anything other than the prescribed body and facial color; eyes not blue.
Other: Kinky tail, crossed eyes, polydactylism.
6. Ragdoll Patterns
Pointed: Pointed throughout. Older cats may have shading in the coat, but the coat color must contrast clearly with the point areas. Disqualification: White patches anywhere on the body.
Bicolor: White inverted V lies on the inside of the eye rims. Symmetry is preferable. White spotting may appear on the upper body. Legs and feet: White throughout preferred, but black spotting may occur. Deductions: The inverted V extends beyond the eye rims, asymmetry. White ears. Disqualification: The inverted V is absent or has dark spots. Large areas of color on legs.
Colorpoint: Point areas are limited to the ears, tail, and face. The face is usually limited to the top of the head. Deductions: Colored areas on the body exceed 20%. Disqualification: Complete absence of points on the head or tail.
Mitted: A blaze from the nose to the forehead. The chin is white and extends to the belly. The front wrists are evenly encircled with a white mitt. The hind legs are also encircled with a white mitt, but the height is specified: It must be at least to the elbow but below the mid-thigh. Disqualification: Chin is not white.
Two Versions of the Ragdoll Standard Circulating in China
In China, there are two different versions of the Ragdoll breed standard:
CFA Standard: This is the most authoritative breed standard internationally, and it is the standard followed by most Ragdoll breeders and enthusiasts.
IRCA Standard: IRCA (International Ragdoll Cat Association) is the founding association of Ragdolls, and its breed standard differs slightly from the CFA standard. Due to IRCA's smaller size, its standard has limited international influence.
Ragdoll Personality Traits
Besides their appearance, Ragdolls are also known for their endearing personalities. Ragdolls are gentle, affectionate, and enjoy human companionship, making them known as “the dogs of the cat world.” They are intelligent and easy to train, and they rarely make sharp noises, making them suitable for home environments.
Summary
Ragdolls, as a beautiful and docile cat breed, are highly sought after for their distinctive appearance and personality. Understanding the CFA breed standard can help us better identify the qualities of Ragdolls, allowing us to better appreciate their beauty.
Ragdolls, renowned for their docile nature and stunning appearance, have become one of the most popular pet cat breeds in recent years. Their name originates from their unique characteristic of becoming limp and relaxed like a ragdoll when held. The allure of Ragdolls lies not only in their captivating personalities but also in their distinctive and elegant appearance.
To better comprehend the charm of Ragdolls, let's delve into the CFA breed standard for Ragdolls. CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association) is one of the most influential feline registration bodies globally, and its breed standard serves as an authoritative guide for Ragdoll lineage and appearance.
The Origins of Ragdolls
The origins of Ragdolls can be traced back to the 1960s in the United States. A regular domestic cat named Josephine unexpectedly gave birth to a litter of pointed kittens. These kittens shared similar body types with Persians and Angoras, inheriting the pointed pattern of Siamese cats. More importantly, these kittens all possessed gentle and affectionate personalities, readily bonding with humans.
Josephine's owner gave these kittens to breeder Ann Baker, who keenly sensed their unique qualities and began selectively breeding this lineage. Through years of selective breeding, Ragdolls gradually developed their distinctive body type, personality, and coat color, eventually becoming a separate breed.
A Detailed Explanation of the CFA Breed Standard for Ragdolls
The CFA breed standard for Ragdolls is primarily divided into the following aspects:
1. Head (Total Score: 40 Points)
Size and Shape: Head large and proportionate, forming a broad, equilateral wedge. Flat between ears, facial lines form a wedge. Double chin permissible in adult males.
Eyes: Large and lively, oval blue eyes, wide-set and with an outer corner that is slightly upward, complementing the wedge-shaped face.
Ears: Medium size, wide-set and moderately open, continuing the wedge-shaped line. Ears are broad at the base, rounded at the tips, and tipped forward.
Profile: Profile has a slight curve, ending in a straight, medium-length nose. Chin well-developed and strong, aligned with the nose and upper lip.
Neck: Sturdy.
2. Body (Total Score: 30 Points)
Size and Bone Structure: Large and long, broad and solid, with large bone structure. Overall shape is rectangular in design, possessing a full chest and consistent width across the shoulders and hips. Body solid and muscular, but not obese. Some abdominal fat is acceptable. Females are generally smaller than males. Young adults are allowed a slower maturation period.
Physique: Overall well-proportioned and balanced.
Legs and Tail: Legs with large bone structure, medium length. Hind legs longer than front legs. Front legs are short-haired, while hind legs are long-haired, full and have a feathered pant appearance. Paws: Large, round, and proportionate. Covered with tufts of hair. Tail: Long and full-furred.
3. Coat (Total Score: 30 Points)
Texture: Rich outer coat, natural and not dull, of medium length; minimal undercoat. Hair flows with the body lines, ideally having a full ruff. Face is short-haired, ruff is long-haired. Hair is short over the shoulder blades and gradually gets longer to the tail. Short coats are acceptable due to un-neutered adult cats and seasonal variations.
Color: Six pointed colors: Seal, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Flame/Red, Cream. Points may be solid, tabby, or tortie. All Ragdolls are pointed, but certain points may be overlaid with white. Body: Subtle shading is acceptable, but clear color is preferred. Darkening of the color with age is permissible, but there must be a clear contrast between the points and the body. Points: Point areas concentrated on the face, ears, legs, paws, and tail, dense and clear. No shading. A deeper shade on the belly may occur (in mitted and pointed cats).
4. Deductions
Coat: Undercoat too thick, standing up. Too fluffy, not close-lying.
Eyes: Small or round. Eye Color: Very light blue or very dark blue -- so dark that it appears black.
Nose: Roman Nose.
Body: Squat, short legs.
Tail: Stumpy tail; tail with irregular lumps.
5. Disqualifications
Nose: Any kink in nose, not in a straight line.
Color: Anything other than the prescribed body and facial color; eyes not blue.
Other: Kinky tail, crossed eyes, polydactylism.
6. Ragdoll Patterns
Pointed: Pointed throughout. Older cats may have shading in the coat, but the coat color must contrast clearly with the point areas. Disqualification: White patches anywhere on the body.
Bicolor: White inverted V lies on the inside of the eye rims. Symmetry is preferable. White spotting may appear on the upper body. Legs and feet: White throughout preferred, but black spotting may occur. Deductions: The inverted V extends beyond the eye rims, asymmetry. White ears. Disqualification: The inverted V is absent or has dark spots. Large areas of color on legs.
Colorpoint: Point areas are limited to the ears, tail, and face. The face is usually limited to the top of the head. Deductions: Colored areas on the body exceed 20%. Disqualification: Complete absence of points on the head or tail.
Mitted: A blaze from the nose to the forehead. The chin is white and extends to the belly. The front wrists are evenly encircled with a white mitt. The hind legs are also encircled with a white mitt, but the height is specified: It must be at least to the elbow but below the mid-thigh. Disqualification: Chin is not white.
Two Versions of the Ragdoll Standard Circulating in China
In China, there are two different versions of the Ragdoll breed standard:
CFA Standard: This is the most authoritative breed standard internationally, and it is the standard followed by most Ragdoll breeders and enthusiasts.
IRCA Standard: IRCA (International Ragdoll Cat Association) is the founding association of Ragdolls, and its breed standard differs slightly from the CFA standard. Due to IRCA's smaller size, its standard has limited international influence.
Ragdoll Personality Traits
Besides their appearance, Ragdolls are also known for their endearing personalities. Ragdolls are gentle, affectionate, and enjoy human companionship, making them known as “the dogs of the cat world.” They are intelligent and easy to train, and they rarely make sharp noises, making them suitable for home environments.
Summary
Ragdolls, as a beautiful and docile cat breed, are highly sought after for their distinctive appearance and personality. Understanding the CFA breed standard can help us better identify the qualities of Ragdolls, allowing us to better appreciate their beauty.
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