Ragdoll cats are a specific type of cat that has a distinctive look. This beautiful breed has a gentle, docile temperament and comes from a long line of “Ragdolls” from the early 1960s. They have a distinctive appearance with a silky coat and stunning blue eyes. But what exactly is a mismarked Ragdoll?
Mismarks are rare variations in color or pattern which occur as an accident of genetics. These variations are not an accepted breed standard for Ragdoll cats.
Our Ragdoll cat, Violet, is a mismarked Lilac Bicolor. Her V-Mark mask is excessively asymmetrical and extends to her nose leather, and she has a white tip on her tail. But we still think she is utterly adorable!
Ragdoll Breed Standards
A mismarked Ragdoll simply means that the cat does not conform to the breed standard set out by the governing cat associations such as The International Cat Association (TICA) and The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). However, the Ragdoll still has the same adorable temperament that they are loved for. View the TICA Ragdoll Breed Standard document.
Mismarks may present as the following:
Mitted Ragdoll
- Lack of white belly stripe
- White on ears or tail
- Uneven mitts
- Color present on mitts
- Absence of white chin
Mismarked Mitted Ragdoll with odd socks
Image Source: Facebook
Colorpoint Ragdoll
- A presence of any locket or white spot on the cat’s body.
Mismarked Seal Colorpoint with a white spot on its paw.
Image source: Facebook
Bicolor Ragdoll
- The distinctive V marking extends beyond the outer edges of the eyes,
- The V marking is excessively asymmetrical,
- The V marking has dark spotting
- The V marking is absent.
- White marking on ears
- Extensive dark area on any leg.
Mismarked Bicolor Ragdoll with spots and nose smudge
Image Source: Facebook
Van Pattern Ragdoll
- More than twenty percent color on body
- Total absence of point color on the head or tail.
A ragdoll cat with mismarking will not be able to perform well in cat shows, and will either receive a penalty or be disqualified depending on how much mismarking is present.
What are Hock Marks?
Some mismarked Ragdoll Cats have Hock Marks on their feet. Hock Marks are genetic markings that result in a darker patch of color on the Ragdoll’s hock. This is considered to be a defect in the show ring and the Ragdoll would automatically be disqualified. Ragdolls with hock marks are considered pet quality not show quality.
Should I buy a Pet Quality or Show Quality Ragdoll Kitten?
A Ragdoll cat breeder may choose to list their kittens for sale as either show quality or pet quality. A show quality kitten will have perfect markings and, thus, attract a much higher price than that of the mismarked kittens deemed as pet quality. A Ragdoll kitten sold as a breeding cat, with breeding rights, will be of show quality.
If you’re looking to buy a ragdoll kitten and know that you don’t want it entered in shows, then there’s no reason not to get a pet quality kitten. Both kittens will be purebred and have the same temperament, the only difference is the price! Looking to purchase a Ragdoll Kitten? Find a breeder in our directory.
Some people prefer a mismarked Ragdoll to the “usual” look because they think it’s more unique and adorable.
Mismarked Bicolor Ragdoll with asymmetrical V Mask
Image Source: Facebook
Is a ‘blaze’ a mismark?
A mitted Ragdoll can sometimes appear with a white spot on its face which may look like a blaze, star or hourglass. The blaze is not a mismark as is accepted as breed standard in mitted Ragdolls. However, only mitted ragdolls are permitted to have a blaze. If a white spot appears on either a colorpoint or bicolor Ragdoll then this is classed as a mismark.
