Maine Coon Cat Breed Description

Active: Maine Coon cats are moderately active. They enjoy being playful and interacting with the whole family but they also enjoy showing affection and cuddling up with the ones they love.

Size: The Maine Coon is a large, robust cat that ranges in size from 9 to 18 pounds.

Characteristics: The body of the Maine Coon is rectangular, muscular and solid with a broad chest.

Temperament: Maine Coon cats are lovable, adaptable, sweet-natured, affectionate and lively cats. There is a reason it is often ranked as one of the most popular breeds among fanciers. They are incredibly social and love to interact with their family. They can be wary of strangers but will eventually warm to them. They do well in families with children and other pets and are very interactive. Intelligent and playful, they love to learn new games like walking on a leash or playing fetch. Additionally, they are quite verbal and love to have a conversation with their family.

Care: While Maine Coons certainly have a shaggy and long coat, they are designed to weather the storm. Weekly brushing or combing will keep their coat looking lovely and help prevent hairballs. Regular ear cleaning and nail trimming will help your Maine Coon look its absolute best. It is also important to brush your cats teeth regularly to help them maintain fresh breath and prevent periodontal disease.

Coat: The Maine Coon is a large, hardy breed of cat. Their body and fur are designed to handle harsh weather and working life on the farm. They have medium-width heads that are slightly longer than it is wide with large, soulful eyes that will mesmerize anyone. They have a long, fluffy and flowing tail that waves hello to everyone.

Origin: The Maine Coon cat breed history, like some other cat breed histories, is a little cloudy and ambiguous. We know that they are indigenous to America and have been here since before colonial days. There have been many stories surrounding the origins of the Maine Coon but the most popular story is also the reason for its name. The story goes that a semi-wild, domestic cat mated with a raccoon and that is how the cat got its wild look and bushy tail. Of course, this theory is scientifically and genetically impossible but, nevertheless this is how the Maine Coon got its name. Another tale is that the Maine Coon came about as a result of a bobcat and a domestic cat mating. Many of the stories are amusing but highly unlikely. The most commonly held belief is that they are a result of shorthair domestic cats and oversea longhairs mating. The breed has been a longtime favorite among fanciers for its unique appearance and exceptional personality.

Maine Coons competed at some of the earliest cat shows in the 1800s. Maine Coon was first mentioned in print in 1861 when a black and white cat named Captain Jenks of the Marines was discussed. Maine Coon cats grew in popularity at cat shows and the 1903 book The Book of the Cat mentioned that a brown tabby Maine Cat (as they were known at the time) won best cat at the first all-breed cat show at Madison Square Garden in 1895. But, as often happens with fashion and trends, as more exotic breeds began to be imported, the appeal of the Maine Coon died down and, shockingly, became almost 1960s, things began to turn around for the Maine Coon cat breed. In 1968, the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was founded and dedicated breeders set forth a concerted effort to revive the breed. Once Maine Coon fanciers got the ball rolling, the breed once again thrived and was accepted by all major associations for championship status.