Black Ragdoll Cat & Kittens – Description + Photos
You might have landed on this page wondering if a black Ragdoll cat exists. Unfortunately, according to the Ragdoll cat show world, black Ragdoll cats are not recognized, and they do not even consider them true Ragdolls. But even though they are not accepted in competitions, many still argue that Ragdolls can, in fact, be black.
The trend of solid Ragdolls is gaining traction worldwide. As a result, more and more breeders have started including them, and more and more are trying to get them accepted into different cat organizations.
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Black Ragdoll Cat
Supportive breeders and advocates maintain that black Ragdoll cats share many of the same qualities as other Ragdoll cats – the silky coat, the large size, the docile personality, and so on. The problem is that most cat associations worldwide would argue that it can’t be black for a Ragdoll to be purebred.
According to most standards, including the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), Ragdoll cats must have blue eyes, be either Bi-Color, Van, Colorpoint, or Mitted in pattern, and feature one of six colors on the traditional Ragdoll points (including mask, paws, and ears) – seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red or cream. Tortie and lynx variants are accepted too.
Black Ragdolls can have blue eyes, but they will often be a different color, either gold or green. Black Ragdoll cats can be mitted, but they’re usually a solid pattern, which isn’t officially recognized either.
This is why, according to many cat associations (and show organizations), there’s no such thing as a black Ragdoll – to them, it has to be a mixed breed.
Why Are Black Ragdolls Controversial?
Part of the reason black Ragdoll cats are so controversial because they are essentially shunned from competitions, even if you have documentation to show that they’re purebred. They just need to be recognized as legitimate Ragdolls.
Having said that, black Ragdoll cats are fantastic pets, so if you aren’t worried about shows, then you won’t really have an issue. Despite the lack of the traditional Ragdoll breed color patterns, a black Ragdoll is essentially the same as any other Ragdoll.
Another reason black Ragdolls are controversial is that many people point to the fact that an all-black cat was pivotal in the creation of the breed. The first Ragdoll cats were bred by Ann Baker in California in the 1960s, with a white domestic longhaired cat Josephine that produced docile, affectionate kittens.
One of these was Blackie, an all-black male that resembled a Burmese, who then sired Buckwheat, a dark brown/black female. All Ragdolls are descendants of Buckwheat and Daddy Warbucks, another of Josephine’s offspring.
The Ragdoll Historical Society has more information on its website about the breed’s origins.
Black Ragdoll Cats as Breeders
Black Ragdoll cats aren’t just excellent pet-quality cats. They’re also sold as breeders. That might sound odd since they’re not recognized by so many organizations worldwide. However, they still possess the genes for traditional pointed patterns. According to advocates, a solid black Ragdoll can produce kittens considered legitimate Ragdolls in color and pattern.
To see how controversial this topic is, check out the Facebook post. It is obvious where this went when I requested photos of Black Ragdoll cats to include in this post. (And thank you to those that sent them in for me to post =) ).
Reader Submitted Photos of Black Ragdolls
Photo Credit: Jane Elliott
Black Ragdoll Cat Personality
Black Ragdoll cats can have the same personality as other Ragdolls – although it’s essential to be clear here. While a breed will have a typical personality, every cat is an individual. So, they might not all act in the same way. These are common characteristics of Ragdolls but are not guaranteed in every kitty.
Those characteristics include a close affinity for humans, often following them from room to room. They’ll also tend to go limp (like a ragdoll – hence the name) when picked up because they are completely relaxed.
They’re generally quite a chill breed anyway. Still, they can be a little bit playful too, and can even act similarly to some puppies. For example, only a few cat breeds would play fetch, but you might have more chances with a Ragdoll.
Black Ragdoll Cat Videos
How to find a black Ragdoll kitten
If you like the idea of a black Ragdoll cat as your family pet, you can look for authorized catteries and breeders in your area. However, you must buy a cat from a trusted breeder if you want a purebred Ragdoll, so take the time to get to know the breeder before you buy. And always watch out for Ragdoll breeder scams.
FAQs
How Much Should You Pay for a Ragdoll Kitten?
Ragdoll kitten prices vary depending on whether you’re buying a pet-quality cat, a breeder, or a show cat. Pet-quality kittens usually cost between $1200 and $2800, but kittens that are both pet- and show-quality could cost as much as $5000.
Remember that you won’t get a black Ragdoll cat that’s classed as show-quality since most shows won’t accept them, but for a breeder-quality black kitten, you could pay up to $3000.
Are 2 Ragdolls Better Than 1?
It depends on the individual cat. Most Ragdolls tend to be a more social breed than some other cats and will do well with another Ragdoll or even a different pet altogether. Signs of loneliness in Ragdolls include aggression, anxiety, or marking/destruction in the home.
What Is The Most Common Color of Ragdoll Cats?
Of purebred Ragdoll cats’ traditional and accepted colors, the most common are seal, blue, and chocolate. Seal Ragdolls, in particular, are pretty commonplace.
Can Ragdolls Be All-Black?
Ragdoll cats can be a solid black color across their fur. However, some cat associations and shows won’t recognize them as purebred Ragdolls. They will instead insist they are a mixed breed.
(Read the comments section of this post to learn more about the varying opinions)
What Is the Rarest Ragdoll Color?
Of the traditional six Ragdoll colors, the rarest is cream. Flame/red and lilac are also less common than some other colors. In addition, different rare variants aren’t always acknowledged – black is one of those, while cinnamon is another. Finally, sepia and minks are another non-traditional color/pattern combinations yet to be recognized.
How Big Do Black Ragdoll Cats Get?
Black Ragdoll cats share the same physical traits as other Ragdolls. They typically stand between 9 and 11 inches tall and around 17 to 21 inches in length. In addition, they’ll weigh an average of 10-20 pounds, with male black Ragdolls weighing more than females usually.
Are Black Ragdolls Rare?
Black Ragdolls are still a rare breed variant (mainly because they aren’t an accepted variety yet). Still, they’re becoming more popular as pressure mounts on cat organizations worldwide to accept them as part of the breed. Because they’re used in breeding, they aren’t super-rare. If you really want a black Ragdoll for a pet, you should be able to find one with a bit of digging when you check with reputable breeders.
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
I love my fiancé’s ragdolls and I’ve been looking for a solid black one of my own. Does anyone know black ragdoll breeders?
Wow! Seems like people are even being ‘racist’ when it comes to cats. It’s either a Ragdoll or it isn’t. Why should there be a controversy just because the cat is black?
Where can I purchase a black ragdoll?
I’m retiring and I would love to add a precious kitten to my heart and home
I have just had a litter of solids, including black
Are any of the solid color ragdolls still available? I’d love a solid black one!
I just lost my solid black ragdoll 8 year old cat to congestive heart failure and am looking for another solid rag doll cat . Do you know of lanyone who might have one . Ophelia was the greatest cat i have ever had , so gentle and so beautiful solid black
Hi Rita,
I am in the same boat as you. My Tootsie cat was the best cat I ever had. Have you had any luck finding any black Ragdolls in your search?
solids without the point and blue eyes are still ragdolls, if both of their parents are ragdolls.. ragamuffins are a different breed with differences in body shape and headshape although similar and sharing ancestory with ragdolls.
I think they’re all gorgeous. and I think solids should be accepted for show. 🙂
glad you addressed this! that first cat looks exactly like Pepe Le PU that used to come stay at my house. He belonged to someone else but loved making his little trip up the alley to come visit. i think the black and white i have now is a ragdoll. he’s so floppy, he is like a dog, more than like a cat, very sweet, if he had blue eyes everyone would say ragdoll. even in the sun you can see that his black is really a seal color. he has the mask, the pants. lol. anyway i don’t care, i love him and all of my cats because of who they are, not what they are. i know i’ve never met a cat like my big black and white boy and all i have heard and read about ragdolls describes him.
“anyway i don’t care, i love him and all of my cats because of who they are, not what they are. ” – hallelujah!
To add to the the question of if the cat is a Ragdoll, there is a breeder is selling Ragdolls, that does not have blue eyes. Although cute cats, I would not buy one because of the eye color alone and the fact that the colors are not always traditional.
Non traditional rags have aqua eyes
As a breeder of the traditional pointed and blue-eyed Ragdolls, I generally think of the ‘solid’ cats that originated with Ragdolls as being Ragamuffins. Ragamuffins are accepted in the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) and the Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF). Those three registries only accept Radolls as pointed blue-eye cats whose pedigrees contain only pointed blue-eyed registered Ragdolls. Ragamuffins are their own breed in these registries and do produce pointed kittens as well as solid kittens. Ragamuffins are not accepted in The International Cat Association (TICA). If a breeder who is registered with the other organizations likes the non-pointed colors in the Ragdoll type of cat, they would have to breed those cats with registrations only in TICA, but cannot show them. So it is a bit complicated as to why ‘solid Ragdolls’ are not accepted for show. Some Ragdoll breeders don’t consider them ‘true’ Ragdolls and probably the Ragamuffin breeders don’t either, as they have over time tried to get away from the Ragdoll standard to make their own distinct breed. Bottom line is that Ragdolls and Ragamuffins had some of the same origins and both breeds make wonderful pets. TICA registered ‘solid, sepia and mink’ Ragdolls are also beautiful, but the disparate views on whether they are ‘true’ Radolls remains.
Absolutely fascinating topic & pics, Jenny!!! I LURVE the solid Ragdolls very much!! As our super pawesome & mutual friend, Peg, enlightened me about them a few years ago when she was letting me know about her prior breeding program and sharing pics of all the lovely Raggies she has bred throughout the years. Some of her most beautiful & stunning kittehs have been the solids! 🙂 <3
Such a shame they aren't totally accepted via the Ragdoll World (organizations, breeders, lovers, etc.) They certainly should be!! 🙂 <3
I truly learned a lot and enjoyed this post so very much! Very well done and presented, honey!! 🙂 <3
Big hugs & lots of love!!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3
The cat that is pictured in this post is most stunning to me and looks like a Ragdoll too, to me. I am fascinated with the controversy and the strong opinions on both sides.
I TOTES AGREE!! 🙂 <3