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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Ragdoll or BSH?

49 replies

brooklynbaby · 11/12/2016 10:03

In the new year (probably around easter time) I would like to get a cat. I love the look of ragdolls and have read that they are quite relaxed and placid. I also love British short hairs. I would rescue if possible but would like a kitten.

Can anyone advise on either of these breeds and suggest which one might be better?

I have a toddler and will keep them apart while the kitten is small and will never leave them unsupervised.

OP posts:
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SuperLoudPoppingAction · 11/12/2016 10:06

Would this be an indoor or outdoor cat?

Madbengalmum · 11/12/2016 10:07

If you are willing to groom regularly i would go with the ragdoll as have had both and BSH although beautiful can be aloof. Whereas ragdolls are generally more chilled.

TheoriginalLEM · 11/12/2016 10:10

im not allergic to cats. except for bsh so that would make my decision. We had a bsh at work and christ did he moult

Original poster
brooklynbaby · 11/12/2016 10:11

It would be indoor. I wouldn't want to risk letting them out in case they were stolen and/or were injured.

My friend has a BSH and now you mention it he is very aloof. I wondered whether it was just his personality though.

OP posts:
AngelsWithSilverWings · 11/12/2016 10:19

I don't know too much about the breeds you mention but I have Burmese cats and they really are the most loving and affectionate cats ever, especially the males.

My male has learned to fetch like a dog, comforts the children ( and me) by rubbing tears away with their face when they are upset arms insists on sleeping under the covers with my DS every night.

The female follows me everywhere and wants to be carried around like a baby the whole time.

They are quite happy being indoor cats and most breeders recommend it because they are so friendly they will go to anyone who offered them a cuddle. I take mine out for walks in the garden with a harness.

They do prefer to be kept in pairs though.

thecatneuterer · 11/12/2016 10:36

I doubt you will find a rescue pedigree kitten. Why are you so set on a breed? If you get a rescue cat you will be helping to solve the problem of the oversupply of cats, which means many end up being put down and many more die on the streets. If you pay a breeder to bring more cats into the world you are not only not helping, you are contributing to the problem.

If you want kittens rescues have hundreds. However there is a kitten season which is from March to November. Some will be born out of season but not that many, so you many need to wait for a while for a small kitten, or consider an older kitten (say six months) or young adult.

And if you avoid pedigrees then you don't have to worry so much about your cat being stolen.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/12/2016 13:53

Persians are awesome!!

Original poster
brooklynbaby · 11/12/2016 16:49

I know it's better to rescue rather than buy but I'd like a pedigree so that I can research their temperament and know how they're likely to behave. And I really like the look of the different breeds of cat. Is that bad?

I will have a look into burmese and Persian too Smile

OP posts:
Madbengalmum · 11/12/2016 16:56

No, BSH are genrally more aloof. Nice breed but not mega friendly. If you like long haired cats also consider a maine coon for temperament.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/12/2016 17:30

Plenty of Persian rescues.

thecatneuterer · 11/12/2016 17:56

If you get an adult rescue you will know their temperament very well.

I just find it saddening that if someone obviously likes cats enough to want to have one, it doesn't translate into actually wanting to save lives and alleviate suffering, which is what adopting a rescue cat/kitten means.

Not only does buying from a breeder not help the problem it is making it worse. And many breeders are appalling - keeping cats in terrible conditions. Our rescue has been involved in a number of cruelty cases involving breeders. Our rescue has also had litters of sick pedigree kittens left in our clinic by breeders who realise they can't sell them and don't want to pay for their care. Another box of sick pedigree kittens was found by a bin. Unfortunately they were found too late and didn't make it.

So if you ask me 'Is that bad?'. I have to say that yes, I think it is.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/12/2016 19:38

TCN, I could not agree more. my beautiful rescue babies were breeding queens from what sounds like a kitten farm: the person who rescued them is still traumatised by the conditions they were kept it and so were the cats. One of the group died and another one was so poorly she almost died. But with a lot of patience they are the most wonderful cats. Affectionate and beautifully behaved. Although they don't have a clue how to play. Which makes me sad. But I am truly blessed to have them and so proud that they are mine. Hopefully the past 16 months has helped make up for their crap first five years.

Francescaestee · 11/12/2016 19:42

I have a rescue bsh, she's lovely but not very friendly. She likes alone time or to sit and watch. She is also a bit swipey does not like my 3 yr old. I love her to bits but in my opinion a ragdoll is more loving. And they are known as puppy cats as they are apparently dog like

Francescaestee · 11/12/2016 19:44

Also look out for rescue charities that specialises in breeds.

neonrainbow · 11/12/2016 19:51

Bloody hell she wants to buy a kitten why the massive guilt trip? Not everyone wants a rescue pet.

My ragdoll is pretty aloof. She is not a lap cat although they are supposed to be. She will have fuss bit on her own terms but she is affectionate in her own way and very clever.

Minta85 · 11/12/2016 19:54

I grew up with a girl BSH. She was very purry and liked to be around us, but wasn't a lap cat as such. She preferred to be in the same room as us, or to sit next to us but not on us. My current Burmese boy is much cuddlier and loves to sit on me, though he also likes to practise his hunting skills on my husband and I! If you decide on a Burmese, I think it's a good idea to get two so that they can play fight with each other instead of you!

msrisotto · 11/12/2016 20:01

The best way to ascertain temperament is to meet the individual cat/kitten. If it runs away or snuggles up etc. You get to meet many more choices in a rescue centre.

RaaRaaTheLion · 11/12/2016 21:00

I'm biased but we have a beautiful seal colourpoint ragdoll as of today! She's from a friend who couldn't keep her any more due to personal circumstance but she's been here 6 hours and is as soppy as anything.

Photo for cuteness Grin

Ragdoll or BSH?
Domino45 · 11/12/2016 22:03

RaaRaa you're ragdoll is gorgeous! I had the same dilemma and couldn't decide between a ragdoll and a BSH. Both are beautiful breeds! I got a cream BSH in the end. He's not a lap cat, but very talkative and purs lots. Maine Coon cats are a lovely breed too.

Original poster
brooklynbaby · 11/12/2016 22:20

RaaRaa she's so gorgeous Smile she looks very comfortable with you to say she's only been there 6 hours!

I understand everything that's been said about it being better to rescue and who could argue.

But am I being really stupid to ask what would happen to the different breeds if everyone rescued? Would they just die out? I don't want to end up feeling guilty for buying rather than rescuing but I really love the idea of having a ragdoll.

OP posts:
Minta85 · 11/12/2016 23:07

I've sometimes wondered about this same question, and I think it would a great shame if lots of cat breeds died out. I think there's nothing wrong with buying a pedigree kitten from a reputable breeder, as long as you do your research about what to look for and are prepared to look after the cat properly (grooming especially for long haired breeds, feeding, vet visits, neutering/spaying etc). It's your life after all, and you're going to be the one living with and caring for your cat for hopefully many years, so I think it's important that you're happy with the cat you've chosen. You might have particular reasons for wanting a specific breed - maybe you're looking for certain personality traits, or really like the look of a particular breed. There may also be circumstances in which a rescue cat isn't a ready option, for example cat shelters wouldn't consider rehoming to us because we live in a flat and so needed an indoor cat. I should probably add that I don't support the continuation of breeds which have characteristics which may reduce the cat's quality of life, such as Munchkins (and I'm not convinced about Scottish Folds or American Curls).

RamblinRosie · 12/12/2016 00:29

I had a cream BSH about 35 years ago, my neighbors bought him from Harrods! When they moved he didn't match the new decor, so they left him, he was beautiful, but quite standoffish, he was also quite clumsy and regularly got beat up by the local cats.

I'm always worried about kittens with young children, roughness happens and often the cat ends up distant to people.

I'm a fan of the 12-24 month old, you can get an idea of the temperament, so you know what you're getting, the cat can get away from the children without harm to anyone.

I wouldn't worry about breeds dying out, there are plenty of people who want them.

In my experience , mogs make the best family cats.

Doughnutsmademefat · 12/12/2016 00:33

Neon it's not really a case of 'wanting' a rescue, I think that those of us that do, are trying to do the right thing. Whatever- people differ.
Be aware of kitten farming OP, it's a murkier world when animals are bought and traded.

Original poster
brooklynbaby · 12/12/2016 12:21

I've had moggys before that were rescues and I agree that rescue is the better option. But I don't see anything wrong in buying a pedigree from a reputable breeder and I don't see it as contributing to the issue.

OP posts:
msrisotto · 12/12/2016 15:27

You do get some pedigree cats in rescue centres and you can get specialist rescue centres for specific breeds.