Ragamuffin

The Ragamuffin started as a Ragdoll. In the early 1990s, a group of Ragdoll breeders split from the original organization, and they wanted to be able to use all coat colors and patterns, and to develop the breed in their own way. Their cats were given a new name, Ragamuffin, and a new registry later recognized them.

The look is large and sweet. A Ragamuffin is a big, solid cat with a broad head, a round face, walnut-shaped eyes and a plush, rabbit-soft coat. It is a little shorter in the coat than a Ragdoll but dense and silky, with a full ruff and a thick plumed tail.

One difference is color. Unlike the Ragdoll, the Ragamuffin may come in any color or pattern, including tabby, tortoiseshell, solid and bicolor, and the eyes can be blue, green, gold or hazel. This variety is a large part of its charm.

The personality is the same sweet one. Ragamuffins are placid, gentle and trusting, and they like to be carried, cuddled and followed by a child. They are quiet, with a soft voice, and they tend to go limp and purr when picked up.

Ragamuffins mature slowly, taking three or four years to reach full size, and a big male can be twenty pounds. They are sociable and do best with company, and their trusting nature means they belong indoors, where they are safe from traffic, dogs and strangers.

The coat needs a weekly comb, more in spring when it sheds. Health notes include the heart disease HCM, which has a DNA test in related breeds, and kidney and urinary problems. Choose a breeder who health-tests, and keep the cat lean. A well-kept Ragamuffin will be a loving lap cat for many years.