In the early 1960’s Ann Baker, of Riverside, California, developed a number of breeds of cats, collectively known as "Cherubims". The distinguishing characteristics of these breeds were their exceptionally docile, sweet temperaments, large size, and easy care coats.
The exact method by which she developed these breeds is clouded in controversy, misinformation and even conjecture. The truth is that no one knows exactly how or why these cats are the way they are. The fact that her cats possessed the qualities claimed are undisputed, and that they still maintain these qualities today is remarkable, a fact that makes the exact inception inconsequential. What is known is that the first cats used in her breeding programs were those that roamed free in her Riverside neighborhood. They came in all colors. And, there were no pedigreed cats used to develop the original gene pool.
From the beginning, RagaMuffin breeders have faced the challenge of gaining acceptance for their cats as a distinct breed, despite their common origins with Ragdolls. The patterns that form so important a part of the Ragdoll standard receive little emphasis from RagaMuffin breeders. They accept every colour and pattern, with or without white.
In the RagaMuffin Breed there are two Colourpointed genes, the one that you would find in the Siamese and the one you would find in the Burmese. Neither of these genes are dominant over the other. When put together this achieves a blended effect, as you would find in the Tonkinese. The Burmese Colourpointed Pattern is referred to in the USA as Sepia with the Tonkinese Pattern referred to as Mink.
Due to their early limited genetic base, the United Kingdom RagaMuffin Cat Society recommend that breeders should always check the compatibility of prospective parent RagaMuffins, not only by health and type but that pedigrees avoid repetition of common ancestors.
The Health and Temperament of the RagaMuffin are the most important attributes of the breed therefore only cats with these qualitities should be chosen for breeding so that this is passed on to their progeny.
It is the policy of the United Kingdom RagaMuffin Cat Society that the RagaMuffin of the future remains the same as the original cats which were bred and imported from the USA.
SUMMARY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM RAGAMUFFIN CAT SOCIETY BREEDING POLICY IS AS FOLLOWS :
- Only offspring resulting from a RagaMuffin to RagaMuffin mating are eligible for registration as RagaMuffin.
- Breeders should try to breed RagaMuffins which adhere closely to the original type as described in the Standard of Points.
- UKRMCS recommends that RagaMuffin parents should have compatible pedigrees that avoids over repetition of common ancestors.
- The Colourpointed RagaMuffin *Variant is essential to the breed. It is the only way, when combined with the Burmese pattern, to produce Mink. It is not eligible to be shown but is invaluable in its use in a breeding programme.
- All RagaMuffins and Colourpointed RagaMuffin Variants registered on the GCCF Active Register must be tested negative for HCM and PKD and microchipped for unique identification in accordance with the GCCF RagaMuffin Registration Policy. Any Outcross used in the UK must also be tested negative. Official confirmation of the results must accompany all registration applications. Before the registration of any white RagaMuffin cat on the Active Register, a BAER certificate of freedom from deafness for the white parent(s) must be supplied to the GCCF.
Note: * The use of the word ‘Variant’ when referring to the Colourpointed RagaMuffin is used to describe the variation of pattern and not to an outcross to another breed.
