A Ragdoll Snowshoe cat breed is a fairly new breed of cat. This is obviously not a purebred cat, but rather a mix of two incredibly beautiful cat breeds.
Thanks to Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty (the developer of the Snowshoe cat breed) and Ann Baker (the developer of the Ragdoll cat breed), we now have three different cat breeds, all of which have great personality traits.
Both the Ragdoll and Snowshoe cat breeds make awesome pets, so let’s see what I have discovered about them and what are their main differences.
1. Coat Patterns & Colors
A Ragdoll cat breed is a type of cat that is best known for its blue eyes and colorpoint fur. This breed was named the most popular in 2020 and 2019, by the cat fanciers association.
Their coats can be calico, colorpoint, or bi-color. Colorpoint coats include spots around the eyes, tail, and ears, and sometimes the cat’s limbs or stomach.
If a ragdoll cat is bi-color, it is similar but with a color pattern on its face that resembles an inverted letter V. Lynx point ragdoll cats have a look that is almost like a colorpoint pattern, but they have additional tabby marks on the face.
Mitted ragdolls also have similar coats to colorpoint patterns, but they have light-colored spots on or near their paws, usually white paws in this case, which makes them look like they have mittens on.
The color of their fur can vary; it can be a mixture of different colors such as white, black, gray/blue, beige, lavender, red, chocolate, lilac, and silver.
Ragdolls are beautiful long-haired cats with soft coats, they also do not have undercoats so they do not shed as other long-haired cat breeds. Still, they are not hypoallergenic.
The snowshoe cat is a mix breed that got the best genes from both of its ancestors: the Siamese cat and the American Shorthair. Snowshoe cats have beautiful looks and a lovely personality combined into a unique cat breed.
The name itself tells you the most recognizable thing about Snowshoe cats – their white feet. This breed is medium-sized, with a short coat in a color point pattern.
The colors can vary but most of the body is usually lighter in color and then color points are darker. Possible colors include brown, sable, cinnamon, beige/cream, lilac, orange, gray, black, lavender, and fawn.
2. Personality Traits
Ragdoll cats are affectionate, sociable, gentle, and patient. This cat breed is great for families as they are friendly towards other pets and children.
If you pay attention to them, they will reward you with the best cuddle time ever. Ragdolls are loyal and will bond with their owners and love them unconditionally.
Snowshoe cats are very affectionate towards their owners, they are also really good with kids and other pets, so they are great for families. They are sociable, friendly, playful, very active, and smart.
They are friendly towards anyone; other pets, seniors, children, strangers… They make great lap cats and are devoted and loyal companions.
Ragdolls are extremely playful, but also calm. They are easy to train and very docile. They love to cuddle and are great lap cats. They will stay on your lap for as long as they can, so watch out if you have some business to tend to!
Ragdolls are incredibly intelligent. They are not demanding but they do love and appreciate the attention and care they get from their owners.
They are not very vocal, maybe if they are hungry or they want their cuddle time, they might softly meow to let you know.
Snowshoe cats are active and easily trained, and they can be vocal like their Siamese ancestors or they might be quiet like an American shorthair cat.
Snowshoe cats can have various personality types. Your pet may grow up into a vocal, active, slightly demanding cat that loves to do tricks and play. Or they might grow up to be a more calm and quiet cat.
Whichever personality a snowshoe develops, they will definitely develop a strong bond with you.
3. Size & Lifespan
Ragdolls are big; their height ranges from 8 to 12 inches, and their weight from 9 to 20 pounds. Their life expectancy is from 13 to 20 years.
The life expectancy of a Snowshoe cat is 14 to 20 years. Their height ranges from 8 to 14 inches, and weight from 7 to 15 pounds.
4. Eye Shape & Color
Ragdoll cats are known for their large, oval-shaped eyes that are almost always a striking shade of blue.
This trait is a hallmark of the breed and contributes to their gentle, soulful expression. Their blue eyes come in varying intensities, from light sky blue to deep sapphire tones.
Snowshoe cats, on the other hand, often have medium to large, walnut-shaped eyes. While blue eyes are common due to their Siamese ancestry, the intensity of the blue can vary significantly.
In some cases, Snowshoes may have eyes that lean towards a softer, aqua-like hue, making them appear more subtle compared to the vivid blues of the Ragdoll.
5. Grooming Needs
Ragdoll cats require regular grooming due to their long, silky coats. They don’t have an undercoat, which makes them less prone to matting than other long-haired breeds.
However, weekly brushing is essential to keep their fur smooth and tangle-free. Regular grooming also helps reduce shedding and keeps them looking their best.
Snowshoe cats have short, dense coats that are relatively low-maintenance. They only require occasional brushing to remove loose hair and distribute natural oils for a shiny coat.
Snowshoe’s grooming needs are minimal compared to Ragdolls, making them a great choice for owners who prefer a lower-maintenance pet.