| Maine coon cats are an American classic, a | | | | them an advantage against competitors as well |
| contribution to our history and culture that | | | | as predators.Maine coons, with their heavy |
| only Maine could provide. This hardy, | | | | coats, are well suited to the harsh New |
| handsome breed of domestic cat was | | | | England winters. Adult Maine coons have a |
| established at least 150 years ago, and its | | | | three-layer coat; in winter, their undercoats |
| unique characteristics developed as it | | | | thicken. They have long guard hairs to keep |
| adapted to Maine's own unique | | | | off the snow and repel water, and a long, |
| characteristics. And as America has become a | | | | bushy tail to wrap around themselves for |
| nation of animal lovers, the Maine coon has | | | | warmth. Maine coons have large, furry feet |
| only become more appreciated.Maine coons are | | | | (all the better for walking on snow); furry, |
| one of the oldest natural breeds in North | | | | tufted ears that stay warm against the cold; |
| America and are regarded as a native of | | | | and extremely long whiskers, which help them |
| Maine. "Around the origins of the Maine Coon | | | | stay clear of brush that may entangle their |
| cat swirls a fog of legend and conjecture as | | | | long fur.According to the Maine.gov website, |
| obscuring to reality as the fogs of its | | | | "Maine coons' voices set them apart from |
| homeland," says Marilis Hornidge in That | | | | other cats; they have a distinctive, chirping |
| Yankee Cat--the Maine Coon. "Of the many | | | | trill."Initially appreciated for their rodent |
| legendary tales of the Coon cat's beginnings, | | | | hunting skills, they were also highly admired |
| the one most completely discredited is the | | | | by the families of Maine for their friendly |
| best known, the mating of the raccoon and the | | | | personalities and high intelligence, and |
| domestic house cat. This is, of course, a | | | | began to take on an important role as pets. |
| physical impossibility."Most Maine coon | | | | As they became a more important part of New |
| breeders believe that the breed originated | | | | England culture, it became a popular pastime |
| from matings between pre-existing shorthaired | | | | for families to admire, pamper, and brag |
| domestic cats and longhaired types brought to | | | | about their cats.In the mid-19th century, the |
| America from overseas by New England seamen | | | | Maine coon became a special exhibit at many |
| or by Vikings. We know from history that the | | | | county fairs in Maine, thus becoming |
| old sailing ships kept cats for rodent | | | | America's very first "show cat." Maine coons |
| control, and Maine was a commerce area, so it | | | | come in almost all colors; although the |
| is not difficult to imagine how this could | | | | classic brown tabby may be the first that |
| happen.Maine coons are tall, muscular, | | | | comes to mind, they can be red tabby, silver |
| big-boned cats, with a long, rectangular body | | | | tabby, tortoiseshell, black and white--almost |
| and deep chest. Males commonly reach 13 to 18 | | | | anything except the Siamese pattern and a few |
| pounds; females, normally about nine to 12; | | | | others.As Cat Fancy Magazine says, "Maine |
| they may continue to grow until three to five | | | | coons are a furry piece of American |
| years of age. They have long muzzles and long | | | | history."Lisa J. |
| teeth. All of these traits would have given | | | | |