Why is the Maine Coon cat so much more popular than the Siberian cat? They are cat breeds of similar appearance. The Siberian, judging by the photographs on this page, which I hope represents fairly typical examples of these cat breeds, is more rounded in appearance with a stockier body, smaller ears and a more rounded face. But they are both quite large cats. In fact the Maine Coon is, on my reckoning, the largest domestic cat breed other than a wildcat hybrid, while the Siberian is said to be a large and strong cat.
As to character and personality I do not really believe that you can brand a certain cat breed with a personality because each cat is an individual with his or her own character. However, the Siberian is said to be an independent cat which likes to bond with the people it loves and has a doglike character, while the Maine Coon is said to have a relaxed and easy going personality being able to get along with children and dogs as well as other cats. They, too, are people orientated and rather independent like the Siberian. We are told that the Maine Coon does not constantly demand attention. To be honest, I do not know any cat which does. Even taking a conventional view of the personalities of these cat breeds, there is not a lot between them.
If we put to one side the question of the cat’s personality, we are left with appearance (which as stated is similar) and history, meaning the origins of the cat. And I think this is where the attractiveness of one cat is superior to the other in the biggest marketplace for purebred, pedigree cats, namely, the United States of America.
The Siberian cat is native to Russia while the main Coon is America’s very own cat breed. So one cat is Russian while the other is American. As the American market in purebred pedigree cats is much larger than the Russian market there are bound to be far more admirers of the Maine Coon.
The Siberian cat quite possibly has a much longer history in Siberia than the Maine Coon has in America. Although, we are never going to be sure because cat breed history is often rather hazy.
It is said that Siberian Cats lived in monasteries thousands of years ago even acting as guards, watching for intruders. The monks cared for them. The Siberian was imported into the United States in early 1990.
It is generally agreed that the more popular Maine Coon first came to America from Europe with the settlers in the 1600s and later. Therefore they are, in respect of long-term history, European cats, particularly British cats I suspect. But four hundred years of evolution in America allows them to be called American cats.
It may be the case that both these breeds have the same origins together with the Norwegian Forest cat. Should that be true we cannot rely on history to genuinely separate them either.
Despite that, America has adopted the Maine Coon as their cat which makes it the world’s most popular purebred cat.
You raise an interesting topic for me, Jennifer. This is because, in America, the only reason why a cat can be a purebred cat is because he or she is registered with a cat association and the cat has a pedigree. However, as far as I am concerned, that does not mean that some cats that do not have this qualification are not members of a cat breed.
For example, in Turkey there are many Turkish Angora cats but if anyone of them were transported to America, technically, they could not be called a Turkish Angora cat but a moggie or random bred cat. This is because none of them are registered with a cat association not even the beautiful examples of this breed at Ankara zoo.
As for Mikey, he has an appearance which does not exactly fit into the appearance of any cat breed. However, he does have “presence”. In fact, he has enormous presence. Some moggies are like that. They are more handsome and have more presence than even the most impressive purebred, pedigree cat.
The second point I think is worth making is that Mikey may have some Maine Coon genes in him. In other words he could be a mix of some sort because in 1850 (an beforehand) on farms in Maine, the Maine Coon probably looked like Mikey. The way this breed looks today is somewhat exaggerated despite being a fairly normal looking cat breed but it is bred to have a certain appearance while the original farm cats of Maine, the originators of the modern breed, would have been more like Mikey.
As for the Norwegian Forest cat, that cat breed has a close connection with the Maine Coon and it maybe the same cat if we go far enough back. You can see, then, that the boundaries between moggies and specific cat breeds can be quite blurred.
exactly caroline
yea exactly right. its great to meet someone similar i know michael is of the same mind and a few others feel the same. If i was to use a pedigree it be great though havent got a spare 500
Are you saying that the Maine Coon cat is more popular in the east than in the west of the country? That would make sense obviously because the state of Maine is where this cat breed comes from, ostensibly. I had the impression that this popular cat breed was popular throughout the USA in equal measure.
Kylee, I totally agree with you. It’s frustrating that people breed cats on purpose when so many need homes but it’s one of those things that we can’t change. I would never buy a purebred cat but if I did it would be a main coon. 🙂 I do however, have a purebred Parti Standard Poodle that fetches cats. LOL I inherited her though when a very close friend passed away.
yea and hes geogerous the best animals i love the most are domestic moggies. I do admire maine coon for their beautiful tails and amazing height. I just choose domestic animals as they get a hard life and plus i believe all moggies are just as good and dont cost a thing. I just dont understand why great more predigrees when thers thousands and prob millions of good cats in shelters and fereal cats that are in need of a FOREVER HOME