Ragamuffin cats are large, long-bodied felines famous for their lovable personalities. They are so-called “offshoots” of the Ragdoll breed. Meanwhile, Maine Coons are popular for being gentle giants. They are affectionate, calm and get along well with kids and other pets. In this article, you can learn more about the differences between these two large breeds to help you decide which one suits you best.
Ragamuffin vs Maine Coon: What are the differences?
1. Origin and history
The history of Ragamuffins begins with Ragdoll cats, which originated in the 1960s in the state of California. The first Ragdoll cat was called Josephine. Breeders eventually decided to create a new breed from the Ragdoll breed, and this is now known as the Ragamuffin. These cats are also known as the daughters of Josephine.
Maine Coons originated in the state of Maine, USA, and were allegedly brought into America from Europe via ships.
2. Body size
Ragamuffins weigh around 10 to 20 pounds, with a height of 10 to 16 inches, while Maine Coons can weigh up to 18 or 25 pounds.
3. Type and color of coat
Ragamuffins have long, silky fur in colors such as white, blue, cream, red, brown, lilac, black, fawn, chocolate, fawn, platinum, cinnamon, cameo, silver and lavender. Bi-color Ragamuffins have an inverted V on their forehead, with white stomach and legs. The mitted Ragamuffin has points, and the feet and chin are white.
Meanwhile, Maine Coons have long, shaggy fur and common colors include creams, red, blue, solid white and black. They also have color patterns such as tabby, particolor, bi-color, shaded, calico and tortoiseshell.
4. Eye color and shape
Ragamuffins have walnut-shaped eyes and the common colors are blue, green, amber, gold, hazel or odd-eyed. Maine Coons have slightly oblique eyes, and colors include green, gold, copper or odd-eyed.
Ragamuffin and Maine Coon: Similarities
They are similar in personality and temperament.
Ragamuffins have a sweet and gentle temperament. They are even-tempered and get along well with family members. They are ideal companions and loyal to their humans. These affectionate felines are also adaptable to their environment.
Maine Coons are also gentle and affectionate, with a relaxed and calm demeanor. These gentle giants are sociable and adaptable to their environment. They are also very smart and can easily be trained.
They are both prone to specific health issues.
Ragamuffins are prone to health problems like heart disease, upper respiratory tract disorders, kidney disease, cystitis and infectious diseases. Meanwhile, Maine Coons are prone to hip dysplasia, spinal muscular atrophy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – the latter being a common heart disease among cats.
Ragamuffins are closely related to Ragdolls and both become limp like a soft toy when you pick them up. These cats like to curl up on their favorite humans and enjoy being cuddled. Since they love human attention, they could become depressed if they are left alone for long periods. They are easy to care for and only need to be groomed every few days.
These cats were not originally called Ragamuffins. They were first meant to be called “Liebling”, the German word for sweetheart or darling. The name Ragamuffin was selected to create a link with the foundation breed, which is the Ragdoll.
Maine Coons, on the other hand, are vocal felines known for their chirps and trills. They can be walked on a leash and can be playful at times. They also love water and will willingly swim in the tub or play with dripping water from the tap.
Other large cat breeds:
- American Bobtail
- Turkish Van
- British Shorthair
- Chausie
- Ragdoll
- Norwegian Forest Cat
- Siberian
- Savannah
Conclusion
Ragamuffin cats are an offshoot of the Ragdoll breed and are popular for their sweet and affectionate temperament. They differ in several ways from Maine Coons, including their coat colors, eyes, size, weight and history. However, they also share similarities such as their personalities and proneness to health problems.
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