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All the cat breed faqs are available as ASCII files either on rec.pets.cats
or via anon ftp to rtfm.mit.edu under pub/usenet/new.answers/cats-faq/breeds/*
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http://www.fanciers.com/breeds.html.

The Maine Coon Cat

_________________________________________________________________

This FAQ is Copyright (c) 1994, 1995 by Laura Cunningham, Jean Marie
Diaz, JoAnn Genovese, Valerie Johnston, Dave Libershal, Orca Starbuck,
Betsy Tinney, and Eric Williams. Please contact the authors (see
below) if you wish to reprint this document in whole or in part.

_________________________________________________________________

* History
* Characteristics
* Temperament
* Description
* Care and Training
* Special Medical Problems
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Recognition
* Breed Association
* Finding a Maine Coon Breeder
* References
* Authors

_________________________________________________________________

History

One of the oldest natural breeds in North America, the Maine Coon is
generally regarded as a native of the state of Maine (in fact, the
Maine Coon is the official Maine State Cat). A number of attractive
legends surround its origin. A wide-spread (though biologically
impossible) belief is that it originated from matings between
semi-wild, domestic cats and raccoons. This myth, bolstered by the
bushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby)
led to the adoption of the name 'Maine Coon.' (Originally, only brown
tabbies were called 'Maine Coon Cats;' cats of other colors were
referred to as 'Maine Shags.') Another popular theory is that the
Maine sprang from the six pet cats which Marie Antoinette sent to
Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during
the French Revolution. Most breeders today believe that the breed
originated in matings between pre-existing shorthaired domestic cats
and overseas longhairs (perhaps Angora types introduced by New England
seamen, or longhairs brought to America by the Vikings).

First recorded in cat literature in 1861 with a mention of a black and
white cat named 'Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines,' Maine Coons were
popular competitors at early cat shows in Boston and New York. A brown
tabby female named 'Cosie' won Best Cat at the 1895 Madison Square
Garden Show.

Unfortunately, their popularity as show cats declined with the arrival
in 1900 of the more flamboyant Persians. Although the Maine Coon
remained a favorite cat in New England, the breed did not begin to
regain its former widespread popularity until the 1950's when more and
more cat fanciers began to take notice of them, show them, and record
their pedigrees. In 1968, six breeders formed the Maine Coon Breeders
and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) to preserve and protect the breed.
Today, MCBFA membership numbers over 1000 fanciers and 200 breeders.
By 1980, all registries had recognized the Maine Coon, and it was well
on its way to regaining its former glory.

Maine Coons were well established more than a century ago as a hardy,
handsome breed of domestic cat, well equipped to survive the hostile
New England winters. Nature is not soft-hearted. It selects the
biggest, the brightest, the best fighters, and the best hunters to
breed successive generations. Planned breedings of Maine Coons are
relatively recent. Since planned breeding began, Maine Coon breeders
have sought to preserve the Maine Coon's "natural," rugged qualities.
The ideal Maine Coon is a strong, healthy cat.

Interestingly, the breed closest to the Maine Coon is the Norwegian
Forest Cat which, although geographically distant, evolved in much the
same climate, and lends credence to the theory that some of the cats
responsible for developing the Maine Coon were brought over by the
Vikings.
_________________________________________________________________

Characteristics

Everything about the Maine Coon points to its adaptation to a harsh
climate. Its glossy coat, heavy and water-resistant, is like that of
no other breed, and must be felt to be appreciated. It is longer on
the ruff, stomach and britches to protect against wet and snow, and
shorter on the back and neck to guard against tangling in the
underbrush. The coat falls smoothly, and is almost maintenance-free: a
weekly combing is all that is usually required to keep it in top
condition. The long, bushy tail which the cat wraps around himself
when he curls up to sleep can protect him from cold winters. His ears
are more heavily furred (both inside and on the tips) than many breeds
for protection from the cold, and have a large range of movement. Big,
round, tufted feet serve as 'snow shoes.' Their large eyes and ears
are also survival traits, serving as they do increase sight and
hearing. The relatively long, square muzzle facilitates grasping prey
and lapping water from streams and puddles.

Although the Yankee myth of 30-pound cats is just that, a myth (unless
the cat is grossly overweight!), these are indeed tall, muscular,
big-boned cats; males commonly reach 13 to 18 pounds, with females
normally weighing about 9 to 12 pounds. Add to that two or three
inches of winter coat, and people will swear that they're looking at
one big cat.

Maine Coons develop slowly, and don't achieve their full size until
they are three to five years old. Their dispositions remain kittenish
throughout their lives; they are big, gentle, good-natured goofs. Even
their voices set them apart from other cats; they have a distinctive,
chirping trill which they use for everything from courting to cajoling
their people into playing with them. (Maine Coons love to play, and
many will joyfully retrieve small items.) They rarely meow, and when
they do, that soft, tiny voice doesn't fit their size!
_________________________________________________________________

Temperament

While Maine Coons are highly people-oriented cats, they are not
overly-dependent. They do not constantly pester you for attention, but
prefer to "hang out" with their owners, investigating whatever
activity you're involved in and "helping" when they can. They are not,
as a general rule, known as "lap cats" but as with any personality
trait there are a few Maine Coons that prefer laps. Most Maine Coons
will stay close by, probably occupying the chair next to yours
instead. Maines will follow you from room to room and wait outside a
closed door for you to emerge. A Maine Coon will be your companion,
your buddy, your pal, but hardly ever your baby.

Maine Coons are relaxed and easy-going in just about everything they
do. The males tend to be the clowns while the females retain more
dignity, but both remain playful throughout their lives. They
generally get along well with kids and dogs, as well as other cats.
They are not as vertically-oriented as some other breeds, prefering to
chase objects on the ground and grasping them in their large paws --
no doubt instincts developed as professional mousers. Many Maine Coons
will play "fetch" with their owners.
_________________________________________________________________

Description

The important features of the Maine Coon are the head and body shape,
and the texture and 'shag' of the coat. The head is slightly longer
than it is wide, presenting a gently concave profile with high
cheekbones and ears that are large, wide at the base, moderately
pointed, and well tufted inside. They are set well up on the head,
approximately an ear's width apart. Lynx-like tufting on the top of
the ears is desirable. The neck should be medium-long, the torso long,
and the chest broad. The tail should be at least as long as the torso.
One of their most distinctive features is their eyes, which are large,
round, expressive, and set a a slightly oblique angle. Overall, the
Maine Coon should present the appearance of a well-balanced,
rectangular cat.

Throughout their history there has been no restriction on the patterns
and colors acceptable, with the exception of the pointed Siamese
pattern. As a result, a wide range of colors and patterns are bred.
Eye colors for all coat colors range through green, gold, and
green-gold. Blue eyes and odd eyes, (one blue and one gold eye) are
permissible in white cats. There is no requirement in the Maine Coon
Standard of Perfection for particular combinations of coat color and
eye color.

Maine Coon owners enjoy the breed's characteristic clown-like
personality, affectionate nature, amusing habits and tricks,
willingness to 'help' with any activity, and easily groomed coat. They
make excellent companions for large, active families that also enjoy
having dogs and other animals around. Their hardiness and ease of
kittening make them a satisfying first breed for the novice breeder.
For owners wishing to show, the Maine Coon has reclaimed its original
glory in the show ring.
_________________________________________________________________

Care and Training

Most breeders recommend a high-quality dry food. Most cats can free
feed without becoming overweight. Middle-aged cats (5-10) are most
likely to have weight problems which can usually be controlled by
switching to a low-calorie food. Many Maine Coons love water. Keep a
good supply of clean, fresh water available at all times.

Most Maine Coons can be trained to accept a leash. Maine Coons are
creatures of habit and they train easily if they associate the
activity with something they want (they train humans easily too!).
_________________________________________________________________

Special Medical Problems

Individuals within any breed are fairly closely related, and have many
characteristics in common. This includes genetic strengths and
weaknesses. Certain genetic health disorders may be more or less of a
problem in a particular breed than in other breeds. For example, a
breed may have a slightly higher incidence of gum disease than the cat
population as a whole, but have a lower incidence of heart disease or
liver disease.

Genetic problems generally only affect a tiny minority of the breed as
a whole, but since they can be eradicated by careful screening, most
reputable breeders try to track such problems, both in their breeding
stock and the kittens they produce. By working with a responsible
breeder who will speak openly about health issues, you are encouraging
sound breeding practices.

In the Maine Coon, the most common inherited health problems are hip
dysplasia, which can produce lameness in a severely affected cat, and
cardiomyopathy, which can produce anything from a minor heart murmur
to severe heart trouble. Any breeder you talk to should be willing to
discuss whether they've had any problems with these diseases in their
breeding stock, or in kittens they've produced; how much screening
they're doing, and why.
_________________________________________________________________

Frequently Asked Questions

_"How big do they get?"_

A full-grown female typically weighs between 9-12 pounds and males
tend to be in the 13 to 18 pound range.

_"Do they need much grooming?"_

Maine Coons do not need much grooming and a weekly combing is all
that is usually required to keep the coat in top condition.

_"But I thought Maine Coons had extra toes...?"_

Some "original" Maine Coons were polydactls (had extra toes).
However, modern purebred Maine Coons are rarely polydactlys. This
is because all cat associations automatically disqualify
polydactyls from competition in the purebred classes. Because of
this, most polydactyls were culled from the Maine Coon breed
decades ago, and only a few breeders continue to work with them.
Since the polydactyl gene is dominant, you can't get a polydactyl
kitten unless at least one of the parents is also a polydactyl.

_"I think my cat is part Maine Coon. How do I tell?"_

The Maine Coon is America's native longhair cat; it evolved
naturally in response to the New England climate. Your cat's
ancestors might be similar to the cats that founded the Maine Coon
breed. However, it's impossible to tell from just looking at your
cat if it is related to the Maine Coon or to any other breed.
Because the Maine Coon is a natural breed and hasn't been bred to
extremes, there are cats all over the world that resemble the Maine
Coon. The only way to tell for sure if your cat is a Maine Coon is
to look at the pedigree.

_"Is that a Maine Coon? I thought all Maine Coons were brown."_

Maine Coons come in a wide variety of color combinations. The only
colors you won't find are the Siamese-type colors.

_________________________________________________________________

Recognition

* American Cat Association (ACA)
* American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA)
* Canadian Cat Association (CCA)
* Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
* Cat Fanciers' Federation (CFF)
* Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe)
* Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)
* The International Cat Association (TICA)

_________________________________________________________________

Breed Association

The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA), founded in
1968, is the international breed association.

If you would like to join the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers
Association and receive the quarterly magazine, _The Scratch Sheet_,
please send dues, as outlined below, to the MCBFA Fancier Secretary:
Wendy McGlynn
39 Broadway Street
Pembroke, NH 03275.

_U.S.:_ $15.00/one year; $27.00/two years; $35.00/three years.
Optional: Add $5.00 to have your _Scratch Sheet_ sent via First
Class Mail.
_Canada:_ $15.00 + $6.00 postage/annually.
_All Other Countries:_ $15.00 + $16.00 postage/annually.

If you are actively breeding Maine Coons, you may join the Breeder
Division for $25.00 (includes subscription to _The Scratch Sheet_ and
a copy of MCBFA's book on caring for and breeding your Maine Coon
cats). For information, please contact the Provisional Breeder Member
Secretary, Ginny Molloy, at 1274 Uhls Road, Franklin, KY 42134;
[email protected].
_________________________________________________________________

Finding a Maine Coon Breeder

There are many Maine Coon breeders throughout the world. One way to
find a local Maine Coon breeder is to visit a local cat show. Some
breeders have waiting lists for their kittens, but most will happily
refer you to another breeder if they are not able to help you. There
are also breeder listings in the breeder advertisement sections of
Cats and Cat Fancy magazines, and the annual publication Cats USA.

Lists of Maine Coon breeders are also available online. A good
starting place is the Fanciers Breeder Referral List, where there is a
list of Maine Coon breeders.

Breeders who are members of the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers
Association agree to a specific code of breeder ethics. MCBFA
maintains an online list of breeder members.

_________________________________________________________________

References

MCBFA also publishes two excellent books relating to the Maine Coon:
Caring For, Breeding, and Showing Your Maine Coon Cat ($8.00) and
Genetics For The Maine Coon Cat Breeder ($5.00). These prices include
shipping and handling. Orders for these books should be mailed to the
editor, Trish Simpson, 10149 Oakwood Chase Court, Oakton VA 22124.
(Please make check or money order in U.S. funds payable to MCBFA.)

The best book about Maine Coons is probably That Yankee Cat, The Maine
Coon by Marilis Hornidge, now into a third edition. It is available
from Tilbury House Publishers ([email protected]), 132 Water
Street, Gardiner, Maine 04345. Phone is 800 582 1899 for orders. The
cost is $14.95 plus $4 (for the first book; $.50 for each additional)
shipping if ordered from the publisher. ISBN: 0-88448-088-7. Lots of
breed stories and history, good sections on genetics and home medical
care. The pictures are plentiful.

The other Maine Coon book is This Is The Maine Coon Cat by Sharyn P.
Bass. Contact T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 211 West Sylvania Ave.,
Neptune City, NJ 07753. ISBN 0-87666-867-8. It has a 1983 copyright.
This book is more oriented to showing and breeding Maine Coons. Less
history than in the other book but some color pictures. Show
information is geared towards CFA and generally useful but some stuff
is out of date. Good sections on pet care and medical advice. A good
chapter on birthing but no genetics.
_________________________________________________________________

Authors and Credits

The sections on History, Characteristics, Description, Breed
Associations, and the first paragraph of References is courtesy of the
MCBFA from their flyer "The Maine Coon - America's Native Longhair",
by Mike & Trish Simpson (Cheeptrills Cattery).

Other Authors and editors:
* Laura Cunningham, [email protected], Coonyham Cattery
* Jean Marie Diaz, [email protected], Ambar Cattery
* JoAnn Genovese, [email protected], Taelcat Cattery
* Valerie Johnston, [email protected], Denalicoons Cattery
* Dave Libershal
* Orca Starbuck, [email protected], Lutece Cattery
* Betsy Tinney, [email protected], Pinecoon Cattery
* Eric Williams, [email protected]

_________________________________________________________________

Maine Coon Cat FAQ
Valerie Johnston, [email protected]
Last modified: Thu Jan 4 19:22:00 -0700 1995