ragamuffin
Friendly, sweet, relaxed, affectionate
Overview
Origin
United States
Life Span
13-16 years
Height
9"-11"
Weight
10-15 pounds
Group
Large-sized long-haired
Price
$1200 - $2000
History
The history of the Ragamuffin cat begins with some of the same foundation members as those used to create the Ragdoll cat. These IRCA Cherubim Cats were developed between 1971 and 1994. Famous IRCA Miracle Ragdolls, Honey Bears, Ragdolls, and Maximilion breeding lines all went into the development of the Ragamuffin cat.
The original IRCA Ragdoll cats and Cherubim cats were registered privately with the International Ragdoll Cat Association founded by a breeder named Ann Baker. Many of the cats used in the foundation of these breeds were descendents of a domestic long-haired cat named Josephine who was of unknown Persian or Angora stock, and who had a reputation for producing kittens that were unusually docile.
By 1994, some IRCA breeders decided to strike out on their own. Because of trademarks on the breed names Ragdoll and Cherubim, these breeders decided to rename progeny from their IRCA Cherubim cats. One of the group's founding members, a breeder named Curt Gehm, suggested the name Ragamuffin, and it stuck.
The group initially allowed a limited number of out crossings to domestic longhair cats and Persians, as well as IRCA Ragdolls. Currently, only cats with at least one Ragamuffin parent and one CFA / ACFA/ GCCF outcross parent qualify as authentic Ragamuffins.
The Cat Fanciers Association accepted the breed in the miscellaneous class in 2003, and promoted them to championship status in 2011.
Care
Nutrition
The Ragamuffin cat doesn't have any special nutritional needs, however these cats thrive on a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet that helps prevent obesity. We recommend choosing a high-quality brand with real meat or fish as the main ingredient.
Grooming
A Ragamuffin cat has a thick, dense undercoat composed of ultrafine hairs that are prone to tangling and matting. These kitties need plenty of attention to keep their coats in top condition. Brush your cat's teeth if you would like to keep them in better health for a lifetime, and consider clipping their toenails as well.
Exercise
Ragamuffin cats love interactive play with their favorite people. They really appreciate it when you take time out for a fun game of laser chase.
Health
Even though Ragamuffins are generally healthy, they are susceptible to two hereditary issues: Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Even some domestic cats are prone to these illnesses; they’re common in many other purebreds, too.
Breed Standard
Body
The RagaMuffin should display a somewhat rectangular shape, with a broad chest, broad shoulders, and a fatty pad in the lower abdomen. Although fully fleshed, RagaMuffin cats shold be well-balanced and not obese.
Head
The head should be a broad modified wedge with rounded edges and no flat planes.. The muzzle should appear short and rounded, and the whisker pads should be puffed, presenting a sweet, almost smiling look. The cheeks should be full and a scooped nose break should be visible in profile. The neck should be short and heavy. Males may display prominent jowls.
Eyes
The RagaMuffin should have large, wide-set, walnut-shaped eyes. A slight slant is acceptable. All eye colors are permitted, including odd-eyed. There are some exceptions to the color rule: Mink-colored RagaMuffin cats must have aqua eyes and cats in sepia colors must display eye colors in yellow-gold to green.
Ears
The ears should be of medium size, and should sit as much on the sides as on the top of the head. The tips of the ears should be rounded and furnishings should be present.
Color
All colors and patterns are acceptable. Pointed RagaMufffin cats and pointed with white colored RagaMuffins may be registered with CFA, but may not be shown. All nose leather and paw pad colors are acceptable.
Coat
The coat should be of medium to medium-long length, with a soft, silky, dense texture.
Tail
The Ragamuffin cat should have a long, proportionate tail with a full plume. The tail should taper slightly from base to end.
Legs & Paws
The legs should display heavy boning, and should be of medium length, with hind legs being slightly longer than forelegs. The paws should be large and round, with tufts between the toes.
Personality & Temperament
If you're looking for a big, friendly, long-haired cat, the Ragamuffin might be the perfect breed for your family. These kitties are very much like Ragdoll Cats; in fact, they are directly descended from that breed and share quite a few similar traits.
Ragamuffin cats make fast friends with everyone they meet, so long as they are treated with respect. Unlike many cats that prefer to be left to their own devices, these kitties love to be held and will relax completely when picked up and snuggled. They enjoy easy-going pursuits such as watching your favorite shows and movies, napping alongside you while you work from home, and snuggling up with you at night.
Despite their tendency to spend lots of time relaxing, Ragamuffin cats do have a playful side. They will happily play on their own, batting a favorite ball or a catnip mouse from here to there. They appreciate interactive games and their families love their adorable, delicate demeanor, which comes out even when they are attacking a toy.
Because their thick, luxurious coats are prone to picking up debris and because their personalities are so relaxed, these cats are best suited to indoor life. Even though they might be able to withstand cold temperatures, they simply aren't meant to brave the elements or face hazardous situations.