They are distinct breeds or lines that originated from the early foundation cats used in the development of the Ragdoll breed, but later developed different appearances as breeding programs and standards diverged. When Ann Baker started the Ragdoll breed, she worked with non-pedigreed cats, and early kittens showed a range of appearances because the foundation cats were not a standardized breed.

   

    Over time, she applied stricter selection to establish the consistent traits that define the modern Ragdoll. She focused on characteristics that created the breed standard seen today.

 

    The Ragamuffin later developed from related breeding lines after separation from the original program. The term Cherubim was used within Ann Baker’s system to describe certain cats, but it is not consistently recognized as a standardized breed in modern registries.

 

    Personally, I appreciate the direction she took, as Ragdolls have a very distinct and refined appearance compared to other related lines that developed different traits.

 

    There are breeders registered with organizations such as The International Cat Association who do not prioritize strict breed-standard preservation, which some people feel can lead to variation outside the traditional Ragdoll standard.

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Fun Fact: According to MessyBeast: Early Ragdoll History, Ann Baker charged approximately $1,000 for breeding rights during the early development of the Ragdoll breed in the mid-20th century. At the time, this was an extremely high price and is estimated to be equivalent to several thousand dollars today depending on inflation. This reflects the exclusivity and controlled nature of the early breeding program.