So, I'm new here and hoping to get a ragdoll in the future but want to learn as much about them as possible beforehand.
I'd really love some opinions on boys vs. girls. What are the differences? Pro's/Con's (if there are any
), and personality?
Thanks!
There isnt much of a difference between males and females other than size if you get them altered.
Here are my opinions, I'm a relatively green breeder (I've only raised 2 litters), but am an experienced cat owner/lover.
Males tend to be about 5lbs larger but of course there are large females and small males, its just a guideline.
I find that females, when going into heat change their coats, and before and after they give birth as well.
Males tend to keep a pretty steady appearance for the most part, but as they mature, males (even neutered males) can get what is known as "stud tail", a harmless greasy spot at the base of the tail that possibly results from the surge of hormones that puberty brings on.
Females tend to be more "catty". Mind you, I may be biased when I say this, but it gives them more personality. I suspect that like any woman, the girly ragdolls also "have THOSE days" too lol.
Males, okay maybe not all males (its quite possibly only MY male) are lazy and fat. << okay, that is not "possibly" only my male, its "probably" only my male that's like that lol<<
Georgie boy and even Egglett are the cuddliest things on this planet, whereas Angel and Stella are cuddly, but not as cuddly as George or Egglett. I suspect its because I'm female because George and Egglett are more keen to cuddle me, whereas Angel and Stella are more keen to cuddle the old grizzly man... actually.. I think it also depends on who spends more time with them, and most importantly who feeds them lol.
Boys are bigger then girls.
Boys are said to be more affectionate and laid back, I only have a boy so I dont know if this is true, but Ive been told that by two different ragdoll breeders.
Girls are more reserved and shy away from strangers, while boys will go straight towards strangers and flop near them too. I have been told that by a breeder and also experienced it at my cat's breeders house. We had about 6 show neutered boys around us in the lounge room, and one or two of the breeding girls, but we could see the other girls hiding in the kitchen.
The personality's will most likely be the same if neutered, the size being the only difference but I have had the only two breeders ive talked to about getting a kitten from, both saying that the boys will be more affectionate.
Someone else on here that has both a girl and a boy will be able to help more then me, Im just going by what Ive been told when I asked this question.
I look forward to seeing your future raggie soon!
The most reliable difference is size and even there many girls are bigger than some boys. Boys are extremely gentle and loving. Girls are also very loving and attentive. Our literal lap cats tend to be girls, while the boys tend to prefer to snuggle up against us, which is good based on comparative size. You should be happy with either. There is a general feeling that boys are cuddlier, but that may be the effect of size and, when coming from breeders, may be an issue of hormones and pecking order among multiple whole girls in the house. If you badly want a larger Ragdoll, you probably should select a male. Otherwise, just select the kitten that seems to be (and you believe will become) most like what you want.
Thanks for the info!
It sounds like the differences are really small so that's a good thing.
I love fat and lazy, lol, but it would be great if the cat had some spunk and loved to play. I am an avid believer in spay/neuter so my plan is to get the kitty altered as soon as it's best to do it. What age is good for that?
With dogs, like my labs for instance, it's best to wait until their growth plates are done growing before neutering/spaying, typically between 12 and 18 months. I know a lot of vets and rescue orgs. advocate doing it asap to trying to reduce instances of accidental breedings and such, but I want to do it when it's best for my baby.
I also heard that male cats will start spraying when they reach sexual maturity. Does this apply to Ragdolls as well?
Both boy and girl cats spray when mature. You are not likely to find a Ragdoll not altered before you get the kitten. Early alter is perfectly safe for the cat and theories and fears about early speuter have been found not to be real when studied.
Do not assume Ragdolls are not active and playful. Sometimes folks confuse loving, cuddly and floppy with inactive, which is not correct.
Thanks JanH!
I will not assume anything, that's for sure.
That's why I'm asking about everything before I get one.
Ragdolls seem to be the perfect kitty. I don't know why anyone would want any other kind, LOL!
You will be hard pressed to find a breeder that will adopt out unaltered kittens. When I was searching for breeders, I found a couple that had contracts that maintained you must neuter/spay a kitten by the time it was 6 months old to receive CFA/TICA registration papers, but it seemed like the majority have moved to early spay/neuter.
There are many things to keep in mind when searching for a reputable breeder. If a breeder does not do early spay/neuter, or have a spay/neuter clause in their contract, they clearly do not sell actual Ragdolls. One of the easier way to identify a reputable breeder is by price. In the US, pet-quality Ragdolls seem to run, at minimum, $650-700 (based on my own fairly extensive search for a breeder in Ohio and what I have heard from others). There are no $250 or $400 Ragdoll kittens.
Very good information, Chrysee! Thanks!
It will be nice to not have to go through the worry of spay/neuter...I always worry something will go wrong.
When we went to go pick our kitten, I was determined to have a girl as my last cat of 19 years was a boy. I had even bought a pink carrier....Well, when we went to see the kittens, Sam was so friendly, sat in the middle of the room and kept rubbing against my leg, etc. He picked me! So I had to exchange the carrier! He is a very nice boy. He is very laid back. And we just love him. See my recent thread of Sam's Quirks. Our breeder alters her kittens before they go to new homes. I would assume this is mostly to protect her line and competition. Have fun choosing and good luck with your new kitten!