This entry was posted on 2014-07-08 by Schalk.

Personality and Temperament

In the U.S the Maine Coon is often seen in the top 10 most favored cat breeds. This is not only because of its distinctive coat but also because its undaunted by most situations, intensely loyal to its owners, very hardy and gets along well with children and other pets.

The Maine Coon may initially be wary of strangers, but will warm up to them in time. Other characteristics include obedient, docile and attracted to water. So know need to worry if you see your Maine Coon playing around in water.

Traits

•    Other names: Coon Cat, Maine Cat, Maine Shag, Snowshoe Cat, American Longhair
•    Weight: Male: 6.8-11.3 kg; Female: 4.5-6.8 kg
•    Height: 25-41 cm
•    Coat: Doublecoat, semi long and thick
•    Colour: Thirty or more colours, self, white, tortoiseshell, tabby, silver, smoke, Chocolate, lilac and more.
•    Litter size: About 4 kittens
•    Life span: 9 - 15 years

Physical Characteristics

The Maine Coon is a large cat breed, which weighs about 4.5-11.3kg. Only when the cat reaches its third or forth year will its typical physical attributes be apparent.

What differentiates this breed is its shaggy, smooth and water repellent coat, which comes in a variety of thirty or more colours. Currently brown is the most favored colour. The hair that is longer on the stomach and shorter on the shoulders is silky and long.

Care

The Maine Coon's coat needs to be brushed with a steel comb at least twice a week. Regular play time is the ideal exercise for this breed.

History and Background

For hundreds of years and even during the early colonial period the Maine Coon has inhabited America. However, there isn’t any specific proof stating how they first came to the continent, there are only tales which are uncertain.
A biologically impossible story claims that the Maine Coon’s ancestor was a raccoon. Another story claims that the crossing of the domestic cat and the Bobcat produced this breed. Yet another story claims that in 1700s the cats were bought to the states by an American captain named Coon.

The last story may contain some truth. As mice would thrive on ships, captains often bought cats from different lands to help with the problem. Upon arrival the cats may have made their home in Maine on the Northeast coast. The conditions were terrible so only the toughest and bravest cats survived.

In the early 19th century the Maine Coon was one of the first breeds to be officially recognized. From this point on there was a rapid growth in popularity. In the 1900s new exotic cats arrived and became instant favorites. This caused a decrease in popularity of the Maine Coon. By 1950 the breed decreased so drastically that there were very few left.

However, there were still a few breeders that showed an interest in the cat and continued to breed them. Shows were held specifically for the Maine Coon. The Fanciers Association and Maine Coon Breeders were founded in 1968.
With many thanks to its supporter’s efforts, the Maine Coon was soon allowed to be a candidate in Championship competitions and grew in popularity once again. Today it has champion states in all associations and is one of the most popular cat breeds.

Nutrition

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