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