Maine Coon Characteristics

A Cat Breed Unlike Any Other!

(ARTICLE PARTIALLY TAKEN FROM MAINECOON CAT NATION WEBSITE)

 

 

 

 

Starting from the top

One of the most defining Maine Coon characteristics would be the ears. They are large and wide, with long tufts coming out of them, and lynx-like tufts on the tips. The ears of a young Maine Coon kitten who hasn't quite grown into them are nothing less than adorable!

The face of these cats has an intelligent expression. When you look right into their large and round green, gold or copper eyes, it seems they really connect with you.

A white cat might have blue or odd-colored eyes. The nose is noted for being straight, not at all flat such as other long-haired breeds.

They are frequently described as having a feral expression. This term, meaning wild or untamed, goes completely against their actual temperament, which is mild, sweet and loving.

You may find some breeders noting their cats have the "feral look" while others say they breed for the "sweet look." Do check out some pictures of their breeding stock, as these differences have definitely arisen.

 

 

The Body

When talking about Maine Coon characteristics, size is always mentioned. This is perhaps the most famous of all Maine Coon characteristics. No doubt about it, they are big cats! So how big do they get? Well, a male usually weighs in at 17-22 pounds, and a female at 12-13. There seem to be stories everywhere of cats weighing 25, even 30 pounds.

 

Bear in mind that this is the exception, not the rule. Most responsible breeders won't focus on breeding primarily for size. Any litter will have larger and smaller than average kittens.

One of these kitties of the usual size, with that sturdy body and shaggy fur, will be quite a specimen to behold.

Also, they usually don't reach it's full size until around three years of age. They are slow to mature. And by that time you'll be so attached, it won't really matter.

The body is described as rectangular. It's a strong, sturdy body, well proportioned. The neck is medium long, the chest is full, legs are medium, all contributing to a balanced appearance. Nothing is overemphasized or out of proportion.

 

 

Extremities

Another defining characteristic is large feet with tufts of fur coming out of them. They are quite unusual, and most would agree, endearing. Speaking of feet, many people wonder where to find one that is a polydactyl. "Back in the day," many were polydactyl, or double-pawed. It's a characteristic treasured by many.

When they were accepted into the cat fancy, it became necessary for this recessive gene to be "weeded out". Then they would conform to the newly established breed standard, and become prize-winning show cats! This beloved characteristic is still carried on by a few breeders, although the kittens won't be shown.

The most magnificent of the Maine Coon characteristics would have to be that unbelievable tail. Like the feathers of a peacock, it is his pride and joy, his trademark which can be duplicated by none other. This is a tail that has to be seen to be believed. It's full, long, and heavy. It drags along the ground behind him much like a fancy feather-duster!

 

 

 

The Coat

It's easy to see why this breed has been referred to as a "Shag". The shaggy coat is longer and softer underneath. It's smooth and water-repellent on the top. Since it is not all one length like other long-haired cats, the lovely colors don't look uniform. Instead, there is dimension to the coats colors and pattern.

 

The fur around the neck is called the ruff. It really does resemble the mane of a lion! The ruff is another decorative accent to an already beautiful cat.

Speaking of colors, the range of colors is impressive! Patterns can be solid, tabby, tortie or torbie (a tortoiseshell with stripes of colors instead of patches).

Colors range from white to black and everything in between! The only patterns you won't find would be solid brown, lavender, pointed patterns or ticked patterns. Looking upon one of these beauties, their natural heritage is quite apparent!

 

 

 

Personality

There is so much to say about the awesome personality, that we have a whole section devoted to it.

They will look you straight in the eyes, and proceed to talk to you. This interaction contributes to their intelligent appearance.

Some words that come to mind are goofy, loving, sweet, cuddly, loud, friendly, demanding of attention, and family-oriented, among others.

The breed standard describes every aspect of the Maine Coon characteristics - physically. From size, and shape to color.

Each one of these traits should blend in to the "whole cat", so that all you see is a beautiful animal.

So you won't look upon a Maine Coon cat and be struck by one characteristics in particular. They should all come together, with balance, into one handsome cat.

Of course they are fluffy, and big, and beautiful. But what makes them so unique? For those who have owned a one of these special friends it's all so clear. And then, to put it into words takes a little more time.

Of course, every cat is special. Each has his own unique qualities, Coon or not. Our lives wouldn't be quite the same without them. Hopefully you've enjoyed this round-up of Maine Coon characteristics!

 

 

 

Health

Maine Coons are generally a healthy and hardy breed and have evolved to survive the New England climate. The most severe threat is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart disease seen in cats, whether pure bred or not. In Maine Coons, it is thought to be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Middle-aged to older cats as well as males are thought to be predisposed to the disease. HCM is a progressive disease and can result in heart failure, paralysis of the hind legs due to clot embolization originating in the heart, and sudden death. A specific mutation that causes HCM is seen in Maine Coons for which testing services are offered. Of all the Maine Coons tested for the MyBPC mutation at the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Lab at the College of Veterinary Medicine located at Washington State University, approximately one-third tested positive. Not all cats that tested positive will have clinical signs of the disease and some Maine Coon cats with clinical evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy test negative for this mutation, strongly suggesting that a second mutation exists in the breed. Ultrasound of the throat is thought to be a more reliable method for weeding HCM out of the Maine Coon population.

 

Another potential health problem is spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), another genetically inherited disease which causes the loss of the neurons in the spinal cord that activate the skeletal muscles of the trunk and limbs. Symptoms are normally seen within 3–4 months of age and result in muscle atrophy, muscle weakness, and a shortened life span. A test is offered to detect the genes responsible for SMA.

Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint which can cause crippling lameness and arthritis. The cats most commonly affected with hip dysplasia tend to be males of the larger, big-boned breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons. This is similar to the situation with dogs, but the relatively smaller size and weight of cats frequently results in symptoms that are less pronounced. X-rays submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) between 1974 and 2009 indicates that 24.1% of Maine Coons in the database were dysplastic. The Maine Coon is the only cat breed listed in the database.

 

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a slowly progressive disease that is possible among Maine Coons and was thought to plague only the Persian and Persian-related breeds. Symptoms typically occur around seven years of age and the effects are incurable. PKD generally leads to renal failure and is genetically inherited, so careful screening and testing are the only ways to prevent the disease from occurring.