In the early 60's a woman in Riverside, California,
by the name of Ann Baker created the RAGDOLL by breeding what was believed to be a white female persian- type cat to a sealpoint
Birman. One of the male offspring was then bred to a female Burmese. This was the foundation for the RAGDOLL.
Allthough their have been further findings from Lorna Wallace, Robin Pickering
and David Pollard in their book,'The Guide To Ragdolls'
published by Ragdoll World UK.
At the time Ann had been borrowing one of Josephine's older sons to sire progeny
in her black persian program. This son had the appearance of a Black/Brown Persian and she named him Blackie, and it was one
of her visits to borrow him that she saw Blackies brother. He appeared most immpressive and in Ann's words had the appearance
of of a Sacred Cat of Burma,{The Birman Breed}. Having already established the owners trust, she was also permitted to borrow
this cat to breed with one of her own females. she was most taken with this son of Josephine and named him Raggedy Ann
Daddy Warbucks. What Ann clearly states is that Blackie and Daddy Warbucks are both sons of Josephine, but differant sirers.
In the IRCA booklet it would appear to indicate that Blackies father was a black cat from the East, that appeared more persian
than Burmese. during detailed Questioning, Ann confirmed that no one had ever seen the father of Daddy Warbucks, and he was
the only kitten in that particular litter of Joesphine's. This being so , makes it difficult to take the origins of the breed
further.
The Ragdoll was first recognized as a pure breed in 1965 by NCFA{now defunct}.
The following that achievement Ann did nothing further the RAGDOLL in the fancy. Fortunately, a new breeder a husband
and wife team bought a pair from ann and realized the breed had to be shown and accepted by varios associations in the fancy.
RAGDOLLS are accepted today in all associations. However , some associtions do not allow Ragdolls in cetain patterns
to compete.
