History of Ragdolls

The story behind the Ragdolls history is a rather peculiar and controversial one. It is believed that back in 1965 a cat called Josephine, a white Angora and Persian mixed breed, had a litter of kittens to an unknown sire. Almost tragically during her pregnancy Josephine was hit by a car but fortunately didn’t sustain injuries serious enough to damage the kittens, nor Josephine permanently.

The owner, Ann Baker claimed that during Josephine’s stay at the Veterinary Hospital in California she was subjected to secret Government genetic trials which made Josephine very calm, docile and relaxed when picked up. Her litter and subsequent litters exhibited the exact same temperament and so was the beginning of the Ragdoll breed.

Ann Bakers integrity was being questioned by the wider public following some of the odd comments she was making, including that Ragdolls were part cat, part human, completely immune to pain, represented a link to between us and aliens, and not to mention the secret Government trial! These quite bizarre comments caused a break away from her controlled breeding program by Denny Dayton who became instrumental in the future development of the breed.

Denny Dayton initiated the RFCI (Ragdoll Fanciers Club International) which is regarded as being the most reputable and respected cat registries in the World. Dayton also worked tirelessly to get the Ragdoll breed recognised by TICA (The International Cat Association).

Ann Baker has since passed away, and though her peculiar ways made her somewhat of controversial figure, she worked her entire life promoting the Ragdoll breed and no one doubts her remarkable achievement of gifting us with the wonderful Ragdoll breed.

Today there are countless hundreds of breeders around the world and the Ragdoll stands on solid ground, despite its controversial beginnings.