The Ragamuffin is a friendly cat. 
The Ragamuffin is a friendly cat. 
These cats have thick, soft fur. It feels silky to touch. They have broad chests and heavy bones.
Kittens are born white. They grow into new colors later. They can have spots or stripes. They can be many colors like black or blue.
Their eyes can be any solid color. Some cats even have two different eye colors. They have large, round eyes.
These cats are sweet and love people. They make great pets for a home.
The Ragamuffin is a friendly breed of domestic cat. 
These cats have thick and silky fur. The fur is longer around the neck. This makes a ruff, which is a ring of hair. Ragamuffins have heavy bones and broad chests. They also have a large body.
Ragamuffin kittens are born white. They grow into new colors as they get older. They can have many patterns like stripes or spots. They can be solid colors too. Some colors include black, blue, red, or chocolate. Their eyes can be any solid color. Some cats have heterochromia. This means they have two different eye colors.
This breed started in California in the 1960s. They came from Ragdoll cats. In 1994, breeders formed a new group. They wanted more freedom to breed. They chose the name Ragamuffin. This name was suggested by Curt Gehm.
Ragamuffins are different from Ragdolls. Ragdolls must have certain colors. Ragamuffins can have any color or pattern. Ragamuffins also have large, round eyes. Ragdoll eyes are shaped like almonds. 
Many groups now accept this breed. The CFA accepted them into the Championship class in 2011.
The Ragamuffin is a special kind of domestic cat. 

There are many ways these cats look. Their bodies are shaped like a rectangle. They have broad chests and broad shoulders. Their necks are usually short. The fur is longer around the neck and face. This creates a ruff, which is a ring of hair. 
This breed has an interesting history. It started in California during the 1960s. A woman named Ann Baker created them from Ragdoll cats. Ragdolls were famous for being limp and relaxed when held. In 1975, some breeders left to find more freedom. They wanted to breed cats with many different colors. In 1994, this group became the Ragamuffin breed. 
Many groups now recognize these cats. The United Feline Organization was the first to accept them. The ACFA accepted them in that same year. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) is another big group. They put Ragamuffins in a special class in February 2003. Later, they moved them to the Championship class in February 2011. 
You can tell a Ragamuffin apart from a Ragdoll. Ragdolls must have specific colors called point coloration. Ragamuffins can have any color or pattern they want. Ragdoll eyes are shaped like thin almonds. Ragamuffin eyes are rounder and look very sweet. 
The Ragamuffin is a specific breed of domestic cat known for its friendly personality. 
To understand the Ragamuffin, one must look at its specific physical traits. The head is a broad, modified wedge shape. It features a moderately rounded forehead and a muzzle that is short or medium-short. There is an obvious dip in the nose area. The muzzle itself is wide with puffy whisker pads. The hindquarters are moderately heavy-muscled and as broad as the shoulders. A fatty pad in the lower abdomen is an expected trait. The fur is longer around the neck and face, creating a ruff. 
Ragamuffin cats display a massive variety of colors and patterns. Kittens are usually born white and develop their true colors as they mature. Every color and pattern is allowed, with or without white markings. Coats can be solid, striped, spotted, or patched. Common colors include black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, and seal brown. Their eyes can be any solid color. Some cats even exhibit heterochromia, which means they have different colored eyes. 
The history of this breed is tied to the Ragdoll cat. In the 1960s, Ann Baker developed Ragdolls in California. Ragdolls were named for their tendency to be limp and comfortable when handled. In 1975, a group of breeders left the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA). Baker had trademarked the names "Ragdoll" and "Cherubim" and set strict rules. The departing breeders wanted more freedom in their breeding choices. They wanted to keep positive Ragdoll traits while allowing more color variety.
In 1994, this group officially established the Ragamuffin as a separate breed. They could not use the name Ragdoll or Cherubim due to the trademark. One of the founders, Curt Gehm, suggested the name Ragamuffin. This was chosen as an alternative to the proposed name, Liebling. To improve genetic health, they allowed limited outcrosses. These were breeding matches with other cats, such as Domestic Longhairs or Persians. To be an "Authentic Ragamuffin," a cat must have at least one Ragamuffin parent. 
Several organizations have recognized the breed over the years. The United Feline Organization (UFO) was the first to grant full show champion status. The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) accepted them that same year. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) is another major group. The CFA placed them in the Miscellaneous class in February 2003. They later moved them to the Championship class in February 2011. Currently, acceptable outcrosses include the Siberian, the Long Haired Selkirk Rex, and the British Longhair.
It is easy to tell a Ragamuffin apart from a Ragdoll. Ragdolls require a specific type of color called point coloration. Ragamuffins are not restricted and can have any pattern. Their eyes are also different in shape. Ragamuffins have large, rounded, walnut-shaped eyes with a pinch at the corner. Ragdolls have thinner, slightly angled, almond-shaped eyes. The body contours also differ significantly. Ragamuffins have rounded contours between the ears and a nose scoop. 
Finally, the two breeds differ in their overall body lines and coat textures. Ragamuffins are described as having a flatter topline on their backs. In contrast, Ragdolls have a more angular topline with raised hindquarters. The texture of the Ragamuffin coat is specifically described as plush. Ragdolls are permitted to have coats that are either silky or plush. These distinctions help breeders and judges maintain the unique identity of the Ragamuffin breed. 
🖼️ Images & Media (1)
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.