Hi all,
Before too long we will be ready for a furrbaby to join our little family. I've always had rescue cats till now. Ours sadly died aged earlier 17 this year
I am thinking though that now I have a young family (2 yr old) I need to be more sure the cat we choose is going to be right for us in terms of personality so am wondering if a pedigree may be a better idea.
So... Is there a breed which may be idea based on the following?

Semi longhair or longhair preferred but not essential
Very laid back personality
Good with gentle children (of course depends on upbringing too)
Size, colouring unimportant
Must be able to go outdoors if he/she wishes as I cannot guarantee I can keep doors and windows shut all the time with a child around.

In your experience, would you suggest a male or female would be better suited? Would be neutered/spayed anyway.

If you can help in any other way please give me your input.

Ragdolls are very laid back, as are RagaMuffins - but most, if not all breeders of pedigrees will only sell if they know the cat will be indoor only

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Maine Coons? I love them but they are huge, my friend has one! She's an indoor only, though....x

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RIP Charcoal my shy girl 1987-2000, Patch the wanderer 1987-?, Tabby my darling fluffball 1988-2002 & Panda the rascal 1988-2008

I adore Ragdolls, Maine Coons and NFC's but I know they generally have no road sense and are too trusting. I would just worry it may escape if I had one of those breeds. You know what children are like, especially in summer in and out of the garden

i personally dont care if the cat is a BREED or not moggies are just as lovely all mine are moggies and i would never fault them i would say a moggie

Yes MC's are meant to be laid back - but watching Willow running round with the kittens right now is making me think otherwise

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Brilliant taste you have

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RagaMuffins are incredibly laid back and my lass copes with everything life throws at her, she is SO gentle so would be ideal with young children - however 0 I would be very reluctant to sell any of my kittens to an outdoors home UNLESS - it was obviously a wonderful place to be (I know Cyberfen has two Maine Coons he allows outside but he is in the middle of no-where.) OR they cat proofed the garden or had a run. When you £500 for a kitten the last thing you want is it for it to be attacked by the local jobs or feral cat, roam and get run over or lost. I don't know any RagaMuffin breeders who sell to an outside home. Fairly sure it's the same across most of the breeds.

As for other breeds - Ragdolls, Birmans (but they can huff well - mine does a lovely line in sulking) - but for me the RagaMuffin is the best.

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please look at my website - www.finesthourcats.webs.com - for gorgeous GCCF registered RagaMuffins and Selkirk Rex

I agree they are lovely. I've always had moggies. I just wonder if I am more likely to find the personality traits of a cat which would fit our lifestyle better in a certain breed. Im just looking at the options at the moment that's all

Yes that is one of the advantages of a pedigree - and the RagaMuffin is the ONLY breed that actually has it's great laid back temperament in the GCCF breed standard.

You can get some wonderful moggies and I have one of those two - but . . . you often don't know the genetics and temperament of the dad and that MAY cause a problems because you just don't know what you are getting - we had a lovely 1/2 Maine Coon kitten once - Dad the local hoodlum - god that cat was vicious!!!!! In the end she had to be re-homed to a farm as she was just that bad. Dad's bad genes won through.

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please look at my website - www.finesthourcats.webs.com - for gorgeous GCCF registered RagaMuffins and Selkirk Rex