The history of the Ragdoll cat

The Ragdoll cat breed was created by Ann Baker from Riverside, California in the 1960’s. She originally breed from a Persian/angora - like white and a sealpoint Birman - like cat. Ann had been borrowing cats from her friend/neighbour the Pennels.who had a large colony of cats most of which were likely to be feral One of the cats was Blackie, a son of a white Persian/Angora cat named “Josephine”.


One day a car hit Josephine. For the first time Josephine allowed Mrs Pennel to touch her. Mrs Pennel was able to take Josephine to the vet for treatment. After full recovery Josephine moved back into the colony and soon had a litter of kittens.


Josephine’s behaviour had change she was more laid back and became more affectionate.


Ann Baker was very impressed with one of the kittens from this litter; he was a mitted seal point brother of Blackie. She believed that the accident had mellowed Josephine character giving her kitten’s laid-back loving dispositions. She named him “Daddy Warbucks”. Ann at some point obtained a daughter of Josephine a black heavy coated female called “Buckwheat”, who was similar to a Burmese. She obtained another female called Fugianna a mismarked bicolour, Fugianna and Buckweheat were bred to Daddy Warbucks and this is how the foundation of the Ragdoll breed was formed.


In the early 1980’s two friends, Lulu Rowley and Pat Brownsell, imported Ragdolls from the United States into the UK and it is thanks to these two ladies that we can all enjoy the breed.


The Ragdoll is probably one of the most laid-back of all breeds of domesticated cats. It is relatively undemanding, very tolerant, gentle and relaxed.


Please remember Ragdolls are very trusting, they must be kept as indoor cats only.