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.
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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!
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2007-03-28 11:54:33
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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