Cat Keeping in the US and UK Compared

In the red corner we have the large, laid-back, but not excessively floppy 'genuine Ragdoll', developed by breakaway breeders and now seen in the UK ("perfectly normal and not in the least limp", Pat Turner, Show World Jan 1993). In the blue corner we have the IRCA variety developed by Ann Baker who claims that her non-aggressive, genetically engineered, floppy-when-held (and even when thrown) cats are the true Ragdolls, the others being an entirely different breed of over bred or half-bred look-alikes sold to an unsuspecting public. In 1992, the following is quoted from a quarter-page advertisement which appeared among breeder ads in a cat magazine:

"Ann Baker, the originator of that genial, huggable breed of house cat called 'Ragdoll Cats' says fraudulent versions of her special feline are on the market. A problem arose when an early franchise purchaser tried to take over the breed. Now there are two entirely different cats on the market with the same name, she says. Only those that qualify for registration through IRCA are authentic Ragdolls."

Also from IRCA are the 'Honey Bear' and 'Miracle' and 'a new breed coming up'. The Honey Bear (claimed to be 'the world's sweetest cat') has a 'childlike personality', while the emerald-eyed Miracle is a 'highly upgraded' Ragdoll in a variety of colors and a choice of long or short hair. IRCA breeds became 'legal breeds the day they were trademarked' thus avoiding the inconvenience of Provisional status. Remember, 'IRCA registers only Cherubims, means Angels non-fighting cats'.

In the US, they existed in parallel and didn't mix; IRCA Ragdolls weren't registered with other associations while 'phoney Ragdolls' weren't registerable with IRCA, but were registerable just about everywhere else - "registerable Ragdolls" gloated the ads. Since this article was originally written, Ann Baker has taken her idiosyncratic view of genetics to the great cattery in the sky. Her feline legacy lives on. IRCA Ragdolls went 'legit' with cat registries as "RagaMuffins". They have the essential Ragdoll characteristics in a wider range of colors and patterns. IRCA Honey Bears are advertised only occasionally.

The quest for the wild-looking cat (or 'Living Room Leopard') has not ended with the California Spangle, Egyptian Mau, Ocicat or Bengal. The American Lynx is a Bobcat hybrid with a wild appearance and tame temperament. Another Bobcat hybrid, the American Bobtail is frequently found in colour-pointed varieties as Bobcat males apparently prefer Siamese queens, although some authorities suggest that the Bobtail originated from a mating between a Himalayan and a short-tailed moggy. Some authorities suggest that it is a Manx-like mutation (tail mutations are surprisingly common in cats) and during 1993, breeder advertisements changed from 'Bobcat-hybrids' to 'Bobcat-look-alikes'.

Despite a high-profile launch, the California Spangled remains uncommon. The Bengal is one of a handful of cats developed using a wild cat species from which the desired pattern was 'imported'. Other hybrids include the Savannah, Chausie, Eurochaus and possibly the PixieBob, a bobtailed, polydactylous cat with possible Bobcat ancestry. The Bombay resembles a miniature black panther, but is a Burmese in a black coat.

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