I’m getting a kitten soon and this time I’m torn between a Maine Coon and a Ragdoll. Then again, I keep thinking about the thousands of kittens in rescue centres (I wouldn’t mind adopting an adult cat at all) who are starving on the streets!!
But I absolutely love both breeds; they’re gorgeous and apparently have lovely temperaments (even though every cat has its own personality), and I just can't make up my mind!!
Basically, I’m in a real muddle!
My mum isn’t exactly keen on a Maine Coon as she thinks they’re too big, but I don't think she'd say no just because of that...
I’d love it if any Maine Coon and/or Ragdoll owners could share some info (personality, weight in lbs/stones, photos, habits, advice...) about the breed(s).
Thanks a lot,
Selena
Translated from French
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Don't pets have pedigree papers? Because without GCCF registration (or another pedigree), you won't have a Ragdoll, just a moggie. You'll also need to look into the requirements for importing a cat from France or even Spain.
Ragdolls don't need any special coat maintenance; their fur isn't long, it's more semi-longhaired. A weekly brush is usually enough, except during shedding season when you’ll need to do it daily. Just to be clear, a real Ragdoll is a pedigreed cat; a 'Ragdoll-type' is often just a moggie with a blue point coat or something similar. Ragdolls cost about £770 on average (based on the research I've done).
Ragdolls are generally described as very even-tempered, calm, gentle, quiet and very affectionate cats. They are also known for being very discreet, even down to their meow, which is very soft. They are real homebodies and adapt very easily. The Ragdoll is said to be quite fearless and very easy-going. They often lack a sense of danger, which is why it’s usually recommended not to let them go outside unsupervised. However, these personality traits are entirely individual and vary depending on each cat’s history. One amazing quirk is that when a Ragdoll is picked up and loses its footing, it relaxes completely and goes as limp as a rag doll.
Well, this cat is just stunning, I think they're absolutely gorgeous – and yes, that was a snippet from Wiki.
Despite their massive size and rugged appearance, they are often described as "gentle giants". Calm and independent, they prefer relaxed people who respect their personal space and don't impose overly strict boundaries.
They get on well with everyone, including strangers and other pets, and are known to be very gentle with children according to the GCCF breed profile[19]. Highly sociable, they are devoted to their families, including other pets and dogs[7].
They need to stay active but don't require a huge amount of space, so living indoors can suit them just fine; they won't go tearing around the house knocking everything over or climbing all over the place, though they do still enjoy being outside. They can easily be trained to walk on a lead. They love sitting back and watching the world go by, and often stand up on their hind legs to get a better look at something or to reach for an object.
While not overly vocal, Maine Coons love to "chat" with their owners. They don't meow much, but they have a distinctive "trill" or "chirrup".
They are very playful and, much like dogs, can even be taught to play fetch.
Rugged and independent, they are excellent hunters with a strong prey drive and a self-sufficient nature. They also have a thing for water; you might see them dipping a paw or two into their bowl before drinking, and they’ll happily hop into water to cool off when it’s hot.
Extract from the Wikipedia page on Maine Coons.
To be honest, the two breeds are very different. Sure, they're both "giant" breeds, but Maine Coons are more athletic and agile, so I'd imagine they're more playful. Ragdolls, on the other hand, aren't exactly known for their agility. I did some research when I was thinking of getting one, and in terms of cat trees, you shouldn't really go higher than about 4 feet; they’re not really cut out for being outdoor cats. Maine Coons are a bit more independent, but it’s a difficult comparison because Ragdolls are quite needy and need plenty of human company, or at least another cat for company.
I'm not going to recommend one breed over the other, but I think if you love having long play sessions with your cat—like games of hide and seek and so on—then a Maine Coon is probably your best bet. If you’d prefer a cat that’s more attached to you and isn't very active, then a Ragdoll would be more up your street.
