A number of legends surround its origin. A wide-spread, though biologically impossible belief is that it originated from matings between semi-wild, domestic cats and raccoons. This myth, bolstered by the bushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) led to the adoption of the name Maine Coon. Originally, only brown tabbies were called Maine Coon Cats; cats of other colors were referred to as Maine Shags.

Another popular theory is that the Maine 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. 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). Interestingly, the breed closest to the Maine Coon is the Norwegian Forest Cat which, although geographically distant, evolved in much the same climate, and lends credence to the theory that some of the cats responsible for developing the Maine Coon were brought over by the Vikings.

First recorded in cat literature in 1861 with a mention of a black and white cat named "Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines". Maine Coons were popular competitors at early cat shows in Boston and New York. A brown tabby female named "Cosie" won Best Cat at the 1895 Madison Square Garden Show.

Maine Coons develop slowly, and don't achieve their full size until they are three to five years old. Their dispositions remain kittenish throughout their lives; they are big, gentle, good-natured cats. Even their voices set them apart from other cats; they have a distinctive, chirping trill which they use for everything from courting to cajoling their people into playing with them. Maine Coons love to play, and many will joyfully retrieve small items. They rarely meow, and when they do, that soft, tiny voice doesn't fit their size.

While Maine Coons are highly people-oriented cats, they are not overly-dependent. They do not constantly pester you for attention, but prefer to "hang out" with their owners, investigating whatever activity you're involved in and "helping" when they can. They are not, as a general rule, known as "lap cats" but as with any personality trait there are a few Maine Coons that prefer laps. Most Maine Coons will stay close by, probably occupying the chair next to yours instead. Maines will follow you from room to room and wait outside a closed door for you to emerge. A Maine Coon will be your companion, your buddy, your pal, but hardly ever your baby.

Maine Coons are relaxed and easy-going in just about everything they do. The males tend to be the clowns while the females retain more dignity, but both remain playful throughout their lives. The Maine Coon Cat is well known for its loving nature, kindly disposition and great intelligence. Maines are especially good with children, dogs and other cats and have always been a popular and sought after companion.

They are not as vertically-oriented as some other breeds, preferring to chase objects on the ground and grasping them in their large paws - no doubt instincts developed as professional mousers.

Although brown tabby remains the most popular pattern today, Maine Coons can wear coats of any color except for solid chocolate, lavender or pointed patterns.

Myths and reality

Another of the colorful myths was the romantic tale of Captain Samuel Clough of Wiscasset, Maine and Marie Antoinette, Queen of France and her royal cats. At the time of the Revolution there were plans to ship the Queen and some of her household belongings from France to America. Captain Clough was hired to transport the Queen's possessions over to America. In addition to her china, silver and furniture were loaded six of the Queen's longhaired cats. Upon arrival in America the goods were put in to store but it soon became apparent that the Queen would not be leaving France so, in the absence of anyone likely to claim the furniture, it was distributed amongst Captain Clough's relatives. The cats were than set free and proceeded to do what came naturally to them, their offspring are said today to be the royal ancestor's of the Maine Coon.

The third myth was concerning a much more ordinary English sea Captain, Captain Coon! Captain Coon operated at trading ship in the early days of the colonies, he was, like many sailors, extremely fond of cats. He traded all along the New England coast and obviously when stepping a shore to trade, his feline friends took the opportunity of taking a little shore-leave of their own! These cats were the early longhaired Persians and Angoras which were at the time very popular in England. Quite understandably his cats mated with the local population and some longhaired kittens began to appear which the locals named Coons cats. As they were so unusual (there were no native longhaired cats in America before this time. In fact, there the only domestic cats in the USA arrived with early European settlers), there were extremely highly prized and people began to deliberately mate one with another and this is how the Maine Coon was supposed to have started! In reality the Maine Coon appears to have developed to cope with the harsh climate. But, as explained before, the longhaired gene from the cats of European settlers must also have played its part. The coat is glossy, heavy and water resistant with marked difference between the winter and summer coats. They have the a full ruff, longer in the males, and the hair is also longer on the stomach, they also have a rather splendid pair of britches! This long hair, it is believed, is there to protect against the snow. The shoulders, head and back are shorter so that it does not snag when walking through the bushes. However, the coat is fairly maintenance free, with the exception of the winter moult when the coat sheds. The Maine Coons other protective qualities are the huge plumy tail which can be used to wrap around his body against the winter cold. His ears also more heavily furred and his big round feet act as a kind of snowshoe, especially as the paw tufts extend backwards to flick off the soft snow preventing it collecting between the pads, which could cause frost-bite. It also believed that the large ears and eyes have evolved for increased awareness.

Size

The size of the Maine Coon has been much exaggerated with stories of over 30 or 40 pound cats! In reality they are indeed very large, tall, heavy boned, muscular cats, but perhaps with the addition of the heavy coat has led to people perceiving them as much larger than they actually are. Like most stories, they tend to become more colourful and exaggerated the more times they are told! Males are much larger than the Females reaching a weight when fully grown of between 13 and 18 pounds (6-8kgs) and the Females between 9 and 12 pounds (4-5.5kgs). Maine Coons develop very slowly, achieving their full size in three to four years.

VARIETY OF COLORS

There is a huge Varity of colors available in the Maine Coon in both tabby and solid patterns but not the Siamese- type pointing. There is no restriction on he eye color with the exception of the solid white which may also have blue or odd eye color ( one blue eye and one gold) which is not permitted in the other colors.

THE PERFECT PET

Finally, the Maine Coon is considered by many people and the most perfect of domestic pets with their clown like personalities, affectionate natures, insatiable curiosity and their easy-maintenance coats. They do make wonderful companions, have no objections to dogs and other animals and can easily get used to walking on a harness. A Maine Coon will not ignore you, preferring all the time to know exactly where you are and just hate being left alone with no companionship. Once you have owned a Maine Coon, to buy any other breed would just be like compromise!