Introduction
The gorgeous Maine Coon is the first longhaired domestic feline to have evolved naturally on the North American continent. In fact, it is one of the very oldest and longest-established of all companion cat breeds. As its name suggests, the Maine Coon originated in the farthest corner of the northeastern United States, in and around the state of Maine. This is a mountainous, forested and rugged land with particularly inhospitable winters. Shaped by natural selection through nature’s own breeding program, the Maine Coon developed into a large, extremely sturdy cat that is ideally suited to the variable, sometimes harsh climate of the region.
Today’s Maine Coon is a massive, powerful, broad-chested cat with a long, rectangular body and a substantial bone structure. Their heads are a bit small in comparison to their overall appearance. Their tufted, lynx-like ears are large and set well apart. Their eyes are round and prominent. This is one of the largest of all domestic cats. Males average about 18 pounds, with some topping the scales at over 20 pounds. While females rarely attain the same size as the males, they are still unusually large among domestic breeds. The Maine Coon’s tail is long and especially fluffy. It undoubtedly is the source of the second half of the breed’s name, as the bushy tail is thought to resemble that of a raccoon. The long all-weather coat of the Maine Coon is dense and hardy, providing warmth and protection appropriate to the northeastern climate. It is glossy, somewhat shaggy, water resistant and almost maintenance free. An occasional good brushing is really all that is necessary to keep it in good shape.
Maine Coons come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including the golden-eyed white, Black, Blue and White, Silver Tabby, Cream Silver Tabby, Brown Classic Tabby, Brown Tabby and White, Torbie and White, Silver Patched Tabby, Blue Silver Patched Tabby and Slack Smoke and White. The Brown Tabby is probably most popular in the American show ring. Maine Coons do not come in chocolate, lilac or pointed varieties.
History
The Maine Coon is American's native longhaired cat, probably dating back to the late 1700s, if not earlier. Some have suggested that this breed descended from crosses of semi-feral domestic cats and wild raccoons, although this is not scientifically possible. Another legend is that the Maine Coon descends from cats sent by Marie Antoinette to Maine for safety, while she planned her escape from the perils of the French Revolution. Realistically, the ancestors of the Maine Coon probably came to America from Asia and Europe during the 18th century, and probably contain some Angora blood. It may be that the Maine Coon simply evolved from domestic cats that accompanied the early Pilgrims on their voyages from Great Britain.
New England cat fanciers began entering their Maine Coons in local cat shows and county fairs during the 1860s. A Maine Coon reportedly won Best in Show at the first major cat show in North America, which was held at Madison Square Garden in 1895.
The Maine Coon lost some of its early popularity around the turn of the century, with the importation and arrival of fancier, more fashionable breeds, such as the Persian and the Siamese. The breed made a slow but steady comeback starting in the 1950s. In 1953, the Central Maine Coon Cat Club was formed to promote the breed. A small group of dedicated breeders helped the Maine Coon regain its stature in the cat fancy, and by 1976 all North American purebred cat registries had accepted the breed for full championship status. The International Society for the Preservation of the Maine Coon was formed in 1976 as well.
Originally referred to in Europe as the American Forest Cat, this breed was first seen outside of North America in the mid-1970s, reportedly in West Germany. England acquired its first Maine Coons in the mid-1980s. Today, the Maine Coon is second only to the Persian in popularity among purebred cat fanciers in the United States. It has a strong following worldwide. The breed is an agile, skilled hunter that has long been held in high regard for its mousing talents.
Health Predispositions
Maine Coons are not particularly prolific breeders. They tend to have small, infrequent litters – sometimes with only one or two kittens at a time. Maine Coons are slow to mature, typically not reaching full maturity until they are 3 or 4 years of age. Apparently, some curly-coated, or “rexed,” kittens have popped up in otherwise purebred Maine Coon litters in the United Kingdom, indicating that somewhere along the line a curly-coated cat was introduced into the Maine Coon pedigree. Responsible breeders are making a concerted effort to eliminate that curly-coated gene from their bloodlines. Maine Coons are predisposed to developing a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is more common in middle-aged to older males. Maine Coons may also have an increased risk of developing hip dsyplasia.