| Like many older breeds, the origin of | | | | Maine Coons do enjoy their human |
| the Maine Coon is unclear and steeped in | | | | companions, but do not need their |
| rumor. Some believe Maine Coons, also | | | | attention. They prefer instead, to spend |
| known as American Longhair, American | | | | time with them in the same room, but not |
| Shag, American Forest Cat, American | | | | necessarily to interact. They are not a |
| Snughead and Maine Trick Cat, are a | | | | lap cap, and can be quiet independent, |
| cross between semi-domestic wild cats | | | | but will follow people into other rooms |
| and raccoons (doubtful if not | | | | to be near them. Unlike many breeds, |
| impossible). Others believe that Marie | | | | Maine Coons do not like to jump or perch |
| Antoinette sent her beloved Angoras to | | | | in high places, instead preferring to |
| America for safety. They escaped and | | | | chase things on the ground. |
| inbred with wild cats. Still others | | | | Some Maine Coons can be trained to play |
| believe a cat was brought to Maine by | | | | fetch and generally do well with |
| Captain Coon and the cat escaped to live | | | | children, thanks to their loving nature. |
| in the wilds of Maine. | | | | This breed is generally healthy but can |
| Whatever the origins, it is generally | | | | be prone to hip dysplasia and |
| agreed that the Maine Coon is the one of | | | | cardiomyopathy. Some Maine Coons are |
| the oldest Native American breed of cat | | | | born with an extra toe, though this does |
| and they were an established domestic | | | | not mean anything for them medically, it |
| and hunting cat by the 1800s, but were | | | | will only disqualify them from being |
| not recognized as an actual breed of cat | | | | shown. |
| until 1967. Maine Coons are a hearty | | | | There is a website that has great |
| breed due to the New England winters | | | | information on Maine Coon and most other |
| they endured early on. This has resulted | | | | breeds of cats. It has details that |
| in a semi-long shaggy coat in almost all | | | | pertain to a cat breeds health, |
| colors that makes it look like a wild | | | | grooming, living conditions, best food |
| Lynx. This coat does require regular | | | | choices and more, the website is called: |
| grooming, which is enjoyed by the cat. | | | | Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at |
| Maine Coons males will reach an average | | | | this url: |
| weight of thirteen to eighteen pounds | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| and females of nine to twelve pounds, | | | | Copyright © 2007 |
| though with their thick coats, they may | | | | You may publish this article in your |
| look larger. They mature slowly and are | | | | ezine, newsletter, or on your web site |
| not considered adult until somewhere | | | | as long as it is reprinted in its |
| between ages three and five (when they | | | | entirety and without modification except |
| stop growing) and will live | | | | for formatting needs or grammar |
| approximately twelve years. | | | | corrections. |