Cat Breeds 101: Ragamuffin

Cat Breeds 101 - Ragamuffin
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Known to be one of the variants of Ragdolls, the Ragamuffin is a breed of cat that is best recognized for its very expressive set of eyes, that seem to be begging most of the time. Having been developed in 1994 by Ann Baker’s “cherubim breed”, the Ragamuffin is generally considered as a relatively new breed. The ancestors of the “cherubim breed” were actually the street cats from California USA in the 1960s.

In 2003, the breed was registered by the Cat Fanciers’ Association. Eight years later, the Ragamuffin achieved its championship status from the CFA. All other organizations have granted the championship status to the Ragamuffins except for The International Cat Association (TICA). In fact, TICA is yet to recognize Ragamuffin as a new feline breed.

Thw Ragamuffin is a breed of cat that comes in all varieties of coat patterns and colors. Some have white while others don’t. Some of the most common coat patterns for this breed include tabby, solid, mink, or tortoiseshell. The breed may have medium to long fur which resembles that of rabbits. The breed’s coat is mostly dense, silky, and soft in texture. Despite the thickness of this breed’s coat, they are still known to be of less maintenance. Their coats do not easily form into tangles and mats compared to other breeds provided that regular brushing is maintained.

The Ragamuffin has large walnut-shaped eyes. Most associations accept all colors for the breed’s eyes depending on the patterns and colors of the coats.

Meanwhile, the hind legs are quite longer than the forelegs though they still come in proportion to the body size and length. The breed is further known for its substantial bone structure and full body. According to the CFA standard, Ragamuffins may appear in medium to large sizes. Though both muscular, males are larger than females in most cases. Males usually weigh between 14 and 20 pounds while the female’s weight averages from 8 to 13 pounds. Full maturity is usually achieved after four years. [2]

Ragamuffins are widely believed to be excellent companions at home not just for families with children and pets at home, but also for people living alone. They are the type that normally offers comfort and support in times of distress. Some fanciers of Ragamuffins who have also raised Ragdolls claimed that the temperament and behavior of the two breeds seem to be similar.

The Ragamuffins are also best noted for their patient and calm temperament. In fact, they can just content themselves resting on their owner’s lap while the latter is busy working on the laptop or watching TV.

As documented by the CFA standard, Ragamuffins are affectionate and people-oriented creatures. Given their sweet disposition, they also love to be cuddled, cared for, or pampered by their human companions. They are also outgoing types of cats that usually love pleasing their owners and the rest of the members of the family.

References:
[1] https://www.iams.com/pet-health/cat-breeds/ragamuffin
[2] https://www.cfainc.org/Breeds/BreedsKthruR/Ragamuffin.aspx

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