Compare
Ragdoll vs Russian Blue
A large, floppy, affectionate semi-longhair that clings against a medium, short-coated, reserved cat that keeps its own counsel.
Verdict
Both are quiet, gentle indoor cats, but they differ in affection, size and coat. The Ragdoll is large, scores 5 for affection, children and other pets, and wants to be near you, with a silky coat that needs combing twice a week. The Russian Blue is medium and short-coated, shy with strangers, more independent and sharper-minded. Choose the Ragdoll for a family home and a soft lap companion. Choose the Russian Blue for a quiet household, a regular routine and a cat that copes with a workday alone.
Choose the Ragdoll if
- You have young children or other pets; it scores 5 for both against 3.
- You want the more affectionate cat, scoring 5 against 4.
- You want a large cat of 8-20 lb that relaxes when held.
- You will comb a semi-long coat about twice a week.
Choose the Russian Blue if
- You are out for a workday; it scores 4 for independence against 2.
- You want a short, plush coat; it scores 2 for grooming against 3.
- You want the cleverer cat, scoring 5 for intelligence against 3.
- You live in a small flat; it scores 5 for apartments against 4.
Where they are alike
Both score 1 for voice and keep to a calm routine, and both are well suited to an indoor life. Each bonds closely with its household and prefers a quiet home.
Side by side
| Ragdoll | Russian Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Riverside, California, United States | Arkhangelsk region, Russia |
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Typical weight | Females 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males 12-20 lb (5.4-9.1 kg) or more | About 5-12 lb (2.3-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | Recent UK data put the median near 12 to 13 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Long | Short |
| Coat | Soft, silky, semi-long coat made mostly of guard hairs, with little undercoat | Short, dense, plush double coat; the guard hairs have silver tips |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 2000 | — |
| How common | Very common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 2 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 2 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 5 | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 5 | 3 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 4 |
| Trainability | 3 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Ragdoll's coat has little undercoat and sheds moderately, but people who react to cats usually react to this breed too. | — |
| Suits | A family or a household with other pets that wants a large, placid, affectionate indoor cat and will comb the coat twice a week. | A quiet household or a single person who wants a gentle, loyal, clever cat and keeps to a regular routine. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants an active, climbing cat, a cat that copes with long hours alone, or a breed with no known heart risk. | A noisy house with many visitors, or anyone who wants a cat that greets every guest. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026