Cat genetics question

G'day,  I have 4 Ragdoll cats.  All are from the same breeder so all have the same father.  The oldest had a different mother and looks like a regular poster cat for Ragdolls.  The other three had a different mother and all are "solid" colors.  Two of these are littermates and are healthy and normal except the female is a little small for the breed.  Now the youngest of the four is totally a mutant.

The youngest is a 3/4 scale model of the others.  He is not like a munchkin but his legs are shorter but they are straight and properly shaped.  His back is about 3/4 the length of the next sized cat.  He is black and white like Sylvestor the cat but the hair on his underside is curly.  I mean really curly and down right cute.  He also has a wider body than the rest.  His front legs are positioned more like a dog's than a cat's and he has a broad chest like a boxer.

As far as health issues, he was sickly when we got him.  He has had constantly runny eyes but his siblings have started grooming him, especially his face.  They keep him neat as a pin.  They really are a loving family.

Anyway, what do I have?  Is he just a little dwarf cat?  The breeder was willing to warrantee him but her enthusiasm for getting him back was a little excessive. 

Thanks,  MS

It probably is just a smaller sized cat. My cats are mutts but I have a pointed boy who is 13 pounds of lean muscle and a 7 pound female whose just little all around (but pretty round, she might need a diet after the winter). Here they are side by side and she's 18 months old even though she looks younger.


Although.... my Aunt is an Airedale person. Purebred with papers, always two females, always from the same line and breeder. But the last two times she's gotten new dogs they have not lasted as long, terrible health problems and overall smaller in size. We've been telling her that the genetic stock that breeder is using is getting too diluted, needs new blood, or something got into the bloodline for probably 12 years now (she had 4 dogs in those 12 years and none lived past 7, not for lack of care. My Aunt has no kids and has done full hip replacements and experimental treatments for her dogs). When she lost one of her girls at the young age of 5 she decided to listen to us and use a different breeder. Her newest puppy is happy, average size for the breed, and most importantly healthy. Maybe the breeder you went through is having the same problem of something in the bloodline.... or that little one is a genetic quirk they do happen with even the best breeders.

I wouldn't read too much into the breeders willingness/enthusiasm to take him back. It probably has to do with wanting to keep you happy since you've already acquired 3 others from the breeder. But it could also be health concerns they have seen in others (might be a good idea to invest in some pet insurance me thinks?) 

Now for the most important question..... pictures? I want to see this curly little ragamuffin.   

G'day,  You may be correct.  I recently checked with the breeder and the Queen that produced 3 of our cats has been retired and spayed.  Maybe she was just trying to keep us happy.  With how loving the little monster is I could never part with him. 

Our first ragdoll was actually acquired several years ago.  He was born on our 20th anniversary and we had him for 14 years.  He had asthma and I think the combination of that and the prednisone they prescribed for it shortened his life.  He was a love and would jump and sit on our shoulders like a pirates parrot.  He would also lie on his back in your arms, grasp a blade of grass in his paws, and eat it like a little panda.  He is what hooked us on the ragdolls.

If I can figure out how to post pictures I will post some of him and his siblings.  I am not too good at the technical things.  The last stroke kind of wiped out a lot of what I could do. 

ms

I look forward to it but don't worry if you can't. I am sure my imagination does him justice.

Your other ragdoll sounds like a wonderful cat. I read about your little nurse too. You've been blessed with some wonderful feline companions. 

I love the characters that cats can be once you truly get to know and love them. My little girl is affectionately called our garbage kitty. She was feral and had no mother starting at around 5-6 weeks old; a year old male took over caring for her plus the other 11 kittens. Sadly, only she and one other male from the other litter survived (a heat wave took all the other kittens the weekend after she was dumped on me at about 4 months old, long story). She frequently steals our food and is super protective of her "prizes". Last night she stole an ear of corn and ran off with it. The corn was longer than she is tall so it was dragging on the ground behind her. lol. 

I really would like to see some pictures of him. He sounds adorable!

This article explains how to post pictures.

 [article="30083"]How To Add An Image To Your Forum Post​[/article]  

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