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With their sweet temperament, bushy tails and longhaired shaggy coats, Maine Coon cats are one of the most recognisable and popular domesticated cat breeds, ranking third most popular in both CFA and GCCF registrations.
History/Origin
Even before the first official cat shows were held in the United States in the 1890s, they appeared in special competitions at agricultural shows in New England in the 1860s.
A natural breed, it was named the official state cat of Maine, where it originated, and was highly prized as a hunter of vermin. They evolved as sturdy working cats, with their physique and coat suited to the climate of the region. At the first major cat show held in the United States, at Madison Square Garden in New York in May 1895, a brown tabby Maine Coon female called Cosey was chosen as ‘Best Cat’. The silver collar and medal awarded to Cosey is now on display at the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) headquarters in Ohio.
With the rise in popularity of the glamorous Persian in the early 20th century, the Maine Coon fell out of favour and in 1959 they were declared extinct by CFA. However, reports of the breed’s demise were greatly exaggerated, enthusiasts had continued to keep the breed, especially in rural areas. During the 1940s and 50s, one person in particular, Mrs Ethelyn Whittemore, of Augusta, Maine, maintained careful hand-written records of her cats and their progeny — her family had always kept the breed — and Whittemore cats were acquired by other catteries interested in promoting and maintaining the breed. In 1976, their perseverance paid off when the breed was accepted for championship status by CFA.
How big to Maine Coons get?
The breed is large, long haired and handsome, and the biggest domestic breed to be recognised by GCCF. They are weighty and muscular, females can weigh 12 pounds whilst males can weigh up to 18-20 pounds. The Guinness World Records title for the longest cat is a Maine Coon called Barivel, measuring 120cm (3ft 11.2 ins) from nose to tail tip!
Coat and Colour
The coat consists of an undercoat covered by a more substantial glossy top coat. The fur is shorter on the head, neck, and shoulders, and increases in length down the back, flanks, and tail. They should have full shaggy breeches and belly fur. A frontal ruff begins at the base of the ears, and is heavier in males than females, and the tail fur is long, profuse, and flowing.
The breed is recognised in a variety of solid colours, including black, white, tortoiseshell, tabby (orange) colours in classic and mackerel patterns, with or without silver. Shaded and smoke colours, bi-colour, and parti-colours are also recognised. However, they can be found in a whole range of colours and patterns.