![]() Maine Coons have medium-long, dense fur, with longer hair, or a ruff, on their chests similar to the mane of a lion (which is why the breed is sometimes humorously called the “Mane Coon”). Blue eyes, or one blue eye with one gold eye, are possible in white coat cats. All patterns may have green, green-gold, or gold. Maine Coons are recognized in all colors except for chocolate, lavender, ticked tabby, and the point-restricted (“Siamese”) pattern. The most common color/pattern in the breed is brown with tabby markings. Maine coons are known as the gentle giant. Maine Coons’ long coats resemble their European counterparts, the Norwegian Forest Cats. However, most breeders today believe that the breed originated in matings between pre-existing short haired domestic cats and overseas longhairs (perhaps Angora types introduced by New England seamen, or longhairs brought to America by the Vikings). Though this is biologically impossible, this myth, bolstered by the bushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) probably led to the adoption of the name ‘Maine Coon.’ Another popular story is that the breed sprang from the six pet cats which Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution. One comes from a legend that a domestic cat released in the wilds of Maine interbred with a raccoon, resulting in offspring with the Maine Coon’s characteristics. The origin of the breed (and its name) has several (often fantastic) stories surrounding it. Through natural selection (as opposed to selective breeding), the Maine Coon developed into a large, rugged cat with a water-resistant, thick coat and a hardy constitution. ![]() In the 16th and 17th centuries, domestic cats brought over from Europe faced very severe winters in New England where only the strongest and most adaptable cats survived. The breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and originated from New England, making it America’s first indigenous show cat. The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its intelligence, playfulness as well as distinctive physical appearance.
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