Traditional Ragdolls - Mink Ragdolls
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Mink ragdolls are similar to traditional ragdolls, in that they share some of the same bloodlines, body type and conformation. Before I get into what Mink ragdolls are, and why they are different from traditional ragdolls, I need to clarify what a traditional ragdoll is. Traditional ragdolls are a long haired breed of cat known for their coat that repels matting and is rabbit like in feel. They are also "pointed" cats. This means they have their main colors on their points, or on their ears, tails, legs and nose. The body color is light cream, and they may have white markings on their face, chin and legs. Colors that traditional ragdolls come in are blue, seal, flame, cream, chocolate and lilac. They can also be a combination of colors, such as a blue and cream tortie.
Shown above: our blue mink lynx male
The breed was created in California by a breeder named Ann Baker and her cat Josephine in the 1960's. Josephine was believed to be a Turkish Angoria type. Other cats used to create the ragdoll are believed to be Burmese, Birman and Persian. While Ms. Baker was the first person to trademark the name "Ragdoll" and produced the first and subsequent litters of Ragdolls we now have today, their are also several breeders who took it upon themselves to promote and produce the traditional ragdolls we know today. In fact it was those breeders, who can be credited with getting the ragdoll cat accepted into the main cat registration associations and also getting them into championship status. Denny and Laura Dayton were the main promoters of the ragdoll breed during this time. They made it a point to keep accurate records, refine the breed, and promote the ragdoll cat we know and love today.
Shown above: a traditional blue ragdoll
Mink ragdolls are a side product of the ragdoll breeding program, and carry alot of the Burmese influence. They are born with color, while traditional ragdolls are born white. They also are born with aqua colored eyes (blue/green mix) instead of just blue. Their 'mink' coloring is similar to that of a mink, and feels just as soft. Aside to the color difference (eyes and body) they are the same as traditional ragdolls in manners, conformation and "pointed" markings. Minks were produced using some of the same "core" bloodlines as traditional ragdolls. At the time, they were recognized by Ms. Baker and her registry IRCA. Today, The International Cat Association recognises the mink ragdoll and provides registration for their bloodlines. A very few ragdoll breeders are committed to continuing these lesser known bloodlines, and therefore finding mink ragdolls can be more difficult. To get mink ragdolls you breed one mink ragdoll (or mink gene carrier) to a traditional ragdoll cat. They will produce mink and traditional colored ragdoll kittens. When you breed two minks together you get Sepia, which is a much darker, almost black color. They also can have gold, green, aqua or blue eyes.
Shown above: a previous litter from our breeding program. One traditional blue ragdoll kitten on left and two mink ragdolls on the right.
We chose to breed and raise traditional ragdoll colors and mink ragdoll colors. Sepia colors are not produced by our cattery as we feel it can easily be confused with a ragamuffin, which is its own seperate breed.
