The Himalayan Ragdoll is one of my favorite new designer cat breeds. It combines two stunning-looking cats; the sweet-natured Himalayan and the laid-back Ragdoll. They tend to have long, soft coats and striking blue eyes from kittenhood. Their markings are distinct, with dark faces, ears and paws standing out against a blanket of white or cream fur.
Contents
- Size, coat type, and appearance
- Are Himalayan Ragdoll cats friendly?
- Health problems
- Himalayan Ragdoll breeders
The Himalayan Ragdoll was first bred in 1998 by cat breeder Dr David MacNab in the UK. This breed combines the Himalayan cat with the Ragdoll cat.
The History
The Himalayan cat was developed in the early 1930s in the USA. This breed is a hybrid breed of Persian and Siamese cats. Breeders aimed to produce a Persian body with the pointed pattern of the Siamese. The 1950s saw the official recognition of the Himalayan, accepted by all United States cat registries by the 1960s. However, some years later, the Cat Fancier’s Association and other organizations stopped recognizing the Himalayan as a separate breed and instead identified it as a division of the Persian.
The Ragdoll was developed during the 1960s by Ann Baker, a Persian cat breeder in Riverside, California. Ann’s cat breeding program consisted almost entirely of free-roaming cats. She first bred Josephine, a long-haired white female found running loose in the neighborhood, to other cats she owned or found. Josephine’s offspring had unique and desirable temperament traits. By selecting individuals with the characteristics she sought for her breeding program, Ann created the Ragdoll.
Himalayan Ragdoll Appearance
This mixed breed has deep blue eyes, and usually round eyes along with a fairly flattened muzzle. Their bodies are heavy boned, and they have average length legs with feathering. Their thick coats are exaggerated around the neck line, giving them an almost lion-like mane. Although plush their coats don’t have undercoats, which makes the texture silken.
Ragdolls are one of the largest cat breeds around. A full-grown adult measures 18 to 24 inches in height. Males are typically on the larger end of the spectrum. Males can weigh 12 to 20 pounds or more, while females generally weigh between 8 and 15 pounds.
Himalayans are medium-sized cats. Females typically stand 9 to 13 inches, with males slightly taller, standing 10 to 14 inches in height. They can typically weigh between 7 to 15 pounds depending on their family line rather than their gender.
A Himalayan Ragdoll will usually be around 10 to 15 inches tall, weighing between 8 and 13 pounds.
Coat Colors and Grooming
You can find both the Himalayan and Ragdoll in similar colors, which include seal, red, blue, lilac, chocolate or cream.
Ragdoll and Himalayan parents can also pass down distinct coat patterns. From the Ragdoll side, kittens can inherit mitted, bi-color, and colorpoint patterns. And, from the Himalayan side, kittens can express tortoiseshell, lynx, and tabby coloring.
The Himalayan and Ragdoll have very different coat types. Himmies shed, and their long, luxurious coat require daily brushing. The Ragdoll, on the other hand, has no undercoat. So, it sheds very little and only requires brushing once or twice a week.
Because your cat’s coat type can vary, you may need to play it bear ear until you’re familiar with the specific shedding patterns your cat has.
Himalayan Ragdoll Cat Temperament
Himalayan Ragdoll mixes are friendly and loving cats, devoted to their owners. These traits come from both of their parent breeds. Although each cat has its own distinctive personality, your Himalayan Ragdoll is likely to be warm and affectionate. They’ll likely love to be around people, children and other animals. They can also be quite chatty!
Himmies are very people-oriented cats. They love attention but are not over-demanding. Although they are not overly vocal, they can be pretty talkative due to their Siamese ancestry. These cats are playful, eager to please, and able to get on with children and other pets.
The Ragdoll has a calm and easy-going nature. They’re a true gentle giant. They can be very chatty, having endless conversations with their owners! Raggies tend to go relaxed and floppy when picked up. Many owners describe them as “dog-like,” probably because they always want to be with their people and follow them around and can be taught to do tricks.
Health and Care
A Himalayan Ragdoll mix can inherit any hereditary health problems that the parent breeds can suffer from.
Because Himalayans have flat faces, they often suffer from breathing problems. They are also prone to genetic heart and kidney conditions. Ragdolls are relatively healthy cats but have a genetic predisposition to heart conditions.
Himalayan Ragdoll Kittens
Choosing a reputable breeder is a great way to encourage the best possible health. Good breeders will avoid breeding unhealthy cats, and will raise their kittens to be as healthy and happy as possible. Ideally go for a breeder that selects for cats with a more pronounced muzzle and more oval eye shapes, as these are associated with better health outcomes.
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