AUTHOR(S)<\/p>\n
The sections on History, Characteristics, Description, Breed
\nAssociations, and the first paragraph of References is courtesy of the
\nMaine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association from their flyer “The
\nMaine Coon – America’s Native Longhair”.<\/p>\n
Other Authors and editors: Laura Cunningham, Jean Marie Diaz,
\nJoAnne Genovese, Valerie Johnston, Dave Libershal, Orca Starbuck,
\nBetsy Tinney, and Eric Williams.<\/p>\n
Originally written: May 1994
\nLast modified:<\/p>\n
HISTORY<\/p>\n
One of the oldest natural breeds in North American, the Maine Coon is
\ngenerally regarded as a native of the state of Maine (in fact, the
\nMaine Coon is the official Maine State Cat). A number of attractive
\nlegends surround its origin. A wide-spread (though biologically
\nimpossible) belief is that it originated from matings between
\nsemi-wild, domestic cats and raccoons. This myth, bolstered by the
\nbushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby)
\nled to the adoption of the name ‘Maine Coon.’ (Originally, only brown
\ntabbies were called ‘Maine Coon Cats;’ cats of other colors were
\nreferred to as ‘Maine Shags.’) Another popular theory is that the
\nMaine sprang from the six pet cats which Marie Antoinette sent to
\nWiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during
\nthe French Revolution. Most breeders today believe that the breed
\noriginated in matings between preexisting shorthaired domestic cats
\nand overseas longhairs (perhaps Angora types introduced by New England
\nseaman, or longhairs brought to America by the Vikings).<\/p>\n
First recorded in cat literature in 1861 with a mention of a black and
\nwhite cat named ‘Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines,’ Maine Coons were
\npopular competitors at early cat shows in Boston and New York. A
\nbrown tabby female named ‘Cosie’ won Best Cat at the 1895 Madison
\nSquare Garden Show.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, their popularity as show cats declined with the arrival
\nin 1900 of the more flamboyant Persians. Although the Maine Coon
\nremained a favorite cat in New England, the breed did not begin to
\nregain its former widespread popularity until the 1950’s when more and
\nmore cat fanciers began to take notice of them, show them, and record
\ntheir pedigrees. In 1968, six breeders formed the Maine Coon Breeders
\nand Fanciers Association (MCBFA) to preserve and protect the breed.
\nToday, MCBFA membership numbers over 1000 fanciers and 200 breeders.
\nBy 1980, all registries had recognized the Maine Coon, and it was well
\non its way to regaining its former glory.<\/p>\n
Maine Coons were well established more than a century ago as a hardy,
\nhandsome breed of domestic cat, well equipped to survive the hostile
\nNew England winters. Nature is not soft-hearted. It selects the
\nbiggest, the brightest, the best fighters, and the best hunters to
\nbreed successive generations. Since planned breedings of Maine Coons
\nare relatively recent, these cats still have their strong, natural
\nqualities. Maine Coons are basically healthy, disease-resistant,
\nrugged cats. Interestingly, the breed closest to the Maine Coon is
\nthe Norwegian Forest Cat which, although geographically distant,
\nevolved in much the same climate, and lends credence to the theory
\nthat some of the cats responsible for developing the Maine Coon were
\nbrought over by the Vikings.<\/p>\n
CHARACTERISTICS<\/p>\n
Everything about the Maine Coon points to its adaptation to a harsh
\nclimate. Its glossy coat, heavy and water-resistant, is like that of
\nno other breed, and must be felt to be appreciated. It is longer on
\nthe ruff, stomach and britches to protect against wet and snow, and
\nshorter on the back and neck to guard against tangling in the
\nunderbrush. The coat falls smoothly, and is almost maintenance-free
\n— a weekly combing is all that is usually required to keep it in top
\ncondition. The long, bushy tail which the cat wraps around himself
\nwhen he curls up to sleep can protect him from cold winters. His ears
\nare more heavily furred (both inside and on the tips) than many breeds
\nfor protection from the cold, and have a large range of movement.
\nBig, round, tufted feet serve as ‘snow shoes.’ Their large eyes and
\nears are also survival traits, serving as they do increase sight and
\nhearing. The relatively long, square muzzle facilitates grasping prey
\nand lapping water from streams and puddles.<\/p>\n
Although the Yankee myth of 30-pound cats is just that, a myth (unless
\nthe cat is grossly overweight!), these are indeed tall, muscular,
\nbig-boned cats; males commonly reach 13 to 18 pounds, with females
\nnormally weighing about 9 to 12 pounds. Add to that two or dthree
\ninches of winter coat, and people will swear that they’re looking at
\none big cat.<\/p>\n
Maine Coons develop slowly, and don’t achieve their full size until
\nthey are three to five years old. Their dispositions remain kittenish
\nthroughout their lives; they are big, gentle, good-natured goofs.
\nEven their voices set them apart from other cats; they have a
\ndistinctive, chirping trill which they use for everything from
\ncourting to cajoling their people into playing with them. (Maine Coons
\nlove to play, and most will joyfully retrieve small items.) They
\nrarely meow, and when they do, that soft, tiny voice doesn’t fit their
\nsize!<\/p>\n
TEMPERAMENT<\/p>\n
While Maine Coons are highly people-oriented cats, they are not
\noverly-dependent. They do not constantly pester you for attention,
\nbut prefer to “hang out” with their owners, investigating whatever
\nactivity you’re involved in and “helping” when they can. They are
\nnot, as a general rule, known as “lap cats” but as with any
\npersonality trait there are a few Maine Coons that prefer laps. Most
\nMaine Coons will stay close by, probably occupying the chair next to
\nyours instead. Maines will follow you from room to room and wait
\noutside a closed door for you to emerge. A Maine Coon will be your
\ncompanion, your buddy, your pal, but hardly ever your baby.<\/p>\n
Maine Coons are relaxed and easy-going in just about everything they
\ndo. The males tend to be the clowns while the females retain more
\ndignity, but both remain playful throughout their lives. They
\ngenerally get along well with kids and dogs, as well as other cats.
\nThey are not as vertically-oriented as some other breeds, prefering to
\nchase objects on the ground and grasping them in their large paws —
\nno doubt instincts developed as professional mousers. Many Maine
\nCoons will play “fetch” with their owners.<\/p>\n
DESCRIPTION<\/p>\n
The important features of the Maine Coon are the head and body shape,
\nand the texture and ‘shag’ of the coat. The head is slightly longer
\nthan it is wide, presenting a gently concave profile with high
\ncheekbones and ears that are large, wide at the base, moderately
\npointed, and well tufted inside. They are set well up on the head,
\napproximately an ear’s width apart. Lynx-like tufting on the top of
\nthe ears is desirable. The neck should be medium-long, the torso long,
\nand the chest broad. The tail should be at least as long as the torso.
\nOne of their most distinctive features is their eyes, which are large,
\nround, expressive, and set a a slightly oblique angle. Overall, the
\nMaine Coon should present the appearance of a well-balanced,
\nrectangular cat.<\/p>\n
Throughout their history there has been no restriction on the patterns
\nand colors acceptable, with the exception of the pointed Siamese
\npattern. As a result, a wide range of colors and patterns are bred.
\nEye colors for all coat colors range through green, gold, and
\ngreen-gold. Blue eyes and odd eyes, (one blue and one gold eye) are
\npermissible in white cats. There is no requirement in the Maine Coon
\nStandard of Perfection for particular combinations of coat color and
\neye color.<\/p>\n
Many people consider Maine Coons the perfect domestic pets, with their
\nclown-like personalities, affectionate natures, amusing habits and
\ntricks, willingness to ‘help’ with any activity, and easily groomed
\ncoats. They make excellent companions for large, active families that
\nalso enjoy having dogs and other animals around. Their hardiness and
\nease of kittening make them a satisfying first breed for the novice
\nbreeder. For owners wishing to show, the Maine Coon has reclaimed its
\noriginal glory in the show ring. Welcome a Maine Coon into your home,
\nand you will join the thousands who sing the praises of this handsome
\nand lovable cat!<\/p>\n
BREED ASSOCIATION<\/p>\n
If you would like to join the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers
\nAssociation and receive the quarterly magazine, The Scratch Sheet,
\nplease send dues of $10.00 to the MCBFA Treasurer, Sue Servies, P.O.
\nBox 791, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.<\/p>\n
If you are actively breeding Maine Coons, you may join the Breeder
\nDivision for $25.00 (includes subscription to The Scratch Sheet and a
\ncopy of MCBFA’s book on caring for and breeding your Maine Coon cats).
\nFor information, please contact the Provisional Breeder Member
\nSecretary, Darlene Ruhle, at 2721 Aspen Circle, Norman, OK 73072;
\n405-447-8907.<\/p>\n
REFERENCES<\/p>\n
MCBFA also publishes two excellent books relating to the Maine Coon:
\nCaring For, Breeding, and Showing Your Maine Coon Cat and Genetics For
\nThe Maine Coon Cat Breeder. These books are available for $7.00 each
\n(includes shipping and handling) from the editor, Trish Simpson, 13283
\nDeron Avenue, San Diego, CA 92129. (Please make check or money order
\nin U.S. funds payable to MCBFA.)<\/p>\n
The best book about Maine Coons is probably THAT YANKEE CAT, THE MAINE
\nCOON by Marilis Hornidge. It is available from The Harpswell Press,
\n132 Water Street, Gardiner, Maine 04345. The cost is about $12.95 plus
\nshipping if ordered from the publisher. ISBN: 0-88448-088-7. Lots of
\nbreed stories and history, good sections on genetics and home medical
\ncare. The pictures are plentiful.<\/p>\n
The other Maine Coon book is THIS IS THE MAINE COON CAT by Sharyn P.
\nBass. Contact T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 211 West Sylvania Ave.,
\nNeptune City, NJ 07753. ISBN 0-87666-867-8. It has a 1983 copyright.
\nThis book is more oriented to showing and breeding Maine Coons. Less
\nhistory than in the other book but some color pictures. Show
\ninformation is geared towards CFA and generally useful but some stuff
\nis out of date. Good sections on pet care and medical advice. A good
\nchapter on birthing but no genetics.<\/p>\n
CARE AND TRAINING<\/p>\n
Most breeders recommend a high-quality dry food. Most cats can free
\nfeed without becoming overweight. Middle-aged cats (5-10) are most
\nlikely to have weight problems which can usually be controlled by
\nswitching to a low-calorie food. Many Maine Coons love water. Keep a
\ngood supply of clean, fresh water available at all times.<\/p>\n
Most Maine Coons can be trained to accept a leash. Maine Coons are
\ncreatures of habit and they train easily if they associate the
\nactivity with something they want (they train humans easily too!).<\/p>\n
SPECIAL MEDICAL PROBLEMS<\/p>\n
Individuals within any breed are fairly closely related, and have
\nmany characteristics in common. This includes genetic strengths
\nand weaknesses. Certain genetic health disorders may be more or
\nless of a problem in a particular breed than in other breeds. For
\nexample, a breed may have a slightly higher incidence of gum disease
\nthan the cat population as a whole, but have a lower incidence of
\nheart disease or liver disease.<\/p>\n
Genetic problems generally only affect a tiny minority of the breed
\nas a whole, but since they can be eradicated by careful screening,
\nmost reputable breeders try to track such problems, both in their
\nbreeding stock and the kittens they produce. By working with a
\nresponsible breeder who will speak openly about health issues, you
\nare encouraging sound breeding practices.<\/p>\n
In the Maine Coon, the most common inherited health problems are hip
\ndysplasia, which can produce lameness in a severely affected cat, and
\ncardiomyopathy, which can produce anything from a minor heart murmur to
\nsevere heart trouble. Any breeder you talk to should be willing to
\ndiscuss whether they’ve had any problems with these diseases in their
\nbreeding stock, or in kittens they’ve produced; how much screening
\nthey’re doing, and why.<\/p>\n
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS<\/p>\n
“How big do they get?”<\/p>\n
A full-grown female typically weighs between 9-12 pounds and males
\ntend to be in the 13 to 18 pound range.<\/p>\n
“Do they need much grooming?”<\/p>\n
Maine Coons do not need much grooming and a weekly combing is all
\nthat is usually required to keep the coat in top condition.<\/p>\n
“But I thought Maine Coons had extra toes…?”<\/p>\n
Some “original” Maine Coons may have been polydactls (had extra toes).
\nHowever, modern purebred Maine Coons are rarely, if ever, polydactlys.
\nThis is because all cat associations automatically disqualify
\npolydactyls from competition in the purebred classes. Because of this,
\nmost polydactyls were culled from the Maine Coon breed decades
\nago. Since the polydactyl gene is dominant, you can’t get a polydactyl
\nkitten unless at least one of the parents is also a polydactyl.<\/p>\n
“I think my cat is part Maine Coon. How do I tell?”<\/p>\n
The Maine Coon is America’s native longhair cat; it evolved naturally
\nin response to the North American climate. Your cat’s ancestors are
\nprobably similar to the cats that ended up becoming the foundation of
\nthe Maine Coon breed.<\/p>\n
“Is that a Maine Coon? I thought all Maine Coons were brown.”<\/p>\n
Maine Coons come in a wide variety of color combinations. The only
\ncolors you won’t find are the Siamese-type colors.<\/p>\n
RECOGNIZED<\/p>\n
American Cat Association (ACA)
\nAmerican Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA)
\nCanadian Cat Association (CCA)
\nCat Fanciers’ Association (CFA)
\nCat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF)
\nDeutsche Rassekatzen Union (DRU)
\nGoverning Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)
\nThe International Cat Association (TICA)<\/p>\n
BREED STANDARDS<\/p>\n
TICA CFA<\/p>\n
Head . . . . . . . . . . 30pts Head . . . . . . . . . . 30pts
\n Shape . . . . . . 10 Shape . . . . . . 15
\n Muzzle & Chin . . 5 Ears . . . . . . 10
\n Profile . . . . . 3 Eyes . . . . . . 5
\n Cheek bones . . . 2<\/p>\n
Eyes . . . . . . . . . . 5pts
\n Size & shape . . . 3
\n Placement . . . . 2<\/p>\n
Ears . . . . . . . . . . 10pts
\n Size & shape . . . . 5
\n Placement . . . . . 3
\n Furnishing\/Lynx tips 2<\/p>\n
Body . . . . . . . . . . 20pts Body . . . . . . . . . . 20pts
\n Size & shape . . . 10 Shape . . . . . . 20
\n Boning . . . . . . 5 Neck . . . . . . . 5
\n Musculature . . . 3 Legs & Feet . . . 5
\n Neck . . . . . . . 2 Tail . . . . . . . 5<\/p>\n
Legs & Feet . . . . . . 10pts<\/p>\n
Tail . . . . . . . . . . 10pts<\/p>\n
Coat . . . . . . . . . . 20pts Coat . . . . . . . . . . 20pts
\n Length . . . . . . 10
\n Texture . . . . . 8
\n Density . . . . . 2<\/p>\n
Color . . . . . . . . . 5pts Color . . . . . . . . . 15pts
\n Body Color . . . . 10
\n Eye Color . . . . 5<\/p>\n
ACFA<\/p>\n
Head . . . . . . . . . . 35 pts
\n Shape . . . . . . 10
\n Profile . . . . . 10
\n Ears . . . . . . . 10
\n Eyes . . . . . . . 5<\/p>\n
Body . . . . . . . . . . 35 pts
\n Shape . . . . . . 15
\n Legs\/Feet . . . . 10
\n Tail . . . . . . . 10<\/p>\n
Coat . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts
\n Length . . . . . . 10
\n Texture . . . . . 10<\/p>\n
Coat Color . . . . . . . 10 pts<\/p>\n
Penalize\/Disqualify: short or overall even coat, light or delicate
\nboning, undershot chin, buttons, lockets, or spots, kinked tail, and
\nextra toes.<\/p>\n
BREEDERS<\/p>\n
There are many Maine Coon breeders throughout the U.S. and Canada. The
\nbreeders sections of Cats and Cat Fancy magazines list many breeders.
\nSome breeders have waiting lists for their kittens and may refer you
\nto another breeder if they are not able to help you. Breeders who are
\nmembers of the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association agree to a
\nspecific code of breeder ethics. The MCBFA maintains a list of
\nbreeder members.<\/p>\n
