The unique calm disposition might be one of the features that have gained popularity to the Ragdoll cats. Compared to the other cat breeds, like the Siamese cat breed, the Ragdoll cats have a more independent personality. That does not mean they do not like their human companions. They love to near people and relish the doting affection of their human companions. They also like being handled. Depending on their bloodlines and levels of socialisation, other cats don’t like being held to much. However, Ragdolls love it, and they go limp when you pick them up.
The Mink Ragdoll is not a new breed of the Ragdoll variety of cats. The term ‘Mink’ does not even refer to the pattern or colour. It denotes a bloodline, which you can trace back to the first breeder of the Ragdoll cats, Ann Baker. These cats are the Purebred Ragdoll cats. They are called Minks because their coats are even smoother compared to other Ragdoll cats.
In the past, most of the breeders liked to work with the traditional ragdoll cats. But with passing days, more and more breeders are falling in love with the luxurious dark coats and exotic eyes of the mink variety. Surely, one of the motivators that helped the breeders continue breeding the old Mink lines.
Difference between minks and traditional ragdolls
While both the minks and traditional are pure ragdolls, there are a couple of differences between these two breeds. The kittens of the Mink Ragdolls are born with their colourful coats. But, the kittens of the traditional ragdolls are, generally, white. The colour points of the coats of the Mink Ragdolls are darker and richer compared to the traditional.
You can find the Minks in all the standard colours, blue, seal, chocolate, flame, lilac, cream, tortie and blue-cream. The Minks are also available in all the regular patterns. You can find Minks with colour points, mitted (white gloves on the front paws, white bib and chin), and bi-colour (upturned V on the face and white on the chin, bib and legs), and Lynx.
The eye colour of the traditional Ragdolls and the Minks are also a distinguishing feature that you should consider. The eye colour of the Traditional Ragdoll is always blue. But, the Mink Ragdoll cats come with blue-green eyes. The most important factor is that Mink Ragdoll behaviour is the same as the traditional ones. They are floppy, docile, large and lovely cats that can become the best pet you can imagine.
The genetics of the Mink Ragdolls
Josephine, a white Ragdoll cat, and Buckwheat, a Burmese cat, were among the first couple of Ragdolls of Anne Baker’s Cattery. It is known that the Burmese types of cats have a huge role to play when it comes to the ragdoll breed. CB gene of the Burmese cats is responsible for its brownish coat, while their general background showcases a black coat. Whereas the points are concerned, the ears, mask, tails and legs of these cats are generally very dark in colour compared to the rest.
When the breeder used the Burmese cats for creating the Ragdolls, it made a unique mixture of genes. It is the Mink breed that acquired this unique gene combination, which is CBCS. A variety of the Burmese gene and pointed gene.
If two different Mink Ragdoll cats are mated, then the litter will be a unique mix of different colours. For example, 50% of the litter will be of the Mink colour, and 25% litter will be sepia. Sepia colour in Ragdolls is similar to the brown colour of the Burmese cats. The rest of the 25% will be the traditional Ragdolls.
This genetic distribution is another reason why it is difficult to breed the Mink ragdolls. Even when you breed Mink Ragdoll cats, half of the litter will be Mink variety. That makes it hard for the breeders to develop on the bloodline.
There is another point that you should know. Sometimes breeders will explain that their kittens are 1/4th or 1/2 Mink. But, in reality, this statement does not have any rationale. To be considered as the Mink Ragdolls, the kittens should have the CBCS genetic distributions. There is no confusion about this genetic condition.
We have explained the Ragdolls’ genetic distribution before describes 100% Pure Mink, 100% Sepia, and 100% Traditional Ragdolls. Just because kittens belong to Mink parents does not mean the Sepia or the Traditional Ragdoll kittens are Mink.
The appearance of Mink Ragdolls
Mink Ragdolls are the cats of superior bloodlines. The feel of the coats of the Mink ragdoll cats is similar to that of mink fur. The hair of the Mink breed is smoother than that of the traditional Ragdolls as well. That might be not easy to believe as the Traditional Ragdoll cats are known for their smooth coats. Their ocean blue eyes are yet another factor that makes these cats more attractive than the traditional ones.
Mink Ragdolls temperament
Most people wonder about the temperament of the cat breed before adopting them. As the Ragdolls are known for their docile attitude, people wonder whether the Mink Ragdolls possess a puppy-like personality.
Mink Ragdolls emulate the personality of the traditional Ragdolls. They are just as friendly, floppy and docile as their conventional counterparts.
The typical features of Mink and traditional Ragdolls
Aside from the attitude towards their owners, the Mink and the traditional Ragdoll cats share many traits. One of the foremost common factors is the spectrum of colour that each of the cats breeds cover. Along with that, their pattern varieties are equally vivid and exciting. Their affinity of their human friends is yet another common feature that these two breeds share.
Are Minks Ragdolls rare?
Minks are rare. They come from a special bloodline of Ragdoll cats which can be traced back to the first couple of Ragdolls that Ann Baker created in her cattery. There are only a handful of the breeders who work with the cats of this bloodline. What makes it tough to continue working on the Minks’ bloodlines is that when Mink cats are bred, you only get half the litter as the pure Minks, making the Minks Rare. However, their genetic value in the Ragdoll breed is essential.
Do Mink Ragdolls shed?
Just like other Ragdoll cats, the Mink Ragdolls also shed. Groom the cats regularly to limit the shedding to a bare minimum. That does not mean that Ragdoll cats shed a great deal. If you take proper care of your pet and make a continuous grooming effort, you can handle the shedding part pretty easily.
Do the Minks Ragdolls cost more?
Compared to the price of the traditional Ragdolls, the cost of the Mink ragdolls is higher. The reason is that these cats belong to a higher bloodline of this cat breed. You can trace the ancestry to the cats that Ann Baker had created in her cattery. This unique point makes the bloodline of the Mink Ragdolls pretty special. The smoothness of their coats and the colour of their eyes makes the Mink Ragdolls all too special.
Are Minks and Ragdolls different breeds?
Minks and Ragdolls are not two different breeds. They are not only the legitimate Ragdolls; they are also the direct successor of the first couple of Ragdolls that Ann Baker had created.
How to tell the difference between Mink Ragdolls and a traditional ragdoll?
Check the colour of their eyes to find out which one is Mink and which one is a traditional ragdoll. The smoothness of coat can be another point that might help you to differentiate between the breeds.
Conclusion
I hope you can now understand what a Mink Ragdoll is and have learnt a bit about their background. We give thanks to Ann Barker, who made the Mink Ragdolls happen. The Mink Ragdoll cats are pretty unique and can be a great choice as a pet.
