The Ragdoll breed has one of the most fascinating histories in the cat world — filled with unique foundation cats, rare colors, and a surprising amount of modern-day confusion. Many people still wonder:

 

Are Mink, Sepia, and Solid Ragdolls different from Traditional blue-eyed Ragdolls?

The short answer: No — they are all one Ragdoll family. Let’s break it down clearly, accurately, and in a fun way. 💕

 

🌱 Where It All Began: Ann Baker’s Vision

 

The Ragdoll breed was created in California in the 1960s by Ann Baker, a woman determined to develop a cat that was not only beautiful, but also calm, loving, and incredibly people oriented.

 

The story begins with Josephine, a semi-feral longhaired solid white Angora Persian type cat. Ann bred Josephine to Burmese and Birman-type males who demonstrated the affectionate, floppy, docile personalities that would later define the breed, and selecting kittens for:

✨ Docile and affectionate temperament


✨ Plush, luxurious coats


✨ An easygoing, floppy personality

 

These early cats formed the foundation of ALL Ragdolls today.​​ These early foundation cats, including Josephine, Buckwheat (a solid black male), and Daddy Warbucks (who carried the Burmese “darkening” gene), formed the genetic base of today’s Ragdolls. It is from these lines that breed standards today were developed by associations such as TICA (The International Cat Association) and CFA (The Cat Fanciers’ Association).

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🕊️ Traditional & Cherubim Cats: The Original Lineup

 

Before the breed entered cat associations like TICA and CFA, Ann Baker registered her cats through her own organization, IRCA (International Ragdoll Cat Association). Many people don’t realize this, but Ann Baker’s program included more than just blue-eyed pointed cats.

 

In her personal registry, IRCA (International Ragdoll Cat Association):

• “Ragdolls” ➝ referred to the pointed, blue-eyed variety

• “Cherubim Cats” ➝ referred to the entire family line, including:

  • Traditional (colourpoint)

  • Mink

  • Sepia

  • Solid

 

Yes — from the very beginning, all four types existed together in the same breeding program. This is why they share identical ancestry, even though registries later separated them by terminology.​

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🏆The Registry Split: Why Only Traditionals Are Show-Recognized

 

When breeders outside IRCA wanted the Ragdoll recognized by major cat associations like TICA and CFA, the standard they submitted focused only on the pointed, blue-eyed look.

 

This was a show standard choice, not a genetic distinction.
It did not mean the other colors were new, mixed, or separate breeds.

 

As a result:

• Traditional Ragdolls = show-recognized “Ragdoll”

• Minks, Sepias & Solids = placed under “Ragdoll Variant” (TICA)

 

The word variant simply means “not fitting the strict show standard” — 💡 not “a different breed.”

 

All four types still share the exact same roots and can be trace back directly to Josephine and the original IRCA cats.

 

Some breeders have revived the term "Cherubim" to distinguish non-pointed Ragdolls as a separate group. As of May 2025, TICA has officially reclassified mink, sepia, and solid Ragdolls under the Cherubim category within the Ragdoll breed, allowing them to compete in shows within their own division.

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🧬Genetics: Why They Are All Pure Ragdolls

 

The only difference between these four Ragdoll types is their color gene expression — nothing else.

 

🔹Traditional (cs/cs)

➝ Classic colourpoint

➝ Must have blue eyes

➝ Born white; color develops slowly

 

🔹Mink (c/cs)

➝ One colourpoint + one solid gene

➝ Richer, warmer coats

➝ Aqua, green or gold eyes

 

🔹Sepia (c/c)

➝ Double solid gene

➝ Deeply pigmented coats

➝ Gold, green, hazel, or amber eyes

 

🔹Solid (various solid combinations)

➝ Fully pigmented from birth

➝ Same structure, temperament, and foundation lineage

 

None of these genes affect:
💗 Personality
💗 Health
💗 Temperament
💗 Body type
💗 Coat texture
💗 Breed-defining traits

 

They influence only melanin and eye pigmentation — the “paint job,” not the breed.

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🌈Why Responsible Breeders Use Cherubim Lines

 

Ethical breeders often intentionally include Mink, Sepia, and Solid lines because they offer valuable benefits:

 

✔ Genetic Diversity

Including Cherubims prevents bottlenecking, especially in heavily traditionalized programs.

 

✔ Coat & Pattern Enhancement

Minks and Sepias often have:

• Silkier coats

• Clearer patterns

• Stronger pigmentation

These traits can improve traditional kittens when used thoughtfully.

 

✔ Preservation of True Ragdoll History

Ann Baker’s original breeding program included all these colors.
Breeders who work with Cherubim lines help preserve authentic Ragdoll heritage.

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💙 Traditional vs. Cherubim: What Buyers Should Know

 

Despite the different looks:

✨ They are all purebred Ragdolls.


✨ They all trace back to Josephine, Buckwheat, Daddy Warbucks, and other early foundation cats.
✨ They all carry the trademark Ragdoll temperament — loving, floppy, gentle, family-oriented.

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“Cherubim” simply describes the full Ragdoll family tree, not a separate species or mix.

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🐾The Bottom Line

 

Whether Traditional, Mink, Sepia, or Solid, they all share the same history and the same heart.

 

⭐ One breed. ⭐ Multiple colors. ⭐ All Ragdoll.

 

Ragdolls continue to enchant families around the world — gentle, graceful, stunning, and endlessly affectionate — just as Ann Baker envisioned all those years ago. 💖

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