Maine Coons are considered the oldest natural cat breed in North America. Possessing a long lifespan of 12-20 years. Their exercise level is low making them ideal for apartment dwellers. They have a very distinctive wild-looking physical appearance. They can weigh up to 11KG not because they are overweight, but because their body mass is spread evenly throughout their body. Their tails can measure up to 16 inches in length.
Maine Coon Cats are registered with CFA, ACFA, FIFe, and TICA. Accepted For Championship in TICA in 1979. Although initially bred for valuable hunting skills, today’s breed is a slow-paced hunter that is more likely to lick and cuddle your mouse than hunt it. The Maine Coon has a notable gentle disposition, loves to cuddle, loves everyone, has low energy needs, and can adapt to any home.
Maine Coons in particular are susceptible to certain health conditions. So it is important to pick a breeder who performs proper health tests. The longest Maine Coon Cat living measures 120 cm and was achieved by Barivel (Italy), as verified on 22 May 2018 by Guinness Book Of World Records. To put that in context, that’s longer than a baseball bat or equivalent to seven iPads laid out in a row!
General Type description
The Maine Coon is a semi-longhaired cat of medium Foreign type and is distinguished by its large size, bone structure, rectangular appearance and flowing coat. The Maine Coon evolved as a working domesticated cat in a rural environment; this role is reflected in a muscular cat of rugged outdoor appearance with a characteristic weatherproof coat and the demeanour of an alert capable hunter.
Medium in length, the nasal bridge being equidistant from the ear line and the tip of the nose, with the width being slightly less than the length of the head. Allowance should be made for additional breadth or jowls in mature males. The muzzle should be square with firm chin: chin, upper lip and nose leather should fall in a perpendicular line. Cheeks fairly full, with high cheekbones. Bite level. Nose of uniform width with shallow concave curve at the nasal bridge when viewed in profile, and without a sharp break or stop
Large, tall ears, wide at base and tapering to appear pointed at the tip; set high but well apart.
Full and round, spaced wide apart with a slightly oblique aperture and set. Shades of green, gold or copper; coat and eye colour may be unrelated. Odd or blue eyes are permissible in white cats.
Body large to medium size, solid and muscular with breadth of chest. Long body with proportionate limbs to create the characteristic rectangular appearance; square rump. Neck moderately long; particularly thick and muscular in mature males.
Substantial legs with large round paws; toes carried close, five in front, four behind.
Long, at least the length of the back, wide at the base and tapering towards the tip.
Waterproof consisting of an undercoat covered by a more substantial glossy topcoat. Fur shorter on the head, neck and shoulders increasing in length down the back, flanks and tail. A fluffy appearance is undesirable. Breeches and belly fur full and shaggy. Frontal ruff beginning at the base of the ears; heavier in males than females. Tail fur long, profuse and flowing; not bushy. Ears feathered and preferably tufted at the tips; the ear feathering should extend beyond the outer edges of the ear. Paws tufted, with long tufts emanating from under the paws, extending backwards to create a snowshoe effect.
The Maine Coon is recognised in a variety of solid colours (including white in all eye colours); tortoiseshell; tabby colours (classic and mackerel patterns) with or without silver; shaded and smoke colours; bi-colour and parti-colour (e.g. solid/tabby/tortoiseshell/shaded/smoke colour and white).
NOTES
1. Since the Maine Coon is slow to mature (taking up to 4 years), allowance should be made as to their size when judging younger cats. The balance of the cat is of uppermost importance.
2. The cat loses coat during the summer months.
3. Different coat colours may have different textured coats.
