What Is a Maine Coon?

According to "The Maine Coon: America's Native Longhair" by Mike and Trish Simpson, the Maine Coon cat is one of the oldest cat breeds indigenous to North America, and is believed to have originated in the state of Maine. The Maine Coon is, in fact, the official state cat of Maine. Although the Maine Coon has enjoyed a relative upswing in popularity, it is still one of the lesser known breeds because, according to Jane S. Martinke in her article, "Our Yankee Cat Goes National" (Cats Magazine, 1969), its existence has been confined mainly to the northeastern regions of the United States.

  1. Folklore

    • The Maine Coon cat is the subject of much myth and folklore. According to the Simpsons, one of the most fanciful legends surrounding the Maine Coon is that it spawned when semi-feral domestic cats mated with raccoons. The legend gained steam due to the Main Coon's brown raccoon-like coloring and bushy tail. It's the source of the "coon" portion of the cat's moniker. Another popular myth is that the breed can be traced to six cats belonging to Marie Antoinette. Allegedly, during the French Revolution, the doomed queen sent her six beloved felines off to Maine while plotting her ill-fated escape.

    History

    • According to the Simpsons, today most fanciers agree that the Maine Coon likely developed from mating short-haired domestic cats with long-haired cats from overseas. Some believe a long-haired breed was an Angora-type cat brought to the state of Maine by New England sailors. However, a similar tolerance to harsh climate lends more credence to the theory that the long-haired ancestor of the Maine Coon is the Norwegian Forest Cat, a Viking import. First appearing in cat literature in 1861, the Maine Coon enjoyed great popularity during the 19th century, only to be pushed to the back burner by the arrival of the Persian cat at the turn of the century. Fortunately for the Maine Coon, by the mid 20th century, fanciers took a second look, and the Maine Coon was back to stay.

    Appearance

    • According to Fanciers.com, the Maine Coon is built, in every way, to withstand the cold, harsh climate common to its native state. It is a medium to large, muscular, solidly built cat. Males typically weigh between 13 and 18 pounds, while females weigh in between 9 and 12 pounds. Its coat is thick, smooth, water-resistant and surprisingly low-maintenance, requiring only a weekly grooming session. Standards set by the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) state that almost any coat color and pattern, or eye color is acceptable. Its tail is bushy and long enough to serve as a "portable blanket" in which the Maine coon can wrap itself for warmth. Its paws are large, round and heavily tufted, providing warm and durable transport across ice and snow.

    Temperament

    • The Maine Coon is an affectionate, intelligent, highly trainable cat with a laid-back, easy-going temperament. According to Fanciers.com, if you are looking for a "lap cat," then the Maine Coon is probably not for you, as they prefer to just be near you, to follow you about and to "assist" you with your tasks whenever possible. Although the males are typically thought to be a bit more mischievous and impish than their more dignified female counterparts, both males and females are fun-loving and enjoy playing with their masters. As descendants of great mousers, the Maine Coon especially enjoys chasing balls and toys, and "capturing" them with its huge paws. Many even enjoy a rousing game of fetch.

    Medical Considerations

    • The Maine Coon is generally a healthy, hardy breed. However, as with any breed of cat, certain genetic illnesses and conditions are more common to the Maine Coon. The most typical genetic condition is hip dysplasia (dislocation), which can usually be corrected with surgery. The Maine Coon is also more vulnerable to cardiomyopathy, which can range from a mild heart murmur to severe heart disease. According to the MCBFA, other common health concerns of the Maine Coon are polycystic kidney disease, spinal muscular atrophy (spinal weakness caused by the loss of spinal neurons) and chronic gingivitis.