Maine Coon - The World's Greatest Cat Breed

Based on to the current knowledge, Maine "Coon" (raccoon -) cats have bred from cats that sailors brought to the northeast state of Maine in the U.S. As a result of cross-breeding and because of hard winters, developed a strong, massive, thick-haired cat breed, whose individuals had a wide range of colors and patterns. Maine Coon is a breed that has born by itself, on a natural way, not by human breeding.

Maine Coon has been declared as the official State Cat in state of Maine in U.S. on 10th of April in 1985. In 1953 was founded the Central Maine Cat Club Association. The association began to organize annual cat exhibitions, in which was elected "the best cat of Maine State". Cat shows to Maine Coons have had held well before the first cat show held in Madison Square Garden in 1895. Coons first came to Europe in the mid-1970s. To Finland Coons arrived in 1989 from Denmark to Anja Lintuneva / Huvikummun cattery in Pälkäne.

Maine Coons get attached to their owner and they need attention and a playmate. They like the fact that there is action around them and, if necessary, they know how to organize it themselves. Maine Coon is a very dog-like breed and it will get along well with other animals. Coons often loves playing like dogs: they love all kinds of chasing -, hiding - and ambushing plays, and many Coons will even learn to retrieve goods.

Maine Coons body is muscular and chest wide. Body is long, legs are strong and muscular. Paws are wide and round. Between the toes must be a tuft of hair. The tail has to be as long as the cat, reaching to shoulders. Hair in the tail is thick and long. Face should be a medium-long, cheekbones high and head square-shaped. In the profile is a gently sloping depression, and the forehead is slightly curved. When viewed from the side, cats chin is strong and in line with nose and upper lip. Ears are large and on the tips of the ears are tufts of hair. Hair grows from the inside of the ear. Eyes are oval, and they must have the famous "owl glance".

Coons are found in all colors and color combinations. The are such colors and patterns as tigers, tabbys, spotted, one-colored (also called "solids"), completely white and so called smoked colors, etc. Maine Coons hair is thick: it is short from shoulders and long from stomach and hind legs. A collar is desirable. Maine Coon -males weigh from six to eight kilos, but they can weigh up to ten kilos or more. Females usually weigh four to six kilos. Coon is a fully grown-up until the age of three. Despite the great size, Maine Coon is a lovely, playful and a teachable breed.