Maine Coon Cat Breed

The Maine Coon is one of the oldest varieties of cat known in the United states and, although no early records were kept, it is thought that they originated through cross-matings of the local cats with those that had arrived on sailing ships. Many of the latter cats were of exotic appearance and unusual-looking, compared with most cats in the States at the time so much so that sailors and travelers brought them home as pets, although some probably escaped from ships and remained on land when the ships sailed. The resident cats were short-coated, descendants of those which had arrived with the early settlers, but the newcomers in many cases had long fur. There were references to a large number of splendid Brown Tabbies with long coats to be found on the Maine coast as early as 1861.

During the early cat shows in the 19th century, varying colors were known, but many had fur and coloring resembling that of the racoon, and before it was realized that it was biologicaly impossible, many thought that the cats were the result of crossing cats with racoons, hence the name. Another equally romantic legend about the origins of the Maine Coon is that the first Maine Coons were sent over by Marie Antoinette, the ill-fated queen of France, during the French Revolution. However, it is most likely that the Maine Coon came from early Angora or Norwegian Forest Cats brought in by sailors and mated with local shorthairs.

A striking feature of the Maine Coon is its size; it is larger than most cats, and weighs up to 20 pounds, while females are typically smaller. It is a strong sturdy animal with a silky flowing coat of soft texture which has a full ruff of hair around the neck. and its muscular body stands on long legs. The tail is long, bushy, and tapering at the end, with no kinks. The ears are large, tallish and invariably tufted. Its most expressive eyes are large and round, the color being green or in keeping with the coat color.

Quiet, affectionate and highly intelligent cats, they are much liked as pets, particularly as, having little or no undercoat, the fur is very easy to groom. The kittens are in steady demand, but as they usually have 1 litter a year, there may be a waiting list. Although Maine Coons may not reach full size until they are 3 to 4 years old, it is unwise to expect sexual maturity to occur any later than it does in other cat breeds. You should wait until the female is 12-15 months old before mating her, but both sexes can be neutered from 5 months f age.

Fur Colors and Patterns

Any fur color or coat pattern is allowed. The brown tabby color is considered one of the classic Maine Coon varieties; it is also known as "Mackerel." Coat color may vary widely within a single litter.

Known health problems in Maine Coon cats include hip dysplasia, an inherited deformity of the hip joint. The ball on the femur (thigh bone) is misshapen to some degree, and the socket on the pelvis is usually more shallow than normal. It can occur in one or both hips, and in severe cases the cat is very lame by the time it is an adult. Diagnosis is by X-ray. Severe cases need an operation to remove the affected area of the bone. Cardiomyopathy is a condition caused by malfunctioning heart muscle. It may be restricted to a minor mulfunction of the heart valves, producing a murmur when the heart is listened to with a stethoscope, or in severe cases heart failure. Treatment with diuretic and cardiac medications may help in early stages, but severe cases of cardiomyopathy will eventually prove fatal.

Most Maine Coons are well balanced between self-sufficiency and dependence on people. They love company but tend to sit on the chair next to you rather than right on your lap. They want to know what you are up to in the next room and will follow you to find out, but they rarely demand attention. They vocalize by making a unique, quiet "chirping" sound that many people consider very pleasant.

Unlike many cats, Maine Coons enjoy simple retrieving tricks and can be taught to walk on a leash. They generally live to a ripe age and remain easygoing and playful. Their confident personality ensures that they usually get along well with other cats as well as with dogs and children. This no-fuss temperament, combined with their physical robustness, seems to make them more popular with men than any other breed of cat.

Maine Coon Breeders

If you would like to be listed here as an Maine Coon Breeder or a member of an Maine Coon rescue organization, please send us and email