Notice and introduction: – PLEASE READ THIS – this page is too long for Googe nowadays. It was written many years ago. I have therefore divided it up into several smaller pages and at the end of each page there is a link to the next (pagination). All the original information is there. It is just on several pages. The contents section links no longer works please note except for the quick guide. I have left them alone in case things change in the future and they tell you what is on these pages. I have an entire website dedicated to the Maine Coon now. Please click here to go to it. It is great!
Contents
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Introduction
The photographs above by Helmi Flick encapsulate a lot about this cat breed. They are such superb photographs for that reason. Of course, the cats are superb too. With the American Shorthair the Maine Coon is perhaps the domestic cat with the longest history in North America and is native to the state of Maine1 becoming the official state cat in 1985. It is, therefore, one of the first breeds of cat to be developed in North America. Maine Coon Cats are, as Marilis Hornidge (the author of “That Yankee Cat: The Maine Coon”) states, “the complete package”.
Their appearance is impressive; enhanced by their substantially larger than average size (13-20 lbs on average, although some reach 25 lbs) and the luxuriously long, shaggy, soft, fur coat. Their length has resulted in one, Stewie, being awarded the accolade, the world’s longest cat. And this is all backed up by intelligence, a well balanced character and a pleasant temperament.
They are sometimes referred to as gentle giants of the cat world getting along well with children and dogs. They are not overly dependent however but do their own thing (including rarely, I expect, swimming!). Males are goofy; females are sensible, so the saying goes. Are we talking about cats!? And they don’t necessarily like being held (this I think is common to many cat breeds, however). They are, though, very loyal. Their quiet voice is a contrast to their large size. And we mustn’t forget that famous happy, chirpy, trill. How and why did that evolve? It’s no wonder that this cat is very popular and apparently gaining in popularity. Might it be fair to say that the Maine Coon is more popular than other breeds with men on the basis that they are more likely to be buddies rather than babies? Interesting one that.
At one time (2003) Maine Coons were second in popularity to the Persian amongst the longhaired cat breeds18. The Persian’s standing has waned due to misguided breeding. Times, then, have changed. Based on a long running survey on this site gathering 3540 votes (at Sept 2010) it is the most popular (Rank No.1) of all cat breeds substantially ahead of the others. The Maine Coon breed has always been in the top 3 of the most popular breeds on the basis of this website’s popularity poll.This may be skewed slightly by a majority of American voters but there is no doubt that Maine Coon Cats are one of the world’s most popular cat breeds2. The CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) consider it the second most popular cat breed7. They may reassess in due course (2010).
It is surprising in retrospect to learn that this cat’s popularity was so low at one time in the mid-1900s that it was almost considered extinct and that the Cat Fanciers Association refused provisional breed status on no less than three occasions3. They came to Britain in the mid 1980s. A relationship with a Maine Coon is very rewarding. Helmi Flick the great American cat photographer lives with two, Quin and Zak. Just so you know, I have met and lived ( for 20 days or so) with these cats. And they are gorgeous.
I have a particular connection with Zak. We think alike. He loves to play and appreciates it a lot. Perhaps the Maine Coons size helps him/her to become an alpha cat is a multi-cat family. Maine Coon Cats come in a myriad of colors and patterns only equaled by the Persian for variety. This is a natural breed (e.g. the breed has evolved on its own without man kinds interference until cat breeding became involved), which further adds to the attraction.
Good luck. Here is one of the most beautiful and she is deaf. Not infrequently all-white cats are deaf:
http://cat-chitchat.pictures-of-cats.org/2008/12/deaf-cat.html
looking for a white main coon cat
Here’s the pic. First one didn’t upload correctly.
Another cute picture of him. The rescue group I got him from thought he was part Maine Coon, but weren’t sure of the other part. I know there’s no real way to tell what he is since he came from a cat hoarding household.
Well I think my cat Dino (Parker’s buddy who I got at the same time as Parker) is part Maine Coon. He chirps like my friend’s Maine Coon, and he’s large and poofy. He also has a fascination with my fish tank full of convicts, as proven by the submitted photo.
Susan, he is such a beautiful looking cat. He does look very contented and he has a little bit of Maine Coon in his appearance (the ruff, for example). Thank you for showing us your cat. I see that he is an orange tabby and white. Orange cats, I always think, have good characters but that is entirely anecdotal but I have gleaned that from reading lots about cats while managing this website.