Maine Coon

Even before the first official cat shows were held in the United States in the 1890s, Maine Coon cats appeared in special competitions at agricultural shows in New England in the 1860s. A natural breed, it was named the official cat of the state of Maine, where it originated, and was highly prized as a hunter of vermin. Maine Coons evolved as sturdy working cats, with their physique and coat suited to the climate of the region. At the first major cat show held in the United States at Madison Square Garden in New York in May 1895, a brown tabby Maine Coon female called “Cosey” was chosen as “Best Cat”. The silver collar and medal awarded to Cosey is now on display at the CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) headquarters in Ohio.

With the rise in popularity of the glamorous Persian in the early 20th century, however, the Maine Coon fell out of favour, and in 1959 the Maine Coon was declared extinct by CFA. However, to misquote the great American author, Mark Twain, reports of the breed’s demise were greatly exaggerated. Maine Coon enthusiasts had continued to keep the breed, especially in rural areas. During the 1940s and 50s one person in particular, Mrs Ethelyn Whittemore of Augusta, Maine maintained careful hand-written records of her Maine Coon cats and their progeny – her family had always kept the breed – and Whittemore cats were acquired by other catteries interested in promoting and maintaining the breed, and in 1976 their perseverance paid off when the Maine Coon breed was accepted for championship status by CFA.

The Maine Coon did not appear in the UK until 1984, when Mrs Pat Brownsell of Patriarca prefix imported five from the USA and Germany. In 1985 the Maine Coon Cat Club was founded, a Standard of Points was drawn up, and GCCF granted Preliminary Recognition in 1988, and eventually championship status in 1993.

This breed is large and handsome, and the largest domestic breed to be recognised by GCCF. The Guinness World Record for the longest cat was a Maine Coon called Barivel, measuring 3ft 11.2 inches from nose to tail tip!

Maine Coons have a medium length head with fairly full cheeks and high cheekbones, the muzzle should be square and the chin firm. In profile they have a shallow concave curve at the bridge of the nose. The ears are a great feature being large, tall and wide at the base, set high and usually with long tufts at the tips. Their eyes should be full and round with a slightly oblique aperture and set; the permitted colours are green, gold or copper, although odd or blue eyes are permissible in white cats. A strong neck leads to a long rectangular body with a broad chest. They are weighty and muscular, and males can weigh up to 18-20 pounds. The legs have substantial boning and the paws are large, round and tufted. The tail must be long, at least the length of the back, wide at the base and tapering to the tip. The coat consists of an undercoat covered by a more substantial glossy top coat. The fur is shorter on the head, neck and shoulders and increases in length down the back, flanks and tail. They should have full shaggy breeches and belly fur. A frontal ruff begins at the base of the ears, and is heavier in males than females, and the tail fur is long, profuse and flowing. The breed is recognised in a variety of solid colours, including white, tortoiseshell, tabby colours in classic and mackerel patterns, with or without silver. Shaded and smoke colours, bi-colour and parti-colours are also recognised. The Maine Coon is slow to mature, taking up to four years.

The Maine Coon has a personality to match its size.  They are high energy, and because of their large size need plenty of room to play and work off their natural hunting instinct.  An assortment of toys and a very strong climbing frame that will support their weight and enable them to access high places will be appreciated.  Like all other cats they enjoy a snooze, and will search out the most comfortable spot.  Their temperament belies their size, for they are gentle and friendly as well as playful, often known as “the gentle giant”.  They make        wonderful family pets, as they enjoy being involved in whatever is going on with their humans and form strong bonds with their family.  They have a quiet chirping voice,   although they can also yowl when demanding food.  They like company and will bond well with another cat or the family dog.  Retaining their playful ways throughout their life, a Maine Coon is an affectionate and fun companion.
With their sweet temperaments and good looks it is no wonder that the Maine Coon is the one of the world’s most popular breeds, ranking 3rd most popular in both CFA and GCCF registrations.

Because they have a long, thick coat, they will require regular grooming to keep the coat in good condition and prevent knots and mats. They can shed quite heavily in the Spring, when extra care will have to be taken to ensure any old, dead coat is removed. Their large ears should also be regularly checked to ensure they are clean. Care should be taken with their nutrition as they can have a tendency to become overweight.

The Maine Coon is generally a healthy breed, with a life expectancy between 10 – 15 years. The breed is affected by two hereditary health issues:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) – a condition characterised by thickening of the heart muscle, resulting in a reduced volume of blood that the heart can pump with each contraction, which can lead to heart failure. There is a DNA test for HCM in Maine Coon cats, and it is also possible for cats used for breeding to have an ultrasound scan of the heart.
• Hip dysplasia – there is no simple gene test for this condition. However, breeding cats can be X-rayed to assess the conformation of the hip joints prior to being used in a breeding programme.