The Maine Coone is one of the most impressive cat breeds. It is one of the largest breeds, weighing up to 8kgs, exceptionally powerful and well muscled, large boned and broad chested. The ears are tall, wide at the base, moderately pointed with longer hair extending horizontally beyond the outer edge of the ear giving the characteristic and unique lynx-like face.
Folk-lore tells that this cat is a descendant of matings between cats, and raccoons in Maine, U.S.A. but as this h genetically impossible it is more. likely that the breed developed from crosses between Angora cats imported to Maine in the 18th century and local cats. One story tells that the Angoras were given by Marie-Antoinette to the Marquis de Lafayette who took them with him on one of his trips to the New World during the American War of Independence.
Although the Maine Coone became very popular in USA in the mid 19th century their popularity as a show cat and pet declined with the introduction of exotic breeds such as Siamese and Persians.
The Maine Coone was developed as a working cat which could defend for itself under the extreme winter conditions in Northern U.S.A. It has an allweather coat with a frontal ruff, long shaggy britches and belly fur and slight but definite undercoat, and a long flowing tail. The density of the coat overlaying the large frame of the Maine Coone gives and impression of a very large cat.
The Maine Coone was highly valued on the farms of Maine where it kept the mice and rat populations in cheek and protected the stored grain from these vermin. In 1976 a society for the preservation of the Maine Coone was formed and today the Maine Coone is again one of the most popular show and companion cats in U.S.A.
The Maine Coone is a very easy going cat and gets along with other cats, children and even dogs. The breed is a natural clown being very playful and some even play 'fetch' with their owners. Maine Coone are fascinated by water and some cats scoop water out of the bowl with their paw before drinking.
The Maine Coone is also a vocal cat with a wide vocabulary of sounds ranging from the normal meow to trills, chirps and chatters and some owners claim their cats 'sing'!
Because of the working heritage the Maine Coone is best kept as an indoor cat in environmentally sensitive areas. |
