Introducing the Maine Coon Cat:

Myhts, legend and lore surround the Maine Coon Cat. Some are amusing, some are fantastic flights of fantasy and some are merely plausible. They certainly provide good material for conversation. Books and articles dealing with these aspects of the Maine Coon Cat have been well received as people never seem to tire of the subject and are always eager to know more about this wonderful breed.

The Maine Coon Cat is one of the oldest natural breeds found in Norht America, and is generally thought of as having originated in the state of Maine. There are many interesting legends surrounding the origon of this wonderful cat. One of more popular tales, and undoubtedly responsible for its name, is that the Maine Coon originated from chance matings between semi- wild domestic cats and raccoons.

Though this is genetically impossible, this myth still persists even today. The cat's bushy tail and the raccoon-like coloring seen in tabby Maine Coons, along with its ability to pick up food with its paws and its general fascination with water, has led to the evolution of the name Maine Coon.

A romantic theory as to the origin of Maine Coon is that Marie Antoinette, Queen of France smuggled all her royal treasures on to a ship including her six longhaired cats to be shipped to Wiscasset, Maine during the French Revolution and she was to follow. A seafaring man named Samuel Clough was one of the principals in the plot to smuggle Marie Antoinette. Her royal treasures and cats arrived in Maine but unfortunately Marie Antoinette did not. So her six loving cats became part of the Clough household, and her cats became part of the foundation stock of the Maine Coon breed.

Another theory that is popular is the breeding of a domestic house cat with a small wild cat (bobcat or a lynx). This is one of the reasons many people feel the Maine Coon Cat looks similar to the lynx or bobcat. Some think the domestic cat was brought to America by the colonist, or the Norwegian Vikings . Practically speaking, I think during the entire period of colonization, ships came to the northeastern coast of America with cargos and crews from all over the world, and with then,their cats. Cats are seamen's friend, and there were almost always cats aboard trading vessels. Like their human friends, they enjoyed going ashore and striking acquaintanceships. It was a combination of these various cats on the ships plus the harsh climate and terrain, the thinking goes, that eventually resulted in a breed that could be domesticated and also made suitable to its environement by good old natural selection. What it all adds up to is that The Maine Coon is a natural breed of cat, or at least the original ones were.

After nature, however, comes man. Nature select traits, if the Darwinian therory holds true at all, that are necessary for survival; man selects traits he finds appealling for reasons aesthetic or practical.

At this point, however, to each his own theory of how the cat got there, fact or fancy. The only ones who know for sure are the Maine Coon, and the Great Patern Maker in the sky.

Maine Coon Cats were definitely established as a breed more than a century ago. They were first found in cat literature in 1861 with mention of a black and white Maun Coon known as Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines. Maine Coons were popular in early cat shows in Boston and New York with a female tabby named Cosie winning Best Cat in Show at the 1895 Madison Square Garden Show. Unfortunately, their popularity as show cats waned in the early 1900's with the introduction of the more exotic Persian and Turkish Angora Cats from England. Nevertheless, Maine Coons continued to be treasured household pets (especially in the northeastern United States) .Re- established by devoted breeders in the 1970's and by 1980 was accepted by all cat associations for championship status. Abroad United States was Germany the first country to see the lovely Maine Coon in 1978, and England in 1984.

The Maine Coon Cat is the native American longhaired cat and was recognized as a specific breed in Maine where they were held in high regard for their mousing talents. Through nature's own breeding program, this breed has developed into a sturdy cat ideally suited to the harsh winters and varied seasons of the region. The Maine Coon Cat is well known for its loving nature, kindly disposition and great intelligence. Maine Coon cats develop slowly, and may not achieve their full size until they are around 4 years of age.

The Maine Coon cat is an excellent example of environmental adaption. The coat of this beautiful cat is glissy and water-resistant. It is long and flowing, relatively heavy and shaggy, shorter on the shoulders to guard against tangling in underbrush and longer on the belly and britches to protect it from the cold damp ground. The cat's tail is very long and plume like which it uses to wrap around itself as protection from the cold. The tail should be equal in lenght to the body. Big round tufted feet serve as "now shoes". The ears are very large and provide approximately a 320 degree rotation. Additionally, the ears are more heavily furred inside and on the tip, not only to keep the ears warm, but also acts as "antenna" to enable its hearing to be more acute. The relatively long square muzzle helps to grasp prey and lap water from streams and ponds. Maine Coons are large long cats standing relatively high on their legs, which allow them to redily jump over fallen tree boughs and small streams. All together, the Maine Coon presents a easy grooming.

The Maine Coon cat love when you talk to them and they respond to their names. Their beautiful , expressive eyes seem to speak to you and follow your every movement. They have a passion for the touch--rolling on their backs with pleasure at even a glimpse of the grooming comb or brush.

Many people consider the Maine Coon the perfect domestic pet. Their disposition remains kittenish throughout their lives. Although they are gentle good-natured giants, their tiny voices belie their size; they use a distinctive chirp or trill for everything from courting to cajoling. Maine Coons have a clown-like personality, enjoying play well into old age, yet they rarely are climbers or hyperactive. They love their people and are inclined to be where their owner is, following him/her from room to room. They make excellent family companions, enjoying children and dogs. They have extremely affectionate natures, are generally very tolerant and are easily groomed. Welcome a Maine Coon into your home and you will join the thousands who sing the praises of this beautiful and lovable cat.

The Maine Coon Cat has many similarities to, and differences from the Siberian Cat and the Norwegian Forest Cat. All of these breeds come form the same geographic portion of the global. They may have been even descended from the same ancestors, but developed according to their different habitats.

Maine Coons: are rectangular because of their long bodies, tail,legs,head, and tall ears.
Norwegian Cats: have a triangular head, slanted eyes and pointed ears.
Siberian Cats: have a more rounded head and ears, round eyes and rounded barrelshaped torso.

GENERAL: Originally a working cat, the Maine Coon is solid, rugged, and can endure a harsh climate. A distinctive characteristic is its smooth,shaggy coat. A well proportioned and balanced appearance with no part of the cat being exaggerated. With an essentially amiable disposition, it has adapted to varied environments.

HEAD SHAPE: medium in width and medium long in lenght with a squareness to the muzzle. Allowance should be made for broadening in older studs. Cheekbones high. Chin firm and in line with nose and upper lip. Nose medium long in length; slight concavity when viewed in profile.

EARS: The ears set relatively high on the head, wide at base, approximately an ear's width apart. Lynx-like tufting on the end of the ears as well as tufting inside the ear is desirable.

EYES: A Maine Coon eyes are expressive and wide set. The eyes have a slightly oblique setting with a slant toward the outer base of the ear. The eye color range through green, gold, and green-gold. White Maine Coons can be blue eyed or odd eyed.

NECK: Medium long.

BODY SHAPE: Muskular, broad-chested. Size medium to large. Females generally are smaller than males. The body should be long with all parts in proportion to create a well-balanced rectangular appearance with no part of the anatomy being so exaggerated as to foster weakness. Allowance should be made for slow maturation.

LEGS and FEET: legs substantial, wide set,of medium length, and in proportion to the body. Forelegs straight . Back legs are straight when viewed from behind. Paws large, round, well-tufted. Five toes in front; four in back.

TAIL: long , wide at base, and tapering. Fur long and flowing.

COAT: heavy and shaggy; shorter on the shoulders and longer on the stomach and britches. Frontal ruff desirable. Texture silky with coat falling smoothly.

PENALIZE: a coat that is short or overall even.

DISQUALIFY: delicate bone structure. Undershot chin. Crossed eyes. Kinked tail. Incorrect numbers of toes. White buttoms, white lockets, or white spots. Cats showing evidence of hybrization resulting in the colors chocolate, lavender, the Himalayan pattern; or unpatterned agouti on the body (i.e. Abbyssinian type ticked tabby).