Showing Non Traditional Ragdolls

By Elvia Leclair

        “Non Traditional” Ragdolls are defined as solid, minks, and sepias… These purebred registered Ragdolls are permitted to show in The International Cat Association (TICA) under “New Traits” even though they are of the foundation stock and their phenotype, their coloration, is not at all something new. “New Traits” are defined as...These purebred felines are also permitted to show as Household Pets ( HHP). “Household Pets”are delineated in TICA show rules as any spayed or neutered feline that is of any color, any pattern, any size, any breed or breeds, that exhibits a docile temperament; basically, anything is permitted. If a Ragdoll is shown under HHP, no credit is given to them as being a purebred Ragdoll that has been bred for very specific traits that are outlined in the TICA Ragdoll Breed Standard. In order to get the “non-traditionals” accepted for show in championship rings to compete for titles, they must follow a stringent process. TICA rules dictate that ... If you would like to show support for the non traditional Ragdolls, it is best to show them under New Traits in order to advocate for the non-blue eyed variant to be accepted in the championship class.

        This can be confusing for most, as not many are familiar with the history or the genetics of the Ragdoll breed. The question that may come to the layperson’s mind might be, “Have the non traditional Ragdolls been around as long as the traditional Ragdolls?” The answer is a resounding yes! When Ragdolls were registered by their original creator, Ann Baker, in her original registry, “The International Ragdoll Cat Association” ( IRCA) to other registries, such as TICA, CFA, etc., only the Ragdoll variant with blue eyes were exhibited for acceptance in those organizations show halls. These were deemed “Traditional” Ragdolls by Denny and Laura Dayton who purchased, bred, exhibited, and favored soley the blue eyed variant of the Ragdoll. The Daytons commercialized and made this variant popular. 

      As pedigree registrations were switched from one registry to another, information was left out, lost, or recorded incorrectly. This has been one major cause of the confusion as to whether or not “non-traditional” Ragdolls are “true” Ragdolls. Much research has been done by many Ragdoll Breeders that has shown that “non-traditional” Ragdolls have been in existence since Ann Baker’s inception, creation, of the Ragdoll breed. Documentation such as IRCA registrations, Ann Baker’s own ledger books on her breedings, letters, etc., all contribute toward the undeniable evidence that the “nontraditional” ragdolls were part of the foundation and essential to the Ragdoll breed. Without the “non-traditionals,” the Ragdoll breed would not exist, including the “traditional” blue eyed Ragdolls. The “traditional” blue eyed Ragdolls absolutely would not exist without the other variants, as they stem from recessive traits. Recessive traits are needed from both parents in order to create the blue eyed variant. This has become a problem in limiting the gene pool in the “traditional” blue eyed variant, but that is a story for another day.

       This is not the first time that effort has been required to get a certain color of Ragdoll accepted for show. The same protocol was followed in order to get Ann Baker’s original lines of reds, creams, and lynx accepted. Similarly, these same procedures had to be followed for the acceptance of Cinnamon and Fawn Ragdolls, which were not an original color of Ragdoll and not in Ann Baker’s breeding program. These new Ragdoll colors, cinnamon and fawn, have been derived from many breeds of cats. These cinnamon and fawn Ragdolls have been outcrossed to Abyssinians, Selkirk Rex, and even domestic longhairs to create this color, but they are accepted for show as long as they have blue eyes. Why is it that a total outcross is permitted to an entirely different breed is able to be shown, the cinnamon or fawn pointed Ragdoll, but not a “nontraditional” pure Ragdoll? Does this make any sense? 

       Most Ragdolls today have been outcrossed with one breed of cat or another. There are “non-traditional” lines that have not been outcrossed with other breeds and that are not related to the “traditional” lines of Ragdolls that have Persian, Birman, Balinese, etc., in their lines. could be bred into their programs to keep the lines Original. Only TICA allows “non-traditional” Ragdolls to be registered. All other registries do not allow any Ragdolls to be registered if they have any “non-traditional” Ragdolls in their pedigrees for six generations. This is also the same for lines of Ragdolls outcrossed to other breeds of cats. If we had more acceptance for every line of Ragdoll, it would be much healthier for the breed as a whole. If this segregation continues, then it will be the downfall of our wonderful Ragdoll breed. You can only inbreed and outcross so much before the breed changes as a whole, or the health of our beloved Ragdolls is so far gone that there will be nothing we can do to recognize, or save, them. Outcrossing is effective for total inbreeding, but it brings all kinds of unexpected health issues from incorporating other breeds of cats.

Most Traditional Ragdolls have been outcrossed with Persian, Birman, and Balinese. If you look up the health and genetic issues of these other breeds, you will find that this is not helping the Ragdoll breed and can adversely affect the health of these lines. There is also no acceptable outcrosses for the Ragdoll breed as there are for many other breeds. But here again even though there are not any acceptable outcrosses, if said kittens are “traditional” they can be shown for championship status once three generations have passed in TICA. 

        The “non-traditional” Ragdolls, until accepted, even without outcrosses, even if fully traceable to Ann Baker’s original lines, even if the pedigree is exactly the same as the “traditional” lines being shown for championship status, it will never be allowed to be shown unless they are accepted by the Ragdoll Breed Committee to be shown as champions similar to their brethren. There is enough room in the world to accept and love all lines of Ragdolls. How do you just accept pieces of something without accepting all? The breed foundation of “nontraditional” Ragdolls should be accepted for championship eligibility considering their role in the inception of the blue eyed variant. There is no “Chicken or the egg?” question here. The logic is nonsensical. The “non-traditionals” were here first and spawned the blue eyed variant. The reverse should be true… the blue eyed variant should be fighting for championship acceptance--not the other way around.