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