The Ragdoll cat is the only breed with distinct patterns and comes in three classic patterns. Each pattern has unique color features on the face (the mask), legs, ears, and tail, which are also called the points. These points contrast beautifully with their lighter body color. Here are the three main patterns of the Siamese point Ragdoll:
The colorpoint pattern in a Ragdoll is characterized by darker colors on the "points" – these are the ears, face, legs, and tail. The rest of the body is lighter in color, creating a distinct contrast between the points and the body. This pattern is similar to that of a Siamese and highlights the typical, subtle color gradient of the Ragdoll.
Color of the Points
Face (mask): The face of a colorpoint Ragdoll features a dark mask that extends fully across the snout and eyes. This mask should be clearly defined and harmonize with the rest of the points, without extending too far onto the chest or neck.
Ears: The ears have the same dark color as the rest of the points and should have an even color without lighter spots or patterns. The color is deep and contrasts nicely with the lighter body. There should be no white on the ears.
Front and hind legs: The legs are colored in the same dark shade as the mask and ears. The intensity of the color may vary but should match well with the other points.
Tail: The tail is fully dark-colored, matching the other points. The color is even, with no lighter rings or markings, and the tail has a thick, full coat that contributes to the typical Ragdoll appearance. There should be no white on the tail.
Body Color
The body of a colorpoint Ragdoll is lighter in color than the points and typically has a soft, even cream or ivory shade, depending on the base color (such as seal, blue, chocolate, etc.). The lighter body color creates a beautiful contrast with the points, highlighting the classic colorpoint effect. The body color can vary slightly but should always be significantly lighter than the points.
Nose Leather Color
The nose leather of a colorpoint Ragdoll should match the dark color of the points. For example:
For a seal colorpoint, the nose leather is dark brown to almost black.
For a blue colorpoint, the nose leather is blue-gray.
For a chocolate colorpoint, the nose leather has a warm chocolate brown hue.
For a lilac colorpoint, the nose leather is light pink-gray.
Color of the Paw Pads
The paw pads of a colorpoint Ragdoll should match the same shade as the nose leather and the other points, contributing to the uniform look of the colorpoint pattern.
Seal colorpoint: dark brown to almost black paw pads.
Blue colorpoint: blue-gray paw pads.
Chocolate colorpoint: warm, dark chocolate brown paw pads.
Lilac colorpoint: light pink-gray paw pads.
The mitted pattern is a variation within the Ragdoll breed where the cat has a combination of colored points and white markings. This pattern is unique because it features white "mittens" on the front paws and white "boots" on the hind legs, along with a white belly stripe and a white chin. The mitted Ragdoll retains the dark points on the face, ears, tail, and parts of the legs, similar to a colorpoint Ragdoll, but has a white chin, which contributes to a distinctive and striking appearance.
Color of the Points:
The mask is dark, similar to a colorpoint, but must have a completely white chin. The chin should not have any colored spots. A white blaze (a vertical white stripe on the forehead and across the nose) is allowed, but not required. The blaze should be neatly positioned in the center of the face and be even, contributing to a symmetrical appearance.
The ears are dark-colored, like the other points, and must be of a solid color. There should be no white spots on the ears.
Color of the Legs
The front legs must have white "mittens" that are evenly marked and do not extend above the wrist joint. All toes should be white. The mittens must be neat and well-defined for a symmetrical appearance. No upward-facing triangles should emerge from the mittens at the back of the legs. No dark spots are allowed within the white mittens.
The hind legs should have white "boots" that extend to at least the hock joint and at most halfway up the thigh. The boots must be of equal height on both sides and evenly distributed. A small spot is allowed.
Color of the Tail
The tail has the same dark color as the other points and should be evenly colored without white spots.
Body Color
The body of a mitted Ragdoll is lighter in color than the points, depending on the base color (such as seal, blue, chocolate, etc.). The belly should have a continuous white stripe running from the chin to the base of the tail, which is characteristic of the mitted pattern. The white stripe should be uninterrupted, with no dark spots present.
Nose Leather Color
The nose leather of a mitted Ragdoll has the same dark color as the points, similar to a colorpoint Ragdoll, or it can be pink.
Seal mitted: dark brown to nearly black.
Blue mitted: blue-gray.
Chocolate mitted: warm chocolate brown.
Lilac mitted: light pink-gray.
Color of the Paw Pads
The paw pads should be pink.
The Bicolor Pattern in a Ragdoll
The bicolor pattern in a Ragdoll is a striking and beloved look, where the cat features a combination of colored points and white markings on the face, legs, belly, and chest. The face of a bicolor Ragdoll displays an inverted "V"-shaped white patch, while the ears, tail, and parts of the legs retain the colored points. This high-contrast pattern gives the cat a charming, almost "masked" appearance.
Color of the Points
The mask should have a distinct inverted "V"-shaped white marking, starting from the forehead and extending over the nose and mouth. The "V" should be well-defined and symmetrical, without extending beyond the eyes. There should be no colored spots within the white “V.”
The chin should be white.
The rest of the mask outside the "V" should match the color of the points (e.g., seal, blue, chocolate, etc.).
The ears are fully colored to match the points, with no white spots allowed on the ears.
All four legs should be white, with the white extending up to the groin on the inner side of the hind legs. The white legs are characteristic of the bicolor pattern and should be symmetrical. A small colored spot on the white hind legs is allowed.
The tail should match the dark color of the other points and must be fully colored without white spots.
Body Color
The body should have a soft, even color. The belly and chest must be completely white.
Color of the Nose Leather
The nose leather of a bicolor Ragdoll should be pink.
Color of the Paw Pads
The paw pads should be pink.
Corry Husada-Ghesquiere
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