Tell me about your Ragdoll

[peonyinparadise]

We have what we think is an adorable rescue Ragdoll. The previous owner (who could not keep her due to allergies) told us that she was a Ragdoll but some early vet documents say 'Siamese'. She has light blue eyes & a silky soft, mottled brown coat (please take a look at the pix and tell me your thoughts on her heritage). She is vocal & incredibly affectionate. If I'm lying down, she will jump onto my chest & gaze straight into my eyes, bless her. Working at the computer, she will sit on the keyboard or my shoulder. Very tolerant of our bumptious 5 year old, only occasionally swiping when it all gets too much. My previous cats have been moggies & much more aloof. This puss is very different in temperament & a delight. I'd be very interested to learn more about the breed from other Ragdoll owners. (Sorry not a great photo, need to dig out better)

I think she looks more like a Siamese. Ragdolls (at least my two) are quite big and muscular and she looks more dainty to me. If I'm correct Siamese tend to be much more vocal. Mine are if they want something or are saying hello.

She's lovely though, congratulations!

I'm not sure that's a pure bred ragdoll to be honest. Aren't they normally a lot fluffier than that? Siamese aren't normally that chunky. Possibly a cross breed with one of those pedigree breeds? The colouring and blue eyes aren't typical moggie, but doesn't look quite like any of the pedigree breeds I can think of either. Very pretty cat though and sounds as if she will make a fantastic pet.

She looks quite dainty and delicate. Ragdolls are quite a large, heavy-set breed. Your description of her personality also sounds very much like a Siamese to me. They are very vocal people cats. I think you've more likely got a Siamese cross than a Ragdoll, especially considering the paperwork. Either way she's totally adorable. There's a Siamese expert on these boards who will definitely give you some advice.

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Thanks for all of your replies, so interesting. She is dainty & petite, not heavy set like my previous moggies. Her fur is very soft & densely fluffy. mid length, not long. I remember that a friend's siamese had a more silken coat than this which was not fluffy. She bustles into the bedroom and shouts good morning to us. If I have been out of her sight for five minutes I get lots of happy hellos. She really is a delightful cat

Oh, the other thing she does is tuck herself into tiny spaces. If a cupboard or drawer is open, she is straight in there, hiding right at the back. Same with bags, boxes & cases. My previous cats were much more cautious about entering confined spaces but she makrsca b-line for them. Is this a trait of a Ragdoll or Siamese?

That's a trait of a nosey cat! Mine will squeeze in anywhere he shouldn't be, including removing the kickboards from the kitchen units one night! He's not a dainty little thing though, more giant pawed heffalump!

I don't know but mine get into suitcases, any kind of box, cupboards, drawers, bags including visitors bags (they no no shame).

I think it might be a cat thing more than a breed thing though.

How lovely that she likes a chat!

know no shame

I think she's a Siamese crossed with something else. If she's dainty then she's not a Ragdoll, they just aren't dainty cats. They are chunky and more muscular than your average moggy IME. But you're right that a fluffy coat isn't really a Siamese trait. Sometimes a moggy that's an interesting cross will produce a really delightful little cat, which is what you appear to have.

Here is a better photo. Dainty, light as a feather, pretty blue eyes. About 4 years old. I am intrigued to find out her breed mix. Are Siamese large cats? She pleasingly coordinates with much of my furniture. (which has been ripped to shreds)

Siamese cats are smaller and daintier than Ragdolls by quite a margin. She's lovely.

What a gorgeous cat.

In terms of colour/pattern, she is a tortoiseshell with the Himalayan/colourpoint pattern.

In terms of breed... well. The Himalayan pattern can be present in most breeds, and is the main or only acceptable pattern in some - including ragdoll and Siamese. But ragdolls are long-haired so she's not a pure ragdoll. And her shape is not like a standard Siamese (long, skinny, angular), though maybe like a short-faced traditional Siamese.

She may well not be a pure-breed anything, though likely to have some Siamese/ragdoll/Birman or one of the other Himalayan-marked breeds in her recent ancestry, as the Himalayan pattern doesn't crop up too often in the general moggy population.

Thanks Dumbledore & Gerund. Yes, she is gorgeous both in looks & personality. Fascinating to hear your thoughts on her recent heritage & Himalayan pattern. I shall dig away in google using this info.

If you google 'tortie-point siamese' you'll see some that are similar :)

She's gorgeous! "Giant pawed heffalump" is a brilliant phrase.

We call them his " boxing paws" toddler , they almost fill the palm of my hand!
Enjoy your pretty kitty peony , whatever she is!

Gerund, Thanks for the Tortie-point Sianese tip. I've had a good google & she definately has those markings. I am going to create a new thread to see what MN Siamese experts say. Siamese tallies with her original vets paperwork & I now see that we were way off the mark with Ragdoll!