The Ragdoll is genetically defined by homozygosity at the colourpoint locus (cs/cs), restricting all phenotypic color expression to the pointed pattern where thermosensitive tyrosinase produces pigment only at the extremities. FIFe-recognized EMS codes for the Ragdoll are bounded to seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream points — plus tortie and tabby-point variants — expressed in three pattern classes: colourpoint, mitted, and bicolor. Feline genetics calculations for Ragdoll programs must account for the mandatory cs/cs genotype and the interplay of the B (chocolate), D (dilution), and O (orange) loci within the restricted colourpoint phenotype.
Common recessive carriers
All Ragdolls are homozygous cs/cs at the colourpoint locus — there are no non-pointed Ragdolls in standard programs. Chocolate (b) and dilution (d) alleles are present as common recessives. Red (O locus, hemizygous in males) produces red and tortie-point variants. Lilac (b/b + d/d) is produced only from matings where both parents carry both b and d alleles.
Breed-specific restrictions
All Ragdolls must be cs/cs (homozygous colourpoint). Non-pointed Ragdolls are a disqualifying fault under FIFe standard. The Cinnamon (bl) allele is not accepted. Dominant White (W) is not permissible. Ticked tabby (25) is not a recognized pattern in RAG. The Mitted pattern is controlled by the White-gloving (Sb) gene, distinct from the standard S-locus bicolor white.
Pattern quirks
Within the pointed series, Ragdolls are classified by body pattern: colourpoint (no white), mitted (Sb gene — white mittens and belly), and bicolor (S locus — inverted 'V' blaze plus white body portions). Tabby-point (lynx point, 21) overlays the tabby pattern onto the points and is fully accepted. All pattern × color combinations are valid within the allowed base color range.
RAG n 33Seal ColourpointRAG a 33Blue ColourpointRAG b 33Chocolate ColourpointRAG n 04 33Seal Mitted ColourpointRAG f 33Seal Tortie ColourpointRAG a 21 33Blue Tabby-Point (Lynx Point)Free online tool to predict kitten coat colors based on Mendelian genetics. Select the breed and appearance of sire and dam to see color probabilities.
Enter the appearance of both parents to calculate color predictions.