If you’ve spent any time looking at Ragdoll cats, you’ve probably noticed that not all of them look the same. Some have icy blue eyes and sharp contrast between their dark points and pale bodies, while others have aqua or green eyes, deeper coats, or even full-body color.
This is because Ragdolls come in four main types: Traditional, Cherubim, Sepia, and Solid. They all share the same sweet temperament that makes Ragdolls famous, but their coats and eyes look very different.
The diagram above shows these differences at a glance, and in this article, we’ll explain what makes each type unique. The first half of this guide is written for anyone who just wants to understand the basics of what they’re seeing. The second half dives deeper into the genetics and terminology breeders use.
The Four Types of Ragdolls – Easy to Spot
Traditional Ragdolls
This is the classic look most people think of when they picture a Ragdoll cat. Traditional Ragdolls are born white and gradually develop darker coloring on the face, ears, paws, and tail (the “points”). Their bodies stay lighter, which makes the contrast striking. A Traditional Ragdoll will always have deep blue eyes, no matter the coat color.
Cherubim Ragdolls (formerly called Mink)
Cherubims are the “in-between” type. Unlike Traditionals, they are born with visible color instead of all white. Their coats are medium-shaded and more evenly toned, giving them a plush, sepia look. The hallmark feature of a Cherubim is the eye color — instead of blue, they usually have aqua or teal eyes, ranging from soft seafoam to bright turquoise.
Sepia Ragdolls
Sepias are the darkest and richest-shaded Ragdolls. Their coats are deep and velvety, with very little contrast between body and points. They are never blue-eyed. Instead, Sepia Ragdolls usually have gold, green, or hazel eyes that shine against their dark fur.
Solid Ragdolls
Solids are the most different in appearance. They show full-body color with no points at all, so a Solid Seal looks uniformly brown rather than pointed. Like Sepias, they usually have green or gold eyes. At first glance, they may not look like the “traditional” Ragdoll most people expect, but they are true Ragdolls with the same gentle temperament.
From Lightest to Darkest
One way to keep them straight is to think of them on a scale of shading:
Traditional → Cherubim → Sepia → Solid
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Traditionals are the lightest, with sharp contrast and blue eyes.
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Cherubims are medium, with aqua eyes and softer contrast.
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Sepias are very dark, with gold/green eyes and velvet coats.
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Solids are full-body color, the deepest shade of all.
The Breeder’s Guide: Genetics & Terminology
Now let’s look at these four types in more detail, using the proper genetic terms. Breeders often refer to these differences in terms of Siamese, Burmese, and Tonkinese colorpoint genes, since Ragdolls share the same genetic system.
The Colorpoint Gene (C Locus)
The variations come from different alleles (versions) of the C locus:
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cˢ = Siamese gene (classic pointed)
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cᵇ = Burmese gene (sepia-type)
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C (full color) = solid expression (no pointing)
The combinations of these alleles produce the four types of Ragdolls:
| Type | Genotype | Influence | Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional | cˢ/cˢ | Siamese (colorpoint) | Born white, pointed contrast, always blue eyes |
| Cherubim | cˢ/cᵇ | Siamese + Burmese (Tonkinese-like) | Born with color, medium shading, aqua eyes |
| Sepia | cᵇ/cᵇ | Burmese (sepia-type) | Very dark coat, low contrast, gold/green eyes |
| Solid | C/– | Full-color | Uniform coat, non-blue eyes, no points |
This is the same genetic system that defines Siamese (cˢ/cˢ), Burmese (cᵇ/cᵇ), and Tonkinese (cˢ/cᵇ) cats internationally. Ragdolls simply apply these same allele combinations within the breed.
Breeding Outcomes
Understanding the genetics helps predict kitten colors:
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Traditional × Traditional (cˢ/cˢ × cˢ/cˢ): all kittens will be Traditional.
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Traditional × Cherubim (cˢ/cˢ × cˢ/cᵇ): kittens may be Traditional or Cherubim.
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Cherubim × Cherubim (cˢ/cᵇ × cˢ/cᵇ): kittens can be Traditional, Cherubim, or Sepia.
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Sepia × Sepia (cᵇ/cᵇ × cᵇ/cᵇ): all kittens will be Sepia.
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Solid × Solid (C/– × C/–): all kittens will be Solid.
For breeders, it’s important to note that Cherubim matings can produce Sepias, and solids cannot produce pointed kittens unless crossed with a cat carrying cˢ or cᵇ.
Classification in TICA
In 2024, TICA formally recognized the Cherubim division within the Ragdoll breed, bringing these cats out of “variant” status. This means:
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Traditional (cˢ/cˢ): registered as Ragdolls with blue eyes.
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Cherubim, Sepia, and Solid: registered as Cherubim within the Ragdoll breed group.
This recognition brought Ragdolls in line with international terminology and acknowledged their genetic diversity.