Archive-name: cats-faq/breeds/coons
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                            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;
  charmcat@aol.com.
    _________________________________________________________________

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 (tilbury@tilburyhouse.com), 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, coonyham@best.com, Coonyham Cattery
    * Jean Marie Diaz, ambar@clock.org, Ambar Cattery
    * JoAnn Genovese, taelcat001@aol.com, Taelcat Cattery
    * Valerie Johnston, denalimc@alaska.net, Denalicoons Cattery
    * Dave Libershal
    * Orca Starbuck, orca@lutece.com, Lutece Cattery
    * Betsy Tinney, betsyt@microsoft.com, Pinecoon Cattery
    * Eric Williams, wd6cmu@netcom.com

    _________________________________________________________________

   Maine Coon Cat FAQ
   Valerie Johnston, denalimc@alaska.net
   Last modified: Thu Jan 4 19:22:00 -0700 1995