About Breed
About Gaint Maine Coon Kittens
About Breed
The Maine Coon cat has existed in the U.S. since the 1800s and is considered the oldest native cat breed in the U.S. Rugged and solidly built, the Maine Coon cat is known for its massive size, shaggy coat, and large tufted ears reminiscent of a bobcat. While the Maine Coon might appear intimidating to some, this breed is a gentle giant with a sweet, laid-back personality. Learn more about the beloved Maine Coon.
Official name: British Shorthair
Other names: British Blue, Shorthair
Origins: Great Britain
OTHER NAMES: Gentle Giant
PERSONALITY: Amiable, gentle and dog-like
WEIGHT: Average of 9 to 18 pounds; males can weigh 20 pounds or more
LENGTH: About 19 to 30 inches
COAT LENGTH: Heavy and shaggy; silky with coat falling smoothly
COAT COLOR: Solid (white, black, blue, red and cream), tabby (classic, mackerel and ticked), bi-color (black and white, blue and white, red and white, cream and white), parti-color (tortoiseshell and blue-cream), parti-color and white (calico, tortoiseshell and white, blue-cream and white), shaded and smoke, and shaded/smoke and white
EYE COLOR: Varies according to coat color, but may be green, gold, green-gold, copper, blue or odd-eyed
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 15 years
HYPOALLERGENIC: No
ORIGIN: United States
Characteristics of the Maine Coon Cat
Said to be dog-like in disposition, the Maine Coon cat is intelligent, friendly, and gentle. Laid-back and self-assured, these cats tend to take everything in stride and are great playmates for gentle children. They can usually coexist peacefully with other household pets, including other cats and cat-friendly dogs.
Maine Coons are sociable and inquisitive, and can usually be found wherever the action is in the house, inserting themselves into every interesting situation. Talkative but not overly loud, they express themselves through a variety of soft and melodious meows, chirps, and trills. They are quite trainable cats and enjoy learning tricks, responding well to positive training methods and tasty food treats. Despite the old stereotype, Maine Coons often love water and may play in it, bathe in it, dip their food in it, and even swim.
Appearance
The Maine Coon is a solid, rugged cat that is well-proportioned and balanced despite their massive size. They have muscular, long, rectangular bodies with broad chests. Their large, round paws have tufts of hair sticking up from the toes. The head is slightly longer in length than width, with high cheekbones, a distinctive square muzzle, and large, well-tufted ears. The Maine Coon cat coat is heavy and shaggy with a ruff on the chest. The breed comes in many different colors and patterns except for chocolate, lavender, and the Himalayan (pointed) pattern.
History of the Maine Coon Cat
The Maine Coon is believed to have developed naturally in the Northeastern United States. Though many legends persist about the Maine Coons having been bred from bobcats or raccoons, they are 100% housecat, descending from cats brought to America by settlers. The breed evolved to be quite large and hardy, with a thick, shaggy coat. These traits were necessary for the cats to survive and thrive in the harsh winters of the region.
Although Maine Coon-type cats were likely known throughout New England, they were especially popular in the state of Maine. Beginning around the 1860s, some farmers began exhibiting their prized “coon cats” at the Skowhegan Fair, which is the nation’s oldest consecutively held agricultural fair, dating back to 1818. Here, the predecessors to today’s modern Maine Coon breed competed for the title of Maine State Champion Coon Cat.
A female brown tabby Maine Coon named Cosey won what is regarded as the first American cat show, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 8, 1895.1 The Cat Fanciers’ Association’s first stud book and breed registry from 1908 lists the Maine Coon as a foundation breed (listed as “Maine Cats”). The breed is also recognized by the International Cat Association. The Maine Coon was designated as the state cat of Maine in 1985.
FAQs
Why are Maine Coons so special?
Nicknamed “the gentle giant” of the cat world, they’re known for having a gentle disposition and being very vocal. They’re also known to be relatively easy to train, which makes them easily one of the most popular breeds.
How long does it take for a Maine Coon to get big?
This breed does not even get their adult coat until they are two years old. That is when they will have the big ruff around their neck. The bushy tail usually appears at about 5 months of age. Maine Coons routinely grow until they are 4-5 years of age.
What makes a Maine Coon unique?
How to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon?
