The Ragdoll and the Persian cat are two very popular cat breeds. They generally live in apartments and are naturally calm. They are also very affectionate cat breeds. Because the Persian cat and the Ragdoll have very similar personalities and physical appearances, people often get these cats confused. However, despite these similarities, these cats have their own particularities. Read on to find out how to easily distinguish a Persian cat from a Ragdoll.
The Persian cat
The Persian cat is particularly calm and affectionate. It is native to Turkey and Iran.
The origins of the Persian cat
The Persian cat is a descendant of the Turkish Angora. This is where the breed’s long hair comes from. It is native to Turkey and Iran, owing its name to this region: Persia. In the 17th century, it was brought to Europe and it became a fashionable cat to have amongst the bourgeoisie and the breed gradually transformed by contact with other local cats. At that time, the Persian was less distinctive than the current standards. The standards were set in 1889, after various crossings.
The Persian cat that we know today came to be by mating the first Persian cats with English domestic cats. There were also crossings between British longhair and British shorthair breeds. This work led to a breed with a particularly round morphology and coats of different colors. Originally, it was either white or blue. The research continued until the 1930s.
American breeders succeeded in creating a new variety of Persian. These cats have a flat face with a flat nose and bulging eyes. However, the success of this breed was short-lived as it generated significant health problems in cats.
The Persian cat’s physical characteristics
This average-sized feline has a very round body, weighing between 2.6 and 7 kg (≈ 5.7 and 15.4 lbs). This breed is easily recognizable by its head. It has a round and wide skull, with prominent cheekbones. Its ears also small and have a rounded shape with hair coming out of it. The muzzle of this cat is very short and round. Its nose is flat and its chin advanced forward.
The eyes, which are large and round, can be a variety of colors, but are always matched with the color of the coat. This cat breed has long hair (10 cm on average) with a very full undercoat. The coat can be of any color, plain, bi-colored, or tricolored.
The personality of the Persian cat
This cat breed is very calm and not very active. For this reason, it is perfectly suited to people who live peaceful lives in an apartment. It is a very affectionate companion who appreciates the company of humans. It’s important to know that this breed does handle solitude very well and needs permanent presence at its side. In addition, the Persian cat loves to hunt and climb trees whenever the opportunity arises.
The Ragdoll
This cat breed is large and is known for its sweet and sociable personality.
The origins of the Ragdoll
The origins of the Ragdoll are surrounded by legends. The first kittens were born from a natural cross between a female Birman cat (Josephine) and a cat of unknown origin in Ann Baker’s cattery in California in 1963. Based on the characteristics of the kittens, the father could have been a Persian cat or a Burmese cat. However, at the time, these breeds were not very common in the United States. This means that the cross could have been between an Birman cat and a semi-longhair alley cat.
Whatever the origin of the father, the crosses between Josephine and her own descendants stabilized the standards of the breed, which was registered in 1965. The name Ragdoll refers to its ability let itself go completely when it is in the arms of its owner. Ann Baker’s marketing strategies allowed the breed to become very popular with Americans and then with the English, and with the French in the 2000s.
The physical characteristics of the Ragdoll
This cat breed can reach up to 9.5 kg (≈ 20.94 lbs) in males and 6 kg (≈ 13.2 lbs) in females. Because of this, the Ragdoll is considered to be a large cat. However, it grows very slow. A kitten doesnt’t reach adult size until they are around 2 to 3 years old. Regarding the Ragdoll’s body, it is long and rectangular. This cat breed has triangular ears and blue eyes that are shaped like an oval.
The Ragdoll’s hair is semi-long and very soft. The kitten is born entirely white, it’s only after a few months that their coat starts to develop colors. It can become colorpoint (with a regular pointed pattern), mitted (like colorpoint, but with white paws), bicolor (with an inverted V mask on the head only) or van (coloring of the top of the head, the paws and the tail). The colored areas can be chocolate, lilac, fawn or tortoiseshell.
The personality of the Ragdoll
It is a naturally calm cat with great gentleness. Extremely friendly, this cat likes to show affection towards its owner. Reserved, quiet and patient, the Ragdoll can live perfectly in an apartment. It is an excellent companion for owners who like to travel with their pet. It’s important to note that just like the Persian cat, the Ragdoll does not like to be alone. Its owner should not leave it alone for too long.
What are the differences between the Persian cat and the Ragdoll ?
Both breeds adapt very well to life in an apartment. However, the Ragdoll should exclusively live indoors. This breed can be easily frightened by an outside environment. For example, it may run away at the slightest suspicious noise. When it comes to the Persian, it likes to enjoy the outdoor. For more security and comfort, an owner with a garden could therefore adopt a Persian rather than a Ragdoll.
Apart from this small point, the two breeds have very similar personalities and are both very loyal companions. As these cats are not very athletic, they can quickly gain weight. It is thus advisable to watch their diet closely. Moreover, as these cats have long or semi-long hair, their fur requires daily brushing sessions.
Persian cats and Ragdolls differ when it comes to their physical characteristics and the rigor of the standards. The Ragdoll is larger than the Persian cat. Moreover, the beauty of the Persian lies in its facial features and in its long silky fur while the Ragdoll is recognized by its majestic build and beautiful blue eyes.