When you first lay eyes on a Ragamuffin cat, its name might throw you off. It's a bit peculiar, isn't it? A cat with such a name, yet it bears such a striking resemblance to a Ragdoll. Ever wondered about the origin of the name and the connection to the Ragdoll breed? Well, let's dive into this feline mystery!

The recognition of a cat breed usually goes through traditional purebred cat breeding organizations like CFA and TICA. However, the founders of the Ragdoll breed decided to break the mold, registering 'Ragdoll' as a trademark and patent, and creating their own organization, the International Ragdoll Cat Association . This meant that the first Ragdolls in 1971 had to adhere to IRCA's stringent standards and register with them to use the name.

But as it turns out, a new association doesn't have much clout, and this posed a significant barrier to the promotion of the breed. In 1975, a group with a pair of breeding cats left IRCA and developed their own standards, which were eventually recognized by major cat associations, thus propelling the Ragdoll into the spotlight.

Then, in 1994, another group left IRCA, but their motives were different. They wanted to introduce new blood to improve the breed's health, but since 'Ragdoll' was a registered trademark, any cat named Ragdoll had to follow the registered standards. Their attempt to change this failed, leaving them with cats that were essentially Ragdolls but couldn't be called that. One member, in a bit of a huff, suggested, "Since we can't call our cats ragdoll, let's call them ragamuffin." The name stuck, and it played on the ragamuffin's soft, cuddly nature, similar to the Ragdoll.

With the name settled, they began to refine the Ragdoll breed. Introducing genes from Persians, Himalayans, Angoras, and long-haired domestic cats, they slowly stabilized the genetics and set standards, leading to the birth of the Ragamuffin we know today. Unlike the Ragdoll's restricted coat colors and blue eyes, the Ragamuffin allows any color and even rare ones like mink and sepia. They are robust, free from known hereditary diseases, slightly smaller than the Ragdoll, and even more affectionate and friendly.

This breed is relatively new, only formally recognized as an independent breed in the last decade, not as a sub-species of the Ragdoll. They're not as common, and breeders are fewer, but as a Ragamuffin owner, I can vouch for their charm. They're a delight!

So, how do you tell them apart? They're quite similar, with similar builds, faces, coat lengths, and personalities. The easiest way is to check the registration papers. If a cat has a Ragdoll face but a non-focus color, like mitted or bi-color, with non-blue eyes, it's a Ragamuffin. If it has the three patterns and blue eyes, it's likely a Ragdoll. And if it's mitted, it could also be a Birmans. One cute little detail: Ragdolls mature in three years, but Ragamuffins take 4 to 5 years to fully grow up. Talk about adorable, right?

As I sit here, typing this, I can't help but think back to the first time I saw a Ragamuffin. It was love at first sight, really. There's something about their softness, their eyes that seem to say, "I'm here to love and be loved," that just draws you in. If you ever get the chance to meet one, I highly recommend it. They might just steal your heart, just like they did mine.

So there you have it, the tale of the Ragamuffin cat, once a ragamuffin itself, now a beloved and charming breed. Who knew a name could have such a rich history and such a beautiful outcome?