by Jennifer Gray

Created on: April 01, 2009

The Maine Coon Cat

A popular explanation of where the Maine Coon cat breed originated is that they are the product of a semi-wild domestic cat and a raccoon coupling. Though it's known that, zoologically speaking, such a coupling would not be possible. Another popular explanation is that the Maine Coon came from the six pet cats that Marie Antoinette sent to Maine while she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution.

The Maine Coon cat was originally developed as a mouser that could weather the winters of Maine, where they are believed to have originated. The appeal and characteristics of these cats lead them to have the distinction of being the very first cats exhibited in annual competitive cat shows. Though the first official cat show was around 1871 in London, these much loved felines had been in competition since 1860 by New England farmers to win the "Maine State Champion Coon Cat" prize.

These cats are among the largest of the domestic cat breeds and can reach 18lbs once fully grown. Physical maturity usually takes four to five years though mental maturity never really occurs. They are a very playful and active and have been known to teach themselves new tricks as part of their adolescent temperament. They love to be around their families but are quite self-reliant. Rarely are they lap cats, though there are exceptions, as they generally prefer the seat next to you. They are very friendly cats and will follow their owners from room to room and wait for you to emerge from behind a door.

Their coats are thick and long, with a fluff of fur over their neck and chest, developed for a life outdoors. They have a long, bushy tail as long as their bodies, that they use to wrap around themselves to keep warm. Traditionally, their colouring matched those of a tabby cat with the black and brown stripped appearance but now there are many variances. Solid colours, smoke colours, bi and par-ti colours.

Maine Coons are very easy to look after. Their coat is such that it doesn't usually require much more maintenance then brushing once or twice a week. They mostly prefer higher quality dry food and will graze through out the day. Most Maine Coons like water and have been known to jump in the tub to play with dripping water and enjoy a big bowl of fresh water daily. Hip dysplasia is the most common inherited health problem with these cats.

These majestic cats have inspired the creation of a number of clubs and organizations in their honour. Among these clubs is the "Maine Coon Cat Club" formed in 1953, the "Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association" that was established in 1968 and the "International Society for the Preservation of the Maine Coon", created in 1976. In 1994, the Maine Coon cat breed had the unique distinction of being the only breed to have it own colour magazine, "Maine Coon International", and had been a quarterly publication since it's start.

Maine Coons won't be a baby but they'll be your companion and friend.

Sources:
http://fanciers.com/breed-faqs/maine- coon-faq.html
Cat Breeds of the World
Desmond Morris 1999 pg. 90-94
The Beauty of Cats
Adams and
Pearcy 1995 pg. 116
Cats and Kittens
Darbyshire 1998 pg. 93-96

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