General Description
The Ragamuffin is a long-haired domestic cat similar in appearance to the Ragdoll.
Ragamuffins are fairly large cats, queens weigh between 4.54 and 6.80 kg (10 to
15 lb) and toms weigh between 6.80 and 9.07 kg (15 to 20 lb). Each cat has a
fatty pad on its lower abdomen and all are heavily boned.
Ragamuffins have plush, non-matting, soft fur which comes in many color
varieties. The cats have very large expressive eyes.
They take longer to mature than most other cats, approximately 4 years to
reach adulthood. Ragamuffins typically have long life spans in comparison to
other domestic cats. They are a healthy robust feline with no recognized
illnesses.
History
The Ragamuffin is one of the newest breeds of domestic cat. It was created in
1994. The exact development of this breed is cloudy and will likely remain a
mystery. It was accepted in the
Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) miscellaneous class in 2003.
Mrs. Ann Baker
Many believe the Ragamuffin resulted from accidental breeding. Some accounts
suggested Mrs. Baker started the breed in the 1960s with a Ragdoll cat named
Josephine and a regular, non-pedigree cat. The kittens turned out so cute
and so special; Mrs. Baker wanted to preserve their special qualities by
breeding Josephine's offspring and by being the only person to breed and sell
Ragamuffins. Mrs. Baker's restrictions created friction between herself and the
other breeders, who ultimately, branched off on their own and pushed for the new
registry with the CFA.
Colour forms
This breed has several of the color formations that are present on Ragdolls,
but also has a variety of different colors. Some colors include: all variations
of pointed color, including Tortie Point, Red Point, and Lynx Point. It is said
that Particolor and Mitted Ragamuffins are virtually identical to Ragadolls.
Personality
The Ragamuffin is described as a docile and affectionate cat. They are highly
intelligent and love to play. Placid and loving have also been used to describe
this feline. Because of their gentle nature, Ragamuffins are generally kept
indoors for their own protection.
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