+- The International Ragdoll Cat Guide and Forum (https://ragdollcatguide.ca)
+-- Forum: Ragdoll Cat Forums (https://ragdollcatguide.ca/forumdisplay.php?fid=8)
+--- Forum: Ragdoll Cat Discussion (https://ragdollcatguide.ca/forumdisplay.php?fid=11)
+--- Thread: Blue Eyed White Ragdolls (/showthread.php?tid=416)
Blue Eyed White Ragdolls - admin - 04-17-2020
Question for breeders: I know that BEW's aren't accepted in the breed standard but I also seem to recall that some reputable breeders do breed for them. I believe that they are controversial due to the high ratio of deafness but am looking for a little more information on them please.
RE: Blue Eyed White Ragdolls - JanH - 04-17-2020
They are not accepted, but have been bred by responsible breeders (who have not pushed for acceptance). Based on information from a major feline geneticist deafness was not associated with the White Spotting Gene (the source of white in Ragdolls, probably because it did not block all color, particularly on the ears). However, BEWs are understood to use only the WSG, they were not expected to have a deafness problem, but sadly turned out to have the problem. In addition in terms of acceptance, BSWs are considered solids, even though they have two pointed genes. (Cats are designated based on phenotype (looks) rather than genotype (genetics). This means the WSG could not be added to a pointed breed without bringing in all "other" solids too under current registration rules.
As I understand it, the deafness risk might not be considered "high," just "higher." Deafness risk is at single digit percentages generally in cats and whiteness about doubles that, but still to single digit percentages. The cat fancy generally does not accept variants that carry that kind of risk.
RE: Blue Eyed White Ragdolls - JanH - 04-19-2020
The genotype of other solids would not be pointed. So this irrelevant technicality in terms of breeding within the breed standard does not apply to other solids.