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Tuxedo Ragdoll Cat: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)

Written by: Eleanor Glaum

Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Tuxedo cat

Tuxedo Ragdoll Cat: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)

Breed Overview

Length:

9–11 inches

Weight:

10–20 pounds

Lifespan:

13–18 years

Colors:

White, blue/gray, silver/lavender, red/orange, brown/chocolate/sable, black/ebony, cream/beige/tan, lilac

Suitable for:

Families with children, first-time cat owners, and homes with other pets

Temperament:

Loyal, friendly, easy to train, easy to groom, happy to be picked up, gets along with other pets

The Ragdoll is a charming, almost larger-than-life cat with stunning blue eyes and a generous disposition. This breed can have many different coat colors and patterns. The term “tuxedo” describes a specific coat color and pattern, with the name giving a clue to its appearance. Kitties with a tuxedo coat have a distinguished air about them and would not look out of place sipping martinis with James Bond!

The black and white bi-color tuxedo coat can be found in many different purebred and mixed-breed kitties. Most cats with this coat are predominantly black with a white chest, neck, face markings, and points, but white can sometimes be the dominant color.

A Ragdoll cat can be a variety of different colors, but if yours is not one of the many colors or patterns listed in the table, they may have mixed heritage. This is unlikely to diminish their delightful personality, however, which is a dominant aspect of the breed.

Ragdolls may have a tuxedo coat together with those signature blue eyes. If so, the eyes could point to pure breeding. However, it’s more likely that their genes have been mixed or diluted somewhere in their ancestry.

The tuxedo coat is common among a huge variety of cat breeds. It is most frequently observed in male cats but is still common in females.

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Tuxedo Ragdoll Cat Breed Characteristics

Energy
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A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
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Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
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Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
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Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.

The Earliest Records of Tuxedo Ragdoll Cats in History

The Ragdoll is a fairly recent breed of cat. Their origins can be accurately pinpointed to a Californian woman who bred the first ones in the 1960s. Ann Baker crossed a white Persian female cat with a Birman (or Birman-type) male. The resulting kittens were so unique in looks and behavior that she decided to selectively breed them. They acquired their name from the distinctive way that they go limp and relaxed when they are picked up.

The history of the tuxedo, also known affectionately as a “tuxie,” “Felix cat,” and “Jellicle cat,” is not well documented. This is because it is a color and pattern, rather than a breed.

It’s impossible to say exactly when tuxies first appeared in human society. However, they were certainly already around in ancient Egyptian times, as tomb explorations have revealed.

How Tuxedo Ragdoll Cats Gained Popularity

The tuxedo cat is striking and distinctive, and over the ages, they have been singled out and highlighted in many contexts. Tuxies in popular media began to emerge from the early 1900s. Think about Dr. Seuss’s “The Cat in the Hat,” Felix the Cat, and Sylvester from “Looney Tunes.” Some people claim that tuxies are smarter than cats of other colors!

The Ragdoll breed did not take long to establish themselves as one of the most popular. Given the incredible nature and beauty of these cats, it was inevitable. Much like tuxie lovers, Ragdoll aficionados claim that they are more intelligent than other breeds.

Ragdolls are famously owned by several celebrities. Taylor Swift has a bi-color seal Ragdoll called Benjamin Button. Seth Green, Sylvester Stallone, and Dannii Minogue also adore their Ragdolls.

Tuxedo ragdoll cat lying on the floor
Photo Credit: Liao Zhiwo Henry, Shutterstock

Formal Recognition of Tuxedo Ragdoll Cats

In terms of formal recognition, the tuxedo Ragdoll cat is not one of the recognized variations of the Ragdoll cat breed. However, unless you are intent on showing your Ragdoll, this is inconsequential.

The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the American Cat Fanciers’ Association, The International Cat Association, and the Cat Fanciers’ Federation only recognize the Ragdoll in specific color and coat pattern variations. Tuxedo Ragdolls are thought to be of impure breeding and as such, are not included in the register.

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Top 6 Unique Facts About Tuxedo Ragdoll Cats

1. The Tuxedo Coat Results From the Interaction Between Two Genes

A kitty’s tuxedo coat is thought to result from a random interaction between two genes during embryonic development. This is in contrast to most cat coloration and coat patterns, which result from inheritance. The two genes involved are the one that imparts a black coat and the one that results in white spotting.


2. In 2021, the Ragdoll Was Named the Most Popular Cat Breed in the World

In 2021, the Ragdoll was named the most popular cat breed in the world by the CFA. The people have spoken and we agree!

Tuxedo Ragdoll cat in the garden
Photo Credit: Donna la, Shutterstock

3. Tuxedos Have Been the Pets of Famous Historical Figures

Many famous and important historical figures have kept a tuxie as a pet. William Shakespeare, Sir Isaac Newton, and Beethoven are all said to have owned a tuxedo cat. A tuxie has even lived in the Whitehouse as Bill Clinton’s pet during his term in office.


4. Ragdoll Cats Are at Risk of Developing Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Although they are considered a healthy breed, Ragdolls are genetically predisposed to a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It is possible to screen for the gene that predisposes a cat to this disease. Consequently, cats in which the gene is identified should be removed from breeding programs.


5. Tuxies Are Said to Be More Intelligent Than Other Cats

It is rumored that tuxedo cats hit developmental milestones earlier than other cats. They may also develop faster than other kittens, both physically and mentally.

Tuxedo ragdoll cat sitting inside the house
Photo Credit: Liao Zhiwo Henry, Shutterstock

6. Purebred Ragdoll Kittens Are Born Pure White

A purebred Ragdoll kitten will be born pure white. At around 2 months of age, the coat will start to show some color. Their final adult color will only be visible when they are about 2 years old.

cat paw dividerDoes a Tuxedo Ragdoll Cat Make a Good Pet?

Tuxedo Ragdolls, or Ragdolls of any color, for that matter, make the most wonderful pets. There doesn’t seem to be a mean bone in this cat’s body. They simply ooze graciousness and amiability.

They are renowned for being one of the most laidback cat breeds and are tolerant of most environments and situations. Ragdolls are gentle and loyal yet still playful and stealthily mischievous. They are so gentle that they often don’t even extend their claws when playing, even though they play hard. This makes them a great choice for homes with small children.

They are just as fond of other fur members in the family as they are of their humans. It’s impossible to find any real faults with these delightful kitties. As a bonus, they are generally longer-lived than most other breeds, so you’re likely to enjoy your tuxedo Ragdoll for a good long time.

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Conclusion

The tuxedo Ragdoll cat may not be officially recognized by any of the feline registration authorities, but we think this is unimportant. The allure of these large, loving felines lies in their agreeable personalities and smart good looks, not their pedigree.

Both tuxedos and Ragdolls are said to be smarter than the average cat. Combined as a package, tuxedo Ragdolls may well possess an intellect that could rival Einstein’s!

If you’re fortunate enough to own a tuxedo Ragdoll, we reckon you’ve hit the kitty jackpot!

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Liao Zhiwo Henry, Shutterstock

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