Breeds: Maine Coon

Maine Coon Cat
Maine coon cats originated, obviously enough, in Maine. The name derives from their resemblance to raccoons: enormous tail, distinct markings and larger than average size. According to legend, they are descended from long-haired tabbies, barn and farm cats that went feral centuries ago, although in some quarters the myth persists that they sprang from the unholy union of raccoon and cat. Another theory has it that the original cats were the pets of sailors and somehow survived shipwrecks off the rocky Maine coast. In any event, once in the wild, natural selection shaped the progenitors of our modem specimen. The tenacious long hair and greater size certainly appear to be accommodations to the harsh New England winters and authentic perils of life in the wild. Since planned breedings of Maine coons are relatively recent, these cats still hold their strong, rugged qualities.

Unlike other longhairs-Himalayans or Persians, for example-Maine coons do not require intense grooming since they lack the undercoats typical of most long-haired breeds. If you've ever owned a Persian, you know de-matting can be a time-consuming and maddening proposition, probably sufficient to drive you straight into the Maine coon cat camp.

The Maine Coon has always been admired for its beauty, and a Maine Coon was chosen Best Cat at the first major cat show ever held in this country. The transition from easygoing farm cat to CFA finalist was not an easy one, nor did it happen quickly. Although they lost favor and were conspicuously absent from shows for quite a long time, we are now seeing large classes of these beauties in most cat shows and it is not unusual for a Maine Coon to be named "Best Cat."

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