Ragdolls were developed in the 1960’s by Ann Baker, a Persian breeder in California, some of whose original stock consisted of sturdy, free-roaming cats. It is thought she created the foundations of the Ragdoll breed by selecting kittens out of Josephine, a semi-feral longhaired white female Persian/Angora type, sired by several unknown male Birman-like or Burmese-like cats, one with Siamese markings. Out of those early litters came Blackie, an all black Burmese-like male and Daddy Warbucks, a Birman-like pointed male. Daddy Warbucks sired the founding bicolor female Fugianna, and Blackie sired Buckwheat, a dark brown/black Burmese-like female. Both Fugianna and Buckwheat were daughters of Josephine. All Ragdoll cats are descended from Josephine through matings of Daddy Warbucks to Fugianna and Buckwheat.
By selecting individuals with the look and temperament she wanted for her breeding program, Anne Baker created the standard Ragdoll type. Denny and Laura Dayton are credited with bringing the Ragdoll breed to worldwide recognition by various cat registration organizations. What is known is that this breed was selectively bred over many years for desirable traits, such as large size, gentle demeanor, and a tendency to go limp when picked up.
AS DNA TESTING HAS NOW BECOME MORE AVAILABLE, WE ARE ABLE TO BETTER TRACE THE ROOTS OF THE RAGDOLL. IT IS NOW KNOWN THROUGH DNA THAT IT HAS TAKEN SEVERAL BREEDS TO MOLD THE RAGDOLL INTO A BLUE EYED POINTED CAT WITH THE VARIOUS PATTERNS. IN THE 1960'S AND 1970'S, THERE WERE MAINE COON USED FOR THE LYNX PATTERN, WHICH ALSO CREATED LARGER SIZE, THE SOMALI WAS USED TO BRING IN CINNAMON & FAWN POINTS. HIMIALAYAN BROUGHT IN RED TO GIVE US TORTIES AND RED. HOWEVER, THERE WAS ALSO BIRMAN USED TO BRING IN THE RED GENE. THE BIRMAN WAS USED FOR CHOCOLATE AND LILAC. A BLUE POINT BALINESE WAS USED IN 1968 TO BRING IN THE FIRST CARRIERS OF THE DILUTE TO SEAL.
SLOWLY, BUT SURELY, I AM COMPILING DNA RESULTS TO REFLECT SCIENTIFIC FACTUAL HISTORY, AND WILL BE EVENTUALLY WRITING A BOOK ON THE ARCHITECTUAL DESIGN OF THE RAGDOLL.
