Category: cat-breed-variation

A Blue Point Ragdoll cat is undoubtedly one of the coolest breeds with an interesting history. It’s hard to believe that its dog-like temperament was developed from stray cats. Thanks to an avid and slightly peculiar breeder who took notice of the potential for a breed with a unique temperament, the Blue Point Ragdoll was developed.

The Blue Point Ragdoll is unlike other cats and has some stand-out attributes. Read on to learn more about the remarkable feline and its unique history.

The Blue Point Ragdoll cat is one of the traditional colors of the Ragdoll breed. The nose, face, ears, front and back legs, paws, and tail of the Blue Point Ragdoll cat have a gray to bluish-gray colorpoint coat pattern, and the color of their fur is a lighter hue of gray. The color points can be either solid or shaded, similar to the Lynx or Tortie designs.

Blue Point Ragdoll Breed Characteristics

The Earliest Records of Blue Point Ragdolls in History

The origin of the Blue Point Ragdoll all started with a stray named Josephine. She was a domestic, longhaired white female like an Angora cat.  A breeder in the 1960s in California named Ann Baker bred Josephine with other cats she found and owned. Josephine’s kittens were unique in that they had a docile, happy temperament and were relaxed when handled, hence the name “Ragdoll.”

Ann Baker decided that these qualities were perfect for a new cat breed. She then carefully selected cats with the temperament and look and worked hard to create a breed that would carry the characteristics she was after. The result was the Ragdoll breed.

How the Blue Point Ragdoll Gained Popularity

As Anne started breeding the unique Ragdoll cat, its adorable looks and laid-back temperament quickly gained popularity. Ann made fascinating claims about the breed as time passed, which caught people’s attention. She claimed that the breed was a result of medically altered genetics, at one point saying that the breed shared human and alien DNA. While this claim is not backed up by facts and is obviously untrue, it got enough attention and put the Ragdoll breed on the radar.

When people learned about their lovely temperament and big hearts, they grew in popularity and are still among the most popular breeds today.

Formal Recognition of the Blue Point Ragdoll

The Ragdoll was fully recognized in 2000, but the Cat Fanciers Association started registering them in 1993. All colors are recognized by most registries today. However, Blue Point Ragdolls have a set of marking requirements which include:

• Blue eyes
• Slate gray paw pads and nose
• Deep blue points
• Blue-gray coat and a white belly

Top 5 Unique Facts About the Blue Point Ragdoll

1. All Ragdoll kittens Are Born Pure White

All Ragdoll kittens are born pure white and slowly start developing their color as they get older, from 2 weeks after birth.

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2. The Ragdoll Is One of the Largest Domestic Cat Breeds

The Ragdoll is a large cat considered one of the largest domestic breeds. A fully grown Ragdoll can weigh 10–20 pounds, with the male being larger than the female.

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3. Ragdolls Love Water

Cats are generally known for hating water. However, the Ragdoll is quite the opposite. They love the sound of running water and will usually be more cooperative when bathing.

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4. Ragdolls Have Beautiful Blue Eyes

One of the reasons a Ragdoll is so popular is because of its beautiful blue eyes, which stand out against its fluffy coat. The gene that is responsible for point coloration is also responsible for their unique blue eyes.

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5. Ragdolls Are More Like Dogs Than Cats

Ragdolls are known for being puppy-like cats because of their behavior with people. They will sit on your lap, follow you, and even wait for you at the door. They also love to be held and will flop into your arms just like a ragdoll, as their name suggests.

Does a Blue Point Ragdoll Make a Good Pet?

Ragdolls were bred for their unique characteristics and are one of today’s most popular cat breeds. The Blue Point is no exception and will make an excellent pet for any family. They are great with kids and other family pets and provide puppy-like qualities that kids will love. Seniors and singles will also enjoy the companionship of the affectionate and easygoing Ragdoll. They love to be around people and are generally more loving than other breeds. Ragdolls are not considered hypoallergenic, so they may not be the best feline companion for allergy sufferers.

Conclusion

The Ragdoll has an odd and entertaining history. While some myths may not be true, they certainly provide a great story. The sweet and docile temperament was created by a creative breeder who saw potential in creating a unique breed. The Blue Point Ragdoll is loved for its gorgeous looks, puppy-like qualities, and floppy posture when held. It is a one-of-a-kind feline that will make an excellent companion for a loving family.

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Featured Image Credit: dezy, Shutterstock

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Ragdolls are beautiful cats with gentle, calm, and friendly personalities. Their wonderful disposition makes them one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. But it is not just their character traits that wins cat lovers over; it’s their incredibly stunning appearance.

Ragdolls are seen in many coat colors and patterns, and while ‘tuxedo’ may be a rarer pattern in the breed, it’s not impossible to find tuxedo-wearing Ragdolls. Keep reading to learn more about both tuxedo patterns and Ragdolls.

Breed Overview

Tuxedo Ragdolls have mostly black coats with white markings on their paws and chest. Some will have white tips, chins, or even a splotch of white on their face. The official term for such a coat pattern is “bicolor,” which translates to ‘any base color with white markings’. While most people consider tuxedo cats black and white, they can come in many other colors.

Tuxedo Ragdoll Breed Characteristics

The Earliest Records of Tuxedo Ragdoll in History

Since “Tuxedo Ragdolls” are not a breed but instead a pattern (tuxedo) found in a breed (Ragdoll), let’s look a little closer at the origins of the pattern and the breed.

Scientists originally attributed the bicolored markings of tuxedo-patterned cats to sluggish genes that moved too slowly to cover the cat’s entire body. Recent research suggests that the white-spotting gene controls the tuxedo’s coloring. As the name suggests, this gene causes white spots to appear, masking the cat’s other fur colors. Tuxedo cats have black coats, but the white-spotting gene hides the black coloring from appearing on certain parts of their bodies.

Cats with tuxedo patterns don’t need two tuxedoed parents to develop their signature coat. If one has the pattern in its gene, it can be passed on to its offspring. More interestingly, tuxedo cats can be born even if neither parent has the markings, as only the black and white genes need to be inherited to produce the tell-tale patterning.

Ragdolls are a relatively new cat breed, originating in California in the early 1960s. The original Ragdolls resulted from breeding a Persian with a long-haired white cat similar in appearance to a Turkish Angora.

How Tuxedo Ragdoll Gained Popularity

Tuxedo patterns have always been popular. Think of some of your favorite cat characters of all time; chances are a handful of them are tuxedos. Felix the Cat, the feline star of the silent era. Sylvester of Looney Toons fame. Tom from “Tom & Jerry”. The Cat in the Hat from Dr. Seuss’s classic book. And, for our Canadian readers, Tuxedo Stan, the cat that founded the Tuxedo Party of Canada and ran for mayor of Halifax in 2012.

According to Nationwide Pet Insurance, Ragdolls are the second most popular cat breed. It’s not just the breed’s beautiful appearance that makes it highly sought after, but its extremely docile personality. Ragdolls are loving and easygoing cats. They earn their name honestly by becoming limp and ragdoll-like when they’re picked up. These large kitties are sometimes referred to as puppy-cats because of how similar they are to dogs.

Formal Recognition of Tuxedo Ragdoll

There is no formal recognition of the Tuxedo Ragdoll as it is not an official breed. You can have a black and white Ragdoll, but it’s not one of the officially recognized Ragdoll variations. In fact, most cat registries will not even recognize a black Ragdoll as they don’t meet the coat standards. In addition, Ragdolls cannot have the tuxedo pattern in their genes unless they’ve been crossed with another cat, rendering them a mixed — and not purebred – breed.

There are only three recognized Ragdoll coat patterns – bicolor (inverted V-mask marking on the face), colorpoint (ears, paws, face, and tail are all colored with the rest of the body being cream), and mitted (paws and chin have white ‘mitts’).

The official standard also states that Ragdolls must have blue eyes to be considered purebred. However, a tuxedo Ragdoll can have blue eyes, but it may also have green or gold eyes.

Top 3 Unique Facts About Tuxedo Ragdolls

1. A tuxedo cat ran for office

As mentioned, a Canadian cat named Tuxedo Stan ran for office in 2012. A group of friends formed the Tuxedo Party of Canada to raise awareness for the increasing feral cat populations in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Though he could not run for office formally, Tuxedo Stan’s campaign gained much attention worldwide. After announcing his candidacy, the black and white cat achieved international acclaim and was endorsed by Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper. Though his mayoral bid failed, it was still a win as the council donated $40,000 to the SPCA to help open a veterinary clinic to spay and neuter feral cats.

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2. Ragdolls are one of the largest domestic cat breeds.

Fully-grown female Ragdolls can weigh up to 15 pounds, while their male counterparts can tip the scales at 20 pounds. They’re not only large when looking at their scale weight, though; Ragdolls have sturdy bones and are very muscular. Females can grow to be as tall as 23 inches, while males can grow to be 26 inches. Even more interesting is that Ragdolls are a slow-to-mature breed, not reaching their full adult size until they’re three or four years old.

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3. Tuxedo cats don’t need to be black & white.

While most people think of tuxedo cats as having black-and-white coloring, they don’t have to be. These beautiful coats can come in gray, silver, orange, and even tortoiseshell. And it’s not just Ragdolls that can have tuxedo coats as they can turn up in several other breeds, including Main Coons, American Curls, Munchkins, Persians, Scottish Folds, and Norwegian Forest Cats.

Do Tuxedo Ragdolls Make a Good Pet?

There’s a reason that Ragdolls are one of the most popular purebred cat breeds. They make fantastic family pets as they love to be around humans and can be more affectionate than the average cat. In addition, these gentle giants are highly intelligent, and their docile personalities help them fit perfectly into families with children. Tuxedo Ragdolls will carry the personality traits of a traditional Ragdoll mixed with the sophisticated look of tuxedo cats thanks to their adorable patterning.

Though the breed is fairly hardy, they may be predisposed to certain health conditions such as obesity, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, urinary tract issues, and hairballs, thanks to their long, luscious coats.

Conclusion

The Tuxedo Ragdoll is a beautiful cat with many fantastic personality traits. They make wonderful family pets and companions, and their bi-color coats are stunning. However, if you’re adopting a Ragdoll with intentions of showing it, you’ll want to choose a cat with a different coat pattern. Unfortunately, no cat registries recognize the tuxedo pattern in Ragdolls.

If you have no plans on attending shows with your kitty, there’s no reason to bypass the tuxedo as one of your coat pattern options.

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Featured Image Credit: Liao Zhiwo Henry, Shutterstock

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If you thought cats don’t like water or can’t be trained to fetch or walk on a leash, you haven’t met the Savannah Cat. A tall, elegant feline with a dog-like personality, this hybrid breed displays feral and domestic traits, including wild solitary behavior and a friendly pet demeanor.

Savannah Cats are athletic and highly intelligent while remaining standoffish, especially with strangers, but extremely affectionate with their owners. Its strikingly spotted coat belays a lean cheetah-like physique crowned the world’s tallest domestic cat by the Guinness Book of Records.

This article contains more unique facts on the F1 generation of the Savannah Cat breed, including its history, identifying features, and how it gained popularity.

The Earliest Records of F1 Savannah Cats in History

In 1986, the F1 Savannah Cat was developed in the US by cross breeding a male African Serval with a female Siamese domestic cat. African Servals are wildcats spread over the sub-Saharan region, weighing between 20 to 40 pounds and mainly solitary.

The hybridization produces typically tall and lean offspring with the characteristic brown spotted coat and pointed ears of Servals.

Besides the Siamese gene pool, other breeds that contributed to what today is the F1 Savannah Cat, include spotted cats like the Oriental Shorthair, Bengal, and Egyptian Mau. Judee Frank, a cat breeder out of Pennsylvania, produced the initial hybrid on April 7, 1986, crossing a male Serval to breed a female, who was aptly named Savannah.

In 1989, a Turkish Angora male and an F1 Savannah later bred viable kittens, but almost 12 years would pass before the breed was registered with TICA, The International Cat Association. TICA also formally accepted the Savannah cat breed’s eligibility as a championship breed in 2021.

How the F1 Savannah Cat Gained Popularity

F1 Savannah Cats are named after their Serval parent’s habitat, and the feline’s grace and beauty echo the lush golden plains of that region. It’s a tall, lean, and relatively heavy cat with a long neck and legs, pointy ears, and a characteristic spot-patterned coat reflecting its wild African cousin.

Despite being a relatively new breed, the F1 Savannah Cat is popular, and there’s a wide network of breeders in North America and worldwide. The half-wild, half-domestic cats are prolific show felines, besides being sought-after house pets due to a high level of intelligence.

However, some say this cat has dog-like qualities, which become apparent as the feline follows its owner around or walks on a leash.

F1 Savannah Cats are high-energy pets, even when they’re several generations along the hybrid line, and their drive for play is intense. It’s a highly sociable cat loyal to its owner, but trainability is the most endearing trait that’s worked well for its popularity.

Formal Recognition of the F1 Savannah Cat

Various short-haired domestic cat breeds are crossed with African Servals to produce the F1 Savannah Cat, which results in many of its physical and behavioral characteristics. After the first Siamese cat pairing in 1986, many breeders contributed to the breed’s development. But notably, Joyce Sroufe, Patrick Kelley, and Lorre Smith contributed most to its formal recognition.

With Joyce and Karen Sausman’s help, Patrick wrote the first breed standards for the F1 Savannah cat in 1996, submitting it to the semiannual board meeting of TICA. But this meeting pronounced a two-year moratorium to revamp the association’s New Breed Program, a move extended for two more years in 1998.

The TICA moratorium ended in September 2000, and by the next month, Lorre Smith, a cat championship show participant and writer, submitted a new ‘Registration Only’ submission for the breed. That same year, the Savannah International Member & Breeder Association, or SIMBA, was formed, helping many breeders become TICA members.

Evaluation show status in 2001 allowed any F3 and lower generation Savannah Cats to enter shows and exhibits after Lorre presented the breeder’s accomplishments to TICA. As a result, SIMBA members exhibited at the Oklahoma City show for the first time in October 2002, and Lorre’s F3 Afrikhan Sophia won rave reviews from all judges.

Top 6 Unique Facts about Savannah Cats

The F1 Savannah Cat is a unique feline breed that gets along with people, but depending on its generation, requires a significant commitment from pet owners.

Some unique facts about it include:

1. Savannah Cats of the F1 Generation Are Rare

F1 generation is the hybrid of a domestic shorthair bred with an exotic African Serval. These are rare because breeding is only sometimes successful, and they are not legal to keep as pets in several states.

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2. Savannahs Are Expensive

Often, breeders need permits, and for F1 generation cats, Servals are rare and costly. You’ll come across purebred F1s costing more than $20,000, while an F2 may cost between $11,000 and $15,000.

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3. Male F1 to F3 Savannahs Tend to Be Infertile

Due to crossbreeding, which makes them rare and costly, breeders often wait until the fourth generation to achieve a fertile male, which drives the cost of females closer to the Serval parentage as they’re more desirable.

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4. F1 Savannah Cats Don’t Digest Corn-Based Foods Well

Their diet is mostly wet and dry combinations of raw or cooked meats. It’s often necessary to bottle feed kittens, especially if you’re rearing a crossbreed of the wild Serval. They also require fresh water even though they may play with it more than they’ll drink.

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5. F1 Savannahs Are the Tallest Domestic Cats

According to the Guinness World Book of Records, the height goes to a feline named Magic, who stood 17.1 inches tall. Magic’s an F1 Savannah with a mother of a domesticated breed and a wild Serval sire.

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6. Their Ownership Is Restricted

There are restrictions to owning an F1 Savannah Cat as a pet in the US, but these get lenient the further away from the Serval heritage the generation is bred. While laws vary in each state, Alabama and Hawaii don’t allow breed ownership due to the protection of wildlife species.

Does a Savannah Cat Make a Good Pet?

The F1 generation has 50% domestic and 50% Serval heritage, so it’s the least domesticated and isn’t a suitable pet for families with small kids and other pets. It is more challenging to care for as a pet than your typical domestic cat due to its heightened energy and athleticism levels.

As such, pet owners must dedicate significant time to provide care and exercise opportunities. Cat proofing homes with tight spaces like apartments is also necessary since the feline is a prolific jumper, and its inquisitive nature means fragile items aren’t safe.

F1 Savannah Cats can bond well with their owners, especially when you’ve raised it from a kitten, but that can’t be said for its attitude with strangers. The feline tends to show aloofness, and sometimes hostility to people or pets it’s not familiar with and won’t display a playful or docile temperament.

Therefore, the F1 Savannah Cat isn’t a popular pet to keep when you have very young children around. That’s especially true due to their size, strength, and wild behavior, which has led several states in the US to restrict its ownership.

Conclusion

The Savannah Cat is a unique hybrid breed with one paw in the wild and the other comfortable snuggling in your lap. It’s a handful that demands a lot of patience but provides adventurous and fun moments for families due to its intelligence and trainability.

Whatever the generation and Serval relation level in a Savannah Cat, they’re an intelligent, highly active, and curious breed. However, cat proofing is sometimes necessary, especially for F1s, as they can develop destructive behavior when they lack sufficient space for physical stimulation and exploration.

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Featured Image Credit: Kolomenskaya Kseniya, Shutterstock

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