Maine Coon

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Maine Coon
Image:White Maine Coon.jpg
Country of origin
United States
Breed standards (external links)
CFA, ACFA, TICA, CCA,
ACF, GCCF, FIFe

The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for their intelligence, playfulness as well as distinctive physical appearance. The breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and originated from New England.

Contents

Origin

In the 17th and 18th centuries, domestic cats brought over from Europe faced very severe winters in New England where only the strongest and most adaptable cats survived. Through natural selection (as opposed to selective breeding), the Maine Coon developed into a large, rugged cat with a water-resistant, thick coat and a hardy constitution. The origin of the breed (and its name) has several (often fantastic) stories surrounding it. One comes from a legend that a domestic cat released in the wilds of Maine interbred with a raccoon, resulting in offspring with the Maine Coon's characteristics. Though this is biologically impossible, this myth, bolstered by the bushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) probably led to the adoption of the name 'Maine Coon.' Another popular story is that the breed 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. However, 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). Maine Coons resemble their European counterparts, the Norwegian Forest Cats.

Physical characteristics

Maine Coons are very large (but energetic) cats, sometimes weighing 11.3 kilograms (25 pounds); the average weight is 6 to 9 kilograms (13-20 pounds) for adult males and less for females. Growth to of full size often takes longer than for most cats, with Maine Coons usually reaching full size at age three or four (most cats reach full size before age two).

The most common color/pattern in the breed is brown with tabby markings. Maine Coons are recognized in all colors except for chocolate, lavender, ticked tabby, and the point-restricted ("Siamese") pattern. Eye color also varies widely. All patterns may have green, green-gold, or gold. Blue eyes, or one blue eye with one gold eye, are possible in white coat cats.

Maine Coons have medium-long, dense fur, with longer hair, or a ruff, on their chests similar to the mane of a lion (which is why the breed is sometimes spelled "Mane Coon"). Their fur consists of two layers - a typical undercoat and an additional layer of guard hairs, which gives the breed their key physical feature. The fur is generally very soft. They have long hair on the backs of their legs and between their toes which assist in keeping warm in the snow. They have bushy tails and broad heads (the heads of males are typically larger than females) with wide-set ears marked with tufts of fur. Most Maine Coons keep their fur in good order without extensive grooming, but due to the length and quantity of hair, most Maine Coons require a simple brushing once a week. While the Coon may be polydactyl, having one or more extra toes on their paws, this trait is generally bred out, as it has been rejected by the standard.

Image:Coon.jpg Image:Awoken Enki.JPG Image:Ashesrey95reduced.jpg Image:Maine coon red.jpg

Behavioral characteristics

Maine Coons are a breed distinguished by intelligence, dexterity and playfulness. They have a tendency to use their front paws extensively (often curling the paw round to pick objects up) and as a consequence will easily learn to open cabinet doors, turn on water faucets, or pick up small objects. Some Maine Coons will eat with their paws, rather than eating from the bowl itself.

Due to their above-average intelligence, Maine Coons are known to be one of the easiest cat breeds to train. Maine Coons are generally very quiet and do not meow much. However, they are noted for their ability to trill their meows, which sounds like a combination of a purr and a meow, and they tend to make this sound when happy or startled. Maine Coons are a very independent breed, and they do not often "beg" for attention. However, they are noted for rarely eating alone, preferring to eat in the company of other cats or humans. Maine Coons are usually not considered to be "lap" cats, and many Maine Coons, possibly due to their weight, may not be comfortable with sitting on a person's lap or chest. Though this may depend on the personality of the individual cat.

Some Maine Coons enjoy playing with, but not usually in, water. They may dip toys in their water bowls before playing with them, or just tip the water bowl over. They may also skim their paws across the surface of their water bowl. Maine Coons occasionally engage in mischievous behavior when bored, such as deliberately pushing things off tables and the tops of fridges with their paws.

Maine Coons can be very dog-like in their behavior. Playing fetch is a favorite game. As with dogs, they will bring their ball, drop it at the feet of their intended playmate and wait patiently for the ball to be thrown.

Health Considerations

A genetic predisposition towards hypertrophic cardiomyopathy appeared in some genetic lines of the Maine Coon population. In extreme cases, this condition can result in the sudden death of what appears to be an otherwise healthy animal. It can be detected by regular cardiac ultrasounds of pets between the ages of 3 and 6, when the pets are at highest risk. Most of the pedigreed Maine Coon breeding population has been screened for HCM lately, some for four or more generations, in an effort to reduce its occurence. Many breeders now track this information and make it available to potential pet buyers. Taurine deficiency has also been shown to be a cause of cardiomyopathy in Maine Coons.

Other potential health problems include hip dysplasia and Polycystic Kidney Disease. However, Maine Coons are generally quite healthy and resilient animals.

External links

Retrieved from "http://en.freepedia.org/Maine_Coon.html"


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