The Giant,
The Majestic Maine Coon Cat
Popular and beautiful, the Maine
Coon cat
can steal your heart with a look. While there are several dog,
horse
and even livestock breeds that are American the cat breeds with
American roots are much less numerous!
The Maine Coon is an exception,
with a longer coat and a natural selection view developed in Maine for
barn cats.
This is a cat that likes people and
is good tempered as well as intelligent.
A variety of colors are found with an easy going nature befitting a
farm cat. They’re good with children and dogs and, of course, as a
walking pest control not as hospitable to the mice and rats of early
America.
*******************
This video shows how smart a Maine Coon can be (and how large,
being able to reach the door handle!)
*******************
Today’s standard of perfection is more particular
than
survival. The head and the body are 30 points each, with coat 20
points, color 15 and balance 5. A solid working cat they should show
good proportions and a friendly temperament. A smooth shaggy coat
befits enduring a harsh climate. Medium to large in size
they should be muscular and not too light in bone so as to sacrifice
substance.
 Solid
colors, tabby patterns bi-color,
parti-color, parti-color and
white, shaded and smoke with or without white are allowed unless
showing evidence of crossbreeding. The tufted ears led some early
Americans to believe cats that came from other countries had bred with
American bobcats or even raccoons. It was a distinctive cat unlike the
Persian or other long established cat breeds.
A Maine Coon cat do well in both active households
as well as quieter ones. This is a larger breed where 18
pound males are not unusual.
It isn’t unheard of to have a 20-25 pound male. The tufts on their ears
and furry feet along with a long bushy tail are key indicators you’re
looking at a Maine Coon cat. Grooming a couple of times per week helps
the coat remain tangle free and reduces shedding. Of course low
maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance – they do need regular brushing
to look and feel their best.
Their unusual ‘chirping’ noise along
with soft cat voices are just as charming! A healthy cat is important
whether you’re breeding, showing or just a pet for a goal with your
Maine Coon.
The very structure of a Maine Coon is that of a
functional cat able to survive in cold winters, drinking from puddles
and excellent sight and hearing senses in order to find a live meal.
They can be slow maturing and tend to be heavier boned than the dainty
cats developed for indoors.
****************
Watch this video showing a Maine Coon being
fascinated with his first snow.
****************
**************
And this one shows how they love playing with water!
**************
This breed can take on several functions in modern
households from show to inside pest control to inexpensive
entertainment! They play throughout their live
and are quiet cats. Many prefer to hang out with you rather than be
fussed over, and often prefer chasing things on the ground rather than
climbing up after something they want. And they can play fetch too!
watch the following video!
Their somewhat independent
nature is due to their natural selection past, but they can be a great
“buddy” cat for those not wanting a demanding cat. Beauty and function
in one all American cat – this is the Maine Coon!
Click
Here for our Maine Coon Breeders list.
Return
from Maine Coon Cat to Cat
Breed
Return
to Homepage
|
