| The Maine Coon cat has been called "the king of | | | | chested. The body is well proportioned |
| the domestic cat world". The breed is visually | | | | throughout, and there are no unusual "oddities" in |
| stunning with its beautiful long ruff, bushy | | | | relation to size proportion. |
| "raccoon like" tail and large tufty paws. The Maine | | | | 5. Legs and Feet: The legs are sturdy and |
| Coon is the largest domesticated cat and visitors | | | | substantial, and proportionate to the body. The |
| to our house are shocked to discover our 2-year | | | | paws are very large and well tufted. Tufts in |
| old male kitten has another 2-3 years to grow | | | | between the toes are an essential feature for a |
| before he is classed as an adult. As well as the | | | | Maine Coon. There are five toes on the front |
| Maine Coon's striking physical appearance, the | | | | paws and four on the back. |
| breed has an inquisitive, friendly and lively | | | | 6. Tail: This is the probably the most unmistakable |
| personality. | | | | feature of the Maine Coon. The tail is long and |
| I've had many people ask the question, " I think | | | | should run the length of the body when at least |
| my cat is at least part Maine Coon...how can I | | | | as long as the neck. Originally, when Maine Coons |
| tell?" | | | | lived as farm cats, the tail would cover the whole |
| This is how the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers | | | | body and act as a kind of furry sleeping bag in |
| Association (MCBFA) answer the question on their | | | | the winter. The fur is also thick and long. It has |
| website: | | | | been said that the name "coon" comes from |
| "The Maine Coon is America's native longhair cat; | | | | "racoon" because of the similarities of the tails of |
| it evolved naturally in response to the New | | | | the two animals. |
| England climate. Your cat's ancestors might be | | | | Coat: Heavy and shaggy, medium to longhaired |
| similar to the cats that founded the Maine Coon | | | | and uneven in length. The fur is shorter on the |
| breed. However, it's impossible to tell from just | | | | shoulders and longer on the stomach. A frontal |
| looking at your cat if it is related to the Maine | | | | ruff is desirable although there is a marked |
| Coon or any other breed. Because the Maine | | | | variation in the length of ruff, depending on the |
| Coon is a natural breed and hasn't been bred to | | | | particular line. |
| the extremes, there are cats all over the world | | | | Unique Personality Traits |
| that resemble the Maine Coon. The only way to | | | | Here are 3 classic Maine Coon characteristics: |
| tell for sure if your cat is a Maine Coon is to look | | | | · Dog like behavior: Common behavior is they |
| at the pedigree." | | | | will follow you around, they will sit at your feet, |
| Ok, that may not help much because most | | | | will come to greet you (whenever you've been |
| people do know when they have a pedigree | | | | out), they will fetch and retrieve if trained, they |
| Maine Coon because they have papers verifying | | | | will also carry favorite objects such as a toy stick |
| the pedigree. | | | | in the mouth and drop it at your feet. Like a dog, |
| So, if you don't have papers how can you tell if | | | | it is usual for the Maine Coon to stretch up on its |
| you have at least a part Maine Coon? | | | | back legs resting its front paws above the waist |
| Firstly, these cats are not normal! They have | | | | to demand a stroke from the owners. |
| distinctive personality traits and unique Maine Coon | | | | · Protective of his home: Can be rather |
| features. If your cat has some or all of the | | | | suspicious and extremely curious, a little bit like a |
| following, you can be sure you have a cat with | | | | police "sniffer" dog checking bags for illegal |
| dominant Maine Coon breeding: | | | | substances. Although, this is an obvious |
| Physical Features: | | | | exaggeration, we have found that non-cat loving |
| 1. Head: Round in shape when viewed from the | | | | visitors are not completely at ease with persistent |
| front, medium in width and longish in length. The | | | | investigations into their personal belongings. |
| muzzle is square and can look broad in more | | | | · "Supervisor" role: This is what we call the |
| mature male cats. | | | | constant shadowing behavior of the Maine Coon, |
| 2. Ears: Set high and well apart. They are large, | | | | when something is happening in the house, such |
| and well tufted tapering to a point, in common | | | | as computer work, housework, assembling |
| with the Bobcat and the Lynx. The tufts on the | | | | furniture, or just about anything where people are |
| ears are one of the classic signs of a Maine Coon. | | | | moving about. The only way to discourage him |
| 3. Eyes: Large and wide set. Slightly oblique slanting | | | | her from joining in is to finish the task when he |
| to outer base of ear. | | | | goes off for a sleep! |
| 4. Body: Full maturation can take 4 to 5 years and | | | | In summary, if your cat looks like a Maine Coon |
| allowances should be made when judging size of | | | | and acts like a Maine Coon, you definitely have a |
| the cat. Overall, the body is muscular and broad | | | | part or even full Maine Coon. |