n the early '60s a woman in Riverside, California, by the name of Ann Baker created the RAGDOLL by breeding what was believed to be a white female Persian-type cat [Josephine] to a Seal Point Birman. One of the male offspring from this breeding was then bred to a Burmese. This was the foundation for the Ragdoll. (see a more detailed history) Ann bred Ragdolls in both the solid and pointed varieties. As early pedigrees show, they were also bred in various colors, such as black and white, tortie, mink, smoke and lynx to name just a few. She believed that the solids were necessary to maintain size, enhance eye color and other various features of the pointed Ragdoll. Here is an early pedigree with some of her cats, look for the cattery name of "Raggedy Ann" to see the colors used. (early Ragdoll pedigree)

t the time Ann had been borrowing one of Josephine's older sons to sire progeny in her Black Persian breeding program. This son had the appearance of a Black/Brown Persian and she named him Blackie, and it was one of her visits to borrow him that she saw Blackie's brother. He appeared most impressive and in Ann's words had the appearance of a Sacred Cat of Burma, (The Birman Breed). Having already established the owner's trust, she was also permitted to borrow this cat to mate with her own females. She was most taken with this son of Josephine and named him Raggedy Ann Daddy Warbucks. He possessed white mitts in front and white boots in the back with a dark seal face ears and tail and Blue eyes and a white Blaze with a white Tail Tip. What Ann clearly states is that Blackie and Daddy Warbucks are both sons of Josephine, but with different sires, half brothers. In the IRCA booklet (an association that Ann formed in 1971) it would appear to indicate that Blackie's father was a black cat from the East, that appeared more Persian than Burmese. During detailed questioning, Ann confirmed that no-one had ever seen the father of Daddy Warbucks, and he was the only kitten in that particular litter of Joesphine's. This being so, makes it difficult to take the origins of the breed further. (breeders' history: Pestil-Lu and Pandapaws).

(*note: IRCA, Inc. still operates today; after Ann's death, Jeannie Jones in Phoenix, Arizona is now IRCA Office of the Recorder).

he RAGDOLL was first recognized as a pure breed in 1965 by NCFA (now defunct). Following that achievement Ann did nothing to further the Ragdoll in the fancy. Fortunately, a new breeder husband and wife team (Laura and Denny Dayton) bought their first breeding pair from Ann in 1969 and realized the breed had to be shown and accepted by the various associations in the fancy. Their cattery was named "Blossom-Time". In order to promote these cats, he founded the Ragdoll Society which later became the RFC and is known today as the RFCI (Ragdoll Fanciers Club International) in February of 1975. The original Ragdoll Society consisted of the Daytons and 8 other breeders. Denny Dayton is also responsible for the Ragdoll Genetic Chart, a very large Ragdoll pedigree that includes almost all the Ragdoll cats bred under the rules of the RFCI...the chart is updated annually. RAGDOLLS are accepted today in all major cat associations. However, some associations do not allow Ragdolls in certain patterns and colors to compete for championship, for example the CFA will only allow Vans and Bicolors to compete, although Colorpoints and Mitteds may be registered. The CCA allows the pointed version to compete but not the solids, minks or smokes.

The Dayton's continued, however, only promoting the pointed version of the Ragdoll to the breed clubs. The non-pointed Ragdolls fell to the wayside, so to speak, and now are a very controversial aspect in the Ragdoll breed. They are true Ragdolls and as such are allowed to be registered and used in breeding programs but they have never been given champion status.

There are approximately 30 breeders worldwide that are now breeding these rare lines of  non-pointed, smoke, mink and solid Ragdolls. Those that have show quality non-pointed Ragdolls are starting to bring them into the show halls and are presenting them to the judges for evaluation. Hopefully one day soon they will be accepted for championship status. Once they have championship status they can compete in show rings for ribbons and titles!

Some breeders use the non-pointed solid Ragdolls in their breeding program because they have no wish to outcross to other breeds as many, many breeders did to bring in the rarer red color or lynx pattern. They wish to keep the Ragdoll breed as pure as possible.

And by using these lines not only were they able to continue the non-pointed solid lines that Ann Baker had, but they were also able to introduce renewed vigor yet still keep the purity of the bloodlines.

Many breeders continue these lines because we love the beautiful colors and wonderful laid back temperaments that go with them.

In 1997, finally after 20+ years of breeding the Ragdolls, a large group of RFCI members motioned to vote on the acceptance of the Ragdoll in flame color and lynx in point. The majority voted for the acceptance.

As of May 1, 1998 the two largest American cat associations, CFA and TICA, amended their standards to include the flame and lynx Ragdolls. Someday, hopefully soon, all associations will accept all colors and all patterns...the same way that breeders of Ragdolls have done now for over 30 years!