All about Maine Coon cats ...

Maine coon cats are the largest domesticated breed of cat in the world. They are also one of the oldest natural breeds of cat found in North America. There are no exact records of their origin, but they were first written about in the 1860's. They are the official state cat in Maine, USA.

Maine coons are known as the gentle giant of the cat world. They are revered for how social and affectionate they can be. They are often described as "being more like dogs than cats". Maine coons have above average intelligence and are even able to be trained! They are a relaxed breed, and tend to remain playful well into their adult years. Maine coons have an unusual fascination with water, which is speculated to be a personality trait passed down from their ancestors who often lived aboard ships. They can be a vocal breed of cat, with a unique range of sounds that goes far beyond just a traditional meow. 

Maine coons are known for their distinctive good looks. The first thing people tend to notice about them is their size. An adult male weighs between 15-25 lbs on average and a female can average between 10-15 lbs. Because they are considered a giant breed, they do take a long time to reach their full adult size - they can grow until they are 4/5 years old! Maine coons have striking features including tufted ears that gives them a lynx-like appearance, large fluffy tails, furred paws, long flowy coats, a rectangle shaped body and a square shaped muzzle. The majority of Maine Coons also exhibit a ruff that grows as the cat matures - this is the fur around their neck that gives the appearance of a lion's mane. Some Maine Coons are polydactyl meaning they are born with extra toes, this is an inherited trait. We currently have one female polydactyl queen that can produce polydactyl kittens. Maine Coons come in a wide variety of colors.

The ancestral origins of the Maine Coon are actually unknown, however there is a lot of speculation and even folk tales about the breed. Likely one of the most popular stories involves Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France who was famously executed in 1793. It is said that before her death, she attempted to flee France with the help of a Captain named Samuel Clough. She apparently loaded his ship with her most prized possessions which included six of her favorite cats - rumored to be either Turkish Angora or Siberian cats. It is said that although she did not make the journey, the ship sailed on to the shores of Maine in the United States, where her cats landed and bred with other breeds there, developing into the Maine Coon we know today!

The first mention of a Maine Coon in recorded history happened in 1861 - in "The Book of the Cat" written by Frances Simpson. In May 1895, the very first North American cat show was hosted at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. A female Maine Coon, a brown tabby named Cosey was awarded Best in Show.

Maine coon cats hold several Guinness World records such as Longest Living Cat, Longest Cat Ever and Longest Tail. Check out the following links for more information:

Longest Cat (general article)

Longest Cat Living Record 

Longest Cat Ever Record 

Longest Tail Record Video

Fun fact: Mrs. Norris, the cat owned by Filch in the Harry Potter series, was played by multiple cats but most notably by a Maine Coon cat named Pebbles who is featured in the scenes of Mrs. Norris pacing the hallways of Hogwarts!

Maine coon cats originating from Europe are often described as having a more "wild" look. They can be larger and have more distinct features. American bred Maine Coon cats are described as having a "softer" appearance with more refined features.