The Maine Coon is considered a native American breed that occurred naturally in the north-eastern areas of the United States and in north-eastern Canada.
Gentle and affectionate, Maine Coons make excellent pets and family members.
The Maine Coon cat is the largest of all pedigree breeds. Known for its impressive size and outstanding personality, the Maine Coon takes three to four years to achieve full growth, with males averaging 6 to 8 kilos and females proportionally smaller at 4 to 6 kilos, though many have been known to be larger.
The Maine Coon has a medium-wide head with high cheekbones, a squarish muzzle and a strong chin. Their eyes are obliquely set, usually green or gold but sometimes copper.
They sport large ears that are wide at the base tapering to a lynx-tipped point that are set high on the head about an ears width apart at the base. They feature striking, bobcat-like tufts that curl out to the sides of the head from within the ears.
The Maine Coon has a low-maintenance, semi-long flowing coat. The coat does not have a large amount of undercoat and has evolved with a large frontal ruff, quite short-over the shoulders, heavy and shaggy down the back and sides, ending in beautiful pantaloons on the cat's hind legs.
One of the most impressive characteristics of the Maine Coon is its tail. Full at the base and taping to a point with long guard hairs that flow when the cat walks, the tail has enough undercoat to make it bushy and full.
Since 1976, all cat associations in America have recognised the breed for championship status. Currently the Maine Coon cat is experiencing a tremendous surge in popularity all around the world.
Maine Coons come in a variety of patterns and colours. So much variety in the Maine Coon colour/pattern exists that, every cat lover can find a cat to suit his or her colour and pattern preference.
Gentle and affectionate, Maine Coons make excellent pets and family members.
The Maine Coon cat is the largest of all pedigree breeds. Known for its impressive size and outstanding personality, the Maine Coon takes three to four years to achieve full growth, with males averaging 6 to 8 kilos and females proportionally smaller at 4 to 6 kilos, though many have been known to be larger.
The Maine Coon has a medium-wide head with high cheekbones, a squarish muzzle and a strong chin. Their eyes are obliquely set, usually green or gold but sometimes copper.
They sport large ears that are wide at the base tapering to a lynx-tipped point that are set high on the head about an ears width apart at the base. They feature striking, bobcat-like tufts that curl out to the sides of the head from within the ears.
The Maine Coon has a low-maintenance, semi-long flowing coat. The coat does not have a large amount of undercoat and has evolved with a large frontal ruff, quite short-over the shoulders, heavy and shaggy down the back and sides, ending in beautiful pantaloons on the cat's hind legs.
One of the most impressive characteristics of the Maine Coon is its tail. Full at the base and taping to a point with long guard hairs that flow when the cat walks, the tail has enough undercoat to make it bushy and full.
Since 1976, all cat associations in America have recognised the breed for championship status. Currently the Maine Coon cat is experiencing a tremendous surge in popularity all around the world.
Maine Coons come in a variety of patterns and colours. So much variety in the Maine Coon colour/pattern exists that, every cat lover can find a cat to suit his or her colour and pattern preference.
Finding a breeder of Maine Coons is a simple task. Finding a good breeder of Maine Coons is much more of a challenge. Maine Coons have become enormously popular and with that comes more breeders. But not all breeders are equal. Below are some recommendations of what to look for in a good breeder. The top 4 on the list are considered your main priority when looking for a breeder. Below those are helpful recommendations.
Look for These Things |
Why it is Important |
*Health Testing Program |
A good breeder will have a testing program for all breeding cats that includes: DNA testing for heritable diseases - matings that could cause genetic diseases can be avoided. Regular Heart Ultrasounds for HCM - DNA knowledge for HCM is limited so a DNA negative cat can still develop fatal heart disease. Hip Scoring - Breeding cats should have hips xrayed and scored for Hip Dysplasia. Cats with a high score should not be bred from. |
*Membership of a Governing Body that issues official registration and pedigrees |
If a breeder is not a member of a Governing Body in their State then they are not a registered breeder breeding certified purebred pedigree kittens. |
*Kittens issued with a certified pedigree by a Governing Body |
A certified pedigree issued by the breeder's Governing Body ensures you have purchased a purebred pedigree Maine Coon. |
*Kitten Sales Contract |
A Kitten Contract sets out the responsibilities and expectations of the breeder and kitten owner. This contract should include the details of the kitten, including the microchip number and what health guarantee is in place. |
Website |
A website displays information in a more structured way than a social media account. You will be able to move through the site looking through the breeder's cattery information learning about each breeding cat, the breeder themselves and much more. |
Listing registered names of breeding cats on website |
A good breeder lists the correct registered pedigree name of each cat. These are the names that will appear on your kitten's pedigrees not the pet name of the cats. Pet names can be referenced in the information under the registered names. |
Cat Show Experience |
A breeder who has regularly shown their cats will be a keen study of the Maine Coon Breed Standard. Breeders should be producing Maine Coon kittens that look like Maine Coons and conform with the Breed Standard. |
Member of UMCFA |
A breeder who is a member of UMCFA has agreed to abide by a Code of Ethics that will ensure a Testing Program is in place in their Breeding Program |