History & origin
The Ragdoll was developed in the 1960s in Riverside, California by a breeder named Ann Baker. She started with a long-haired white female cat named Josephine and bred her with several other cats, selecting for the breed's signature traits: docility, large size, and the tendency to go limp when held. The breed was officially recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1979 and by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in 1993. Today, the Ragdoll consistently ranks among the top 5 most popular pedigreed breeds in the United States according to CFA registration data.
Personality & temperament
Ragdolls are famously calm, gentle, and people-oriented. They follow their humans from room to room, greet you at the door, and many learn to fetch — earning them the nickname "puppy cats." Unlike many breeds, Ragdolls genuinely enjoy being held, and most will go limp in your arms when picked up. They get along well with children, dogs, and other cats, and adapt easily to apartment living. Their soft voices and undemanding nature make them ideal companions for first-time cat owners, seniors, and families with children. They are not high-energy cats — expect calm couch companionship far more often than zoomies.
Appearance & colors
Ragdolls are large, broad-chested cats with semi-long, silky coats and signature deep blue eyes. They come in six recognized colors (seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream) and three pattern types: colorpoint (darker face, ears, legs, and tail), mitted (colorpoint with white "mittens" on the paws and a white chin), and bicolor (white inverted "V" on the face and more white throughout). Their coats are surprisingly low-maintenance for a semi-long-haired breed because Ragdolls lack the dense undercoat that causes matting in most longhaired cats. Twice-weekly brushing keeps them tidy.
Health considerations
Ragdolls are generally a healthy breed with a lifespan of 12–17 years, but one hereditary condition deserves attention: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart disease in cats. A specific Ragdoll mutation (HCM-R) can be tested for via a simple cheek swab. At Pet Therapy, every Queen and Sire in our Ragdoll breeding program is screened for HCM-R before breeding, and the results are available to families upon request. We also screen for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) as standard practice. Every Pet Therapy Ragdoll kitten goes home with a 1-year written genetic health guarantee covering hereditary and congenital conditions.
Why choose a Pet Therapy Ragdoll
Our Ragdoll program is built around three principles. First, health: HCM-R and PKD screening before any breeding pair is matched, and every kitten ships with a vet-checked health record. Second, temperament: we hand-raise every litter underfoot — kittens grow up around adults, children, other cats, and household noise, so they arrive at your home already confident and well-socialized. Third, honest stewardship: we never accept deposits on litters that aren't yet born, and all of our Queens and Sires are available for FaceTime verification on request. We work with families across the United States (except Hawaii) and ship via professional flight nanny — cabin-carried, never cargo.