In my search for a reputable Ragdoll breeder, I came across some questionable tactics. One of these tactics was to market sepia or mink colored Ragdolls as rare types and to charge up the wazoo for one.
First let me say that if you like this pattern or color on a cat, that’s totally fine. BUT…don’t think you’re getting some kind of holy grail rare Ragdoll. You’re not. This type is only rare because not too many reputable breeders even consider working with them seeing as how they can only be registered as a Ragdoll “Variant” and can not be shown at any association competition.
According to the TICA, the sepia or mink colors aren’t even mentioned in the breed’s traits.
“All pointed Ragdolls have beautiful blue eyes and come in 3 patterns: colorpoint, bicolor, mitted. The Ragdoll color pallet consists of seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, red and cream along with the tortoiseshell and lynx (or tabby) variations. Colorpoint Ragdolls have classic markings like the Siamese with no white anywhere on the body; mitted Ragdolls have white feet in the front looking like mittens and white to the hock on the backlegs looking like boots along with a possible white blaze on the face; bi-color Ragdolls have more white extending higher up the legs than on the mitteds, splashes of white on the back, a white underside and an inverted white V on the face.” – TICA.org
Now, you may be thinking, I don’t care about showing my cat. Why would I give to figs about that? Who cares?
Here’s the main point: Trying to pass these cats off as “rare” or “unique” is simply a shady business practice to pass off non standard cats for top dollar. The breeders who do this may be lovely people. However, none of the websites I saw that claimed to be selling the rare sepia/mink Ragdolls even alluded to the fact that the colors were not recognized by the major cat fancier associations.
That seems underhanded to me. A buyer should know what they’re getting, and what they’re not getting. If you’re spending upwards of $700 dollars on a cat, you shouldn’t be bamboozled in the process. If you buy from a breeder, you’re not just buying a cat. You’re buying some assurances. One, that your cat will display some or all of the Ragdoll personality traits. Two, your cat is well bred and will have some kind of health guarantee for the first year at least. Three, your cat is in fact a Ragdoll and will be registered with the TICA.
If you care more about the color of the cat than supporting standardized breeding practices, maybe you should consider adopting from a shelter. There are some Ragdolls or Ragdoll mixes who get taken in. You’ll save money at the very least. And at most, you’ll end up with a super loving cat who’s got some of those Ragdoll qualities you were attracted to in the first place.
Phoebe Tails 