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Maine Coon

Jubilee (on left) and Stardust (on right) are examples of a type of cat known as a Maine Coon. 

History:  The Maine Coon is native to Maine and is probably one of the oldest natural breeds living in North America.  The first Maine Coon cat was recognized in 1861 and was quite popular and common by 1895.  In the 1950s, the breed decreased in popularity because of the introduction of Persians from Britain.  Now, Maine Coons almost equal the number of Persians in cat registries and cat show entries today.

Appearance:  Maine Coons are one of the largest breeds of cats.  Males can typically range from 18 - 25 lbs while females are slightly smaller at 12 - 18 lbs.  They are slow to mature and won't reach their full body weight until they are 2 years old.  They have a luxurious long hair coat that does not require excessive maintenance, but should be combed at least once weekly.  They have a variety of different colors to their hair coat.  Jubilee is a classic brown tabby while Stardust is a silver mackerel tabby.  There are also blue classic and orange classic tabby colors as well.

Temperament and Personality:  Maines are extremely intelligent and mellow cats.  They are usually very quiet and can be known as "gentle giants."  They tend to be loving and enjoy affectionate companionship with both animals and people.

Medical Traits:  Maine Coons overall tend to be a relatively healthy breed since they have such a long history and are considered a "natural breed."  Since they are such a large breed of cat, they can be prone to certain orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia (which has only recently been recognized in cats), patellar luxation (knee cap dislocation), and capital physeal fractures (fractures of the femoral head near the hip joint for unknown reasons).

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