ABOUT RAGDOLLS
Developed by American breeder Ann Baker in the 1960s, Ragdoll cats are best known for their docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature. The name "Ragdoll" is derived from the tendency of individuals from the original breeding stock to go limp and relaxed when picked up like a child’s ragdoll. The Ragdoll is an all-around best buddy to just about everyone. They love their human families, even children, and will get along with other pets fairly well. When Ragdolls play, they tend to be more gentle than other cat breeds by not extending their claws. Ragdoll cats often are known as "puppy-like cats" due to behaviors such as their tendency to follow people around, their ease at being physically handled, and their relative lack of aggression toward other pets. Because they are a docile breed, they are not good at defending themselves and must never be allowed to venture outdoors. If you’re looking for a companion, you can’t find a much better choice than one of these easygoing felines.
Ragdoll cats are a large cat breed with semi-long haired/bunny soft fur, bright blue eyes, and a distinct color-point coat (darker color on the face, ears, legs, and tail). Kittens are born white, and color will start to appear during the first week. The Ragdoll breed is a slow maturing breed reaching full size at 4 years and full coat color between 2 to 3 years. Full grown altered male Ragdolls usually weigh 15-20 pounds; full grown altered female Ragdolls usually weigh 10-15 pounds.
What is a Mink Ragdoll?
Minks are a particular type of Ragdoll. The term “Mink” does not refer to a color or a pattern. It is not a different breed, either. Minks are true purebred, SBT and TICA registered Ragdolls. Their bloodline can be traced back to the very first Ragdolls produced by Ann Baker and other IRCA Ragdoll breeders.
Mink and Traditional Ragdolls are similar in many ways, as in personalities, floppy-ness, color, and patterns, but there are some distinct differences. Minks are born with color (light brown); Traditionals are born white. The points (face, mask, ears, legs, and tail) on the Minks are much darker than the Traditionals. Another notable difference is the eye color. While Traditional Ragdolls have bright blue eyes, Minks have mesmerizing aqua eyes, combining blue and green coloring. Their eyes are the color of oceans.
Mink Ragdolls got their name because the fur of this type of Ragdoll cat is much smoother than that of a Traditional Ragdoll. This might be hard to imagine since Ragdolls are known worldwide for exceptionally smooth coats. Still, the feeling you get when you pet a Mink is of mink fur.
For additional information and reading material of Ragdoll cats and their breed, please take a look at the following links: