The Maine Coon Feline brings love and loyalty to the home.  Even though this breed is generally affectionate it can also be a bit moody and demanding. It uses its big paws lightly, but when wanting attention it can sound like a herd of elephants when hurling down stairs.

In the United States the Maine Coon is almost tied with the Persian as the most popular feline.

There are several theories as to how the Maine Coon came to North America. The most popular of all theories is they came over on the ships that colonized our country and were used as working cats to keep the rodent population controlled thus protecting the grain bins on the ships. It is the oldest show breed in North America. A black- and -white male was the first Maine Coon to be historically recorded.

Between 1911 and 1935 the breed fell out of popularity as other pedigreed longhaired cats came into greater favor, but later it was developed into more than a regional oddity thanks in great part to The Central Maine Cat Club, which promoted the breed enthusiastically.

In 1985, the governor of Maine signed into law a document naming the Maine Coon the official state feline. In February 1988, the cat appeared on a series of 22-cent U.S. commemorative postage stamps.

The tail of the Maine Coon should be at least as long as the body, between the shoulder blade and base of the tail. It is a silky, mat-free tail that is long and flowing and sometimes held high in the air like a flag. The tail is the Maine Coon’s “pride and joy.”

Although the Maine Coon is indeed large, it generally is not a huge cat. The breed looks bigger because of its long coat and stocky conformation. The fur on its shoulders is shorter and gradually becomes longer down the spine, ending in the heaviest fur on the hindquarters. The fur down the sides and on the stomach is also long and full. It is perhaps its second most proud attribute.

An advantage of this longhaired breed is that it is relatively mat-free. The Main Coon is nearly the most self-grooming of all longhaired breeds, but not to the extent many people think.

Although cats shed all of the time, heavy shedding occurs primarily in the spring and fall. Compared to other longhaired felines the Maine Coon doesn’t seem to develop huge mats mainly because they love to groom themselves, which removes most snarls. Brushing does not need to be a daily occurrence but a weekly one allows them to enjoy the bonding time brushing offers. These felines know they are beautiful and like to be helpful in your keeping them that way.

The Maine Coon’s voice is quite versatile, from a small “mew” to a high-pitched trilling or chirping sound.

The males tend to be refined while the females are often the best hunters.

With its great beauty, intelligence and affection the Maine Coon makes a wonderful addition to any household. At times they will even tolerate dogs.

Appearance: Marine Coon cats are lively, affectionate, housemates. Highly intelligent, they sometimes act like dogs, fetching and waiting at the door for their people’s arrival. Quite large, they have long, silky fur that is shaggy. The all-weather coat keeps them comfortable in all seasons (but, of course, wisest to keep these beauties inside at all times.) Males are quite a bit larger than females, but their thick coat (2 to 3 inches in the winter) makes them look even larger.

Standard: These large- boned cats reach 16 to 19 pounds in males, with females normally weighing 8 to 12 pounds. The cats come in many colors and coat patterns, the most common being brown tabby. Other colors include solids, parti-colors, bi-colors, tabbies with white, shaded and shaded with white. Any amount of white is allowed for show-quality cats. They have large ears, high cheekbones and large, widely set, almond-shaped eyes that come in several colors. They have tufts between their toes and on their ears. Males have especially strong necks. The tail should be at least as long as the body from the shoulders to the base of the tail, and it is held high.

Grooming: Weekly brushing is sufficient for this longhaired breed. Maine Coons seldom develop mats, but owners should watch for hairballs, as Maine Coons tend to groom themselves often.

Health: For this breed, the most common inherited health problems are hip dysplasia, which can produce lameness, and cardiomyopathy, which can produce anything from a minor heart murmur to serious heart trouble. The breed’s typical life is nine to 15 years, but indoor cats can live longer.

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