Ragamuffin

Appearance and features:

Ragamuffins have a head that is a broad, modified wedge with a moderately rounded forehead and a nose dip. The body should appear rectangular with a broad chest and broad shoulders and moderately heavy muscling in the hindquarters, with the hindquarters being equally broad as the shoulders. There should be a fatty pad in the lower abdomen. Fur length is to be slightly longer around the neck and outer edges of the face, resulting in the appearance of a ruff. The fur should increase in length from the top of the head down through the shoulder blades and back, with the coat on the sides and stomach being medium to medium long.

Size:

This is a medium to large-size cat weighing 10 to 20 pounds.

Family:

The IRCA Cherubim Cats developed from 1971-1994 (23 years) were used as the foundation cats for the RagaMuffin Breed and included the IRCA Miracle Ragdolls, Ragdolls, Honey Bears, and Maxamillion lines.

Coloring:

Every color and pattern is allowable, with or without white. Some color patterns, such as pure white, are rarer than others and are generally in greater demand.

Origin:

In the 1960s, a regular, non-pedigreed, white, domestic long-haired cat named Josephine (of unknown Angora or Persian stock), who had produced several litters of typical kittens, eventually produced a litter of unusually docile kittens. When the subsequent litter produced more of the same, Ann Baker (an established cat breeder) purchased several kittens from the owner and set out to create what is now known as the Ragdoll. The sires were of unrecorded Birman or Burmese ancestry.

The most obvious difference between typical RagaMuffins and Ragdolls is the required point coloration in Ragdolls, where as the RagaMuffin is allowed any color and pattern. The Standard of Perfection describes the RagaMuffin as requiring a ‘Sweet’ overall expression with large, rounded with pinch at the corner Walnut Shaped Eyes versus the Ragdoll’s thinner, slightly angled Almond Shaped eyes. Adding to the sweet expression, RagaMuffins have rounded contours between the ears and a nose scoop versus the Ragdoll which calls for flat planes. RagaMuffins call for a flatter topline and Ragdolls call for a more angular topline with the raised hind quarter. RagaMuffin coats are to be Plush in texture and the Ragdoll allows for both Silky or Plush coats.

Temperament:

Ragamuffins are very outgoing and social cats. Much like the Maine Coon, they greet their guests at the door and love being a part of the social activities of the family. They get along well with dogs and other cats and can be a good traveling companion as they are easily leash trained.

Health concerns:

Ragamuffins are generally healthy, but there are hereditary health issues to be aware of, that include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease.