Ragdolls are among the largest of the domestic cat breeds and are slow-maturing, taking up to three to four years to reach full weight and size. Pointed color cats are born white, and may take two or more years to fully develop their color. The Ragdoll has a long muscular body, with a tendency toward a fatty pad on the lower abdomen. The head is a broad, modified wedge, with a rounded, well-developed muzzle and chin. The ears are medium-sized, broad at the base and rounded at the tip.
Legs are medium in length, with large, round tufted feet.
The tail is long and full. The Ragdoll was first recognized as a breed in the mid-1960's. Offspring that had the desired traits were then carefully bred to consistently pass on those traits to their progeny. There is no evidence that any purebred cats were used in the development of the Ragdoll. However, cats registered only in IRCA are not eligible to be registered and shown in other cat associations.