|
|
|
History of the
Ragdolls! |
 |
|
It is with Ann
Baker, of California, that the story of the Ragdolls
really begins. It is also the area within the breed's
history that generates controversy. Although much has
already been written about Mrs. Baker and the cats that
founded the breed back in 1963, not all is accurate and
many accounts actually contradict one another. |
|
The most widely
reported story is a neighbor of Ann’s owned a white
Angora cat, named Josephine. At some point Josephine was
hit by a car, and lay at the curbside for some 2 days.
Ann Baker's neighbors worked at the local university,
and they went to Josephine's aid. They found her
injured, but alive, and took her to their place of work
where she was nursed back to health. She suffered head
injuries, however after being nursed back to health,
Josephine recovered without apparent injury. |
|
Before the accident Josephine produced many litters of
kittens. All of which were wild little things. When she
returned home, she resumed her reproductive behavior and
everyone expected the same type of feral kittens, but
something went amiss. |
|
She was mated to
both Burmese and Birman type males. In these resulting
litters, Josephine’s kittens were different than those
born prior to the road accident. Ann's interest in the
kittens was aroused and she recognized the change in
their temperament and this led her to acquire some of
the kittens, and it was their offspring that resulted in
the very first Ragdolls. Ann stated that these kittens
had a new temperament. Instead of them being wild, they
were quite the opposite. They were very playful, loving
and relaxed and seemed to crave human attention.
Josephine’s owner regarded the kittens as something of a
nuisance and was only too happy to part with them. |
|
Of course, this was
the story that generated so many of the present day
myths. Many "authorities" have argued as to how an
accident suffered by Josephine could affect her
offspring at a genetic level. A theoretical possibility
exists that the accident suffered by Josephine could
have rendered her offspring with a quieter nature and a
more relaxed temperament. |
|
Josephine did
sustain internal injuries to her uterus and/or pelvis
and these injuries might have resulted in delayed
passage and/or placental dysfunction. This means that
any fetus suffering from anoxia (deprivation of oxygen
to the brain) might have a degree of brain damage.
Therefore this condition could manifest itself in the
kitten by giving it a quieter disposition. |
|
However, all of this
is speculation, as it is easy to demonstrate that when
the female kittens gave birth this would have been a
transient sign, and thus would affect only Josephine’s
direct offspring. Perhaps a more plausible explanation
is that this chance combination resulted in cats that
over the future years would be bred for the qualities of
good temperament, large size, good coat quality and
striking appearance. With the history of the evolution
of mammals, the unseen force of Mother Nature has
selected stranger qualities. |
|
Regardless, Ragdolls
are blessed with a beautiful nature, and they possess
the extra qualities of non-matting fur, huge size,
non-fighting disposition and a low pain threshold. We
are all grateful that Ann realized these kittens were
special. Due to their ability to totally relax in one’s
arms, like little Ragdoll toys, she named them Ragdolls.
On December 9th, 1975 she registered the Ragdoll name
patent and franchised out future breeding stock under a
strict contract. |
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 822-3815 |
|
|
|
|
