Maine Coon Kitten Breed

The Maine Coon cat is the earliest of the breeds developed in the United States. The name comes from the mistaken belief of some settlers that it resulted from across between a domestic cat and a raccoon — a mating impossible in nature. It has some similarity with the Norwegian Forest Cat and perhaps can trace its origins back to a cat taken to the USA by the early Viking settlers but it may possibly have descended from crosses between the early domestic arrivals and later introductions of Angoras, toughened up by harsh winters on the farms of the eastern seaboard. It was a popular breed in the early days of the American Cat Fancy but disappeared from shows with the growing fashion for Persian cats until the Central Maine Coon Cat Club was founded in 1953 to revive the breed. It was again given recognition with full championship status in 1967. The Maine Coon's rugged, muscular appearance is a reminder of its evolution as a working farm cat. Its heavy, shaggy, weatherproof coat, the undercoat covered by amore substantial glossy topcoat, which helps it withstand the Maine winter, is virtually self-maintaining. Nowhere as long as in the Persian, the fur is shorter on the head, neck and shoulders, increasingly long on the back, flanks and tail, with breeches and belly fur full and shaggy and a noticeable frontal ruff beginning at the base of the ears. This breed has an amiable disposition and is recognized in a wide range of colors and patterns. Eye color does not have to match the coat.

Medium to large, long, muscular and broad chested with a square rump, presenting a rectangular appearance; substantial medium long legs with large round paws; tail at least as long as back and tapering.

Medium long and slightly less wide, the nasal bridge equidistant from the ear line and the nose tip; muzzle square, chin firm, cheekbones high and cheeks fairly full, nose slightly concave in profile and without a sharp break or stop; ears large, pointed, wide-based and set high but well apart; the neck moderately long and particularly thick in males.

Large, round and wide-set, slightly oblique in aperture and set. Shades of green, gold or copper; blue or odd-eyed with white fur.

Heavy and shaggy, silky in texture and falling smoothly.

Self, tipped, tabby and particolor in white, black, blue, red, cream, silver.