Got it (thank you for explaining). In the case of a kitten with poor contrast, colors change as they grow up but contrast would likely get worse instead of better as I imagine the body color on an already dark seal would just get darker while the points don't catch up?
Often, young pointed kittens with poor contrast will improve in contrast as older kittens and young adults. One usually knows based on how the ancestors developed. It is an exception to the general rule that both body and points get darker with age for pointed cats.
Thank you for your well wishes and supporting the happiness of a new home for the mink ragdoll kitten. You rock!
(07-19-2010 10:44 PM)nycragdoll Wrote: [ -> ] (07-19-2010 10:32 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]The cat is not a lesser "cat." He is an unaccepted variant RAGDOLL. AS A RAGDOLL, he lacks contrast and is like a Ragdoll who spent too much time in a coal mine. Just as some love the Bengals spots and the Persians flat face, they love cats that have that look. They are just "bad" Ragdolls. If you have a spotted "Ragdoll" or a flat faced "Ragdoll" or a hairless "Ragdoll," then you have a "bad" Ragdoll. That does not mean you do not have the cat you want and it does not mean he is not a wonderful cat.
However, it is important to understand what is included in the breed and what is not. One cannot have a breed if each breeder is going to make an independent decision about what the cat will be like. To have a breed, one must have agreed characteristics that are in the breed and ones that are not. Minks and solids are not accepted variants within the breed.
JanH I agree with you 100%! But she/he titled the thread "mink mitted ragdoll" so I have a feeling maybe they just do not know any better, or maybe just do not care. I think your wording is what got to me tonite.
I found it sad and harsh period. Now that's it for me on this subject, I cannot argue with someone that I totaly agree with but feel is sometimes harsh with their words.
Lexi
Thanks everyone for the love. The new kitten needs it, he seems to have a little separation anxiety from his litter mates and mommy.
To JanH: the breeder has on her website that her Ragdolls are TICA certified. She is listed on their registered breeder's list and the adoption contract specifically lists the color and markings of the kitten along with affirmation that his TICA papers will come after she receives proof of neuter/spay.
http://www.baileysragdolls.net
My kitten is certainly a Ragdoll and has perfectly beautiful coat & eyes. He has high contrast between his mink coloring and white mittens and tuxedo like belly. Even if he's denied TICA registration, he's still exactly what I was looking for and will be loved!
(07-19-2010 08:37 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]A very cute kitten, but, folks, minks are a rejected variant in Ragdolls for a reason. The mink has a sepia gene in place of one of the two pointed genes of the Ragdoll breed - which is a blue eyed, pointed breed only. It is important in pointed cats that one has the maximum contrast between points and body. The mink has a dark body and, therefore, very poor contrast and has aqua colored eyes instead of the Ragdoll blue. These are not what one wants in a pointed breed. Breeders are working on improving breed contrast and blue eye color and minks point in exactly the wrong direction for the Ragdoll breed. Minks are like Ragdolls who spent too much time in a coal mine.
Minks are an unaccepted variant in Ragdolls. They cannot be shown for championship and are outside the breed standard. ANY variant can be registered as a Ragdoll in TICA by ONE BREEDER ACTING ALONE. The breed is not defined by the registration status of the cat in TICA, but by the breed standard agreed upon by breeders as a group. Minks and solids are outside that standard. I, acting alone, can "create" a hairless Ragdoll with SBT status in TICA even though every other breeder and every pet owner rejects that variant as belonging in Ragdolls. It means nothing about the status of that cat as a Ragdoll. If you have the blue slip, does it have the box by "STD" checked? It should not, since mink is not a variant within the standard. In TICA, it is an experimental breeding not yet accepted in the breed and not showable for championship. The breeder should have explained this to you, if she did not. Unfortunately, too many breeders tout the irrelevant SBT status and even falsehoods about foundation Ragdolls to cover the fact that these cats are not accepted in the breed and that they are from recent outcrosses into IRCA cats.
It is a good thing that breeders can choose to experiment with new variants. But they should be honest that it is an experiment unaccepted in the breed and not use TICA registration rules to mislead about the acceptance of the cats within the breed. I hope you were not misled.
As for contrast, you are not understanding what is meant in pointed cats. A very light body consistent with the point color is what is wanted in pointed cats. It is a question of the DEGREE of contrast. Of course, points will still be distinguishable in cats with poor contrast. That does not mean the contrast is at the desirable level. Minks are genetically going to have less contrast because they have only one pointed (Siamese) gene rather than the two of Ragdolls. That is why their presence in the breed complicates the task of working on contrast appropriate for a pointed breed - and the Ragdoll is a blue eyed pointed breed only.
Of course, for this kitten and you, the only relevant fact is that he is what you want. However, others need to decide if they want to support this new direction for Ragdolls. TICA breeders considered that recently and voted to reject it.
Congrats on your new baby! I'm glad you already love him to bits and you're sure to have many happy years together
He's just precious washing himself too.
Hehe dextersmom, love the ewok comment! Another self-confessing star wars fan??
Jamasian! Your baby is beautiful! The nasty people on here is more than likely a result of jealousy!
(07-20-2010 02:51 PM)jadelois Wrote: [ -> ]Jamasian! Your baby is beautiful! The nasty people on here is more than likely a result of jealousy!
Oh no...... I dont think anyone was being Nasty. I just thinik that the wording was harsh. And Yes like I said from the get go your little one is just adorable. Congratulations
Nobody was being jealous either. ; )
Awww....he's so cute! Congrats on your new baby boy!