The History of the Maine Coon Cat

Where did they come from?

Once upon a time they were known as “Shag Cats”

First we can discuss the theory of the domestic cat and the raccoon. Maine Coon cats have a fur type that resembles that of a raccoon. So it was thought that the ancestry was a cross between a domestic cat and a raccoon. However, as we know now this of course is genetically impossible. Another thought that came up was that a domestic cat crossbred with a bobcat.  Could this have happened?

The reality is, nobody really knows how the Maine Coon cat came to be.

Some think Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France brought her six Turkish Angora by boat when she tried to escape France. She never made the boat because she was executed in 1793, but her cats did. When her cats docked in Maine they bred with the domestic cats in Maine. Or did they?

Another theory is, Captain Charles Coon brought his cats with him when he ported Maine and his cat’s bred with the domestic cats before he sailing out again. Was it Captain Coon who helped to create the Maine Coon we have today?

Others argue Maine Coon cats are originally Viking cats.

No matter what you believe though through time the beautiful majestic Maine Coon we have today was created.

Maine Coon and America

The Maine Coon was a working cat during the 1800’s. Farmers used them to keep rodents under control and the cats lived outdoors in barns. These cats were mainly outdoor cats and the reason their coat became as amazing as it is. In 1895 a dozen Maine Coon were entered for the first time into a cat show in Boston and a female Maine Coon brown tabby won the silver collar for Best in Show.

In the years to come the Persian cat came into popularity and the Maine Coon was rarely seen. The decline in the population was so severe that in 1950’s the breed was declared as extinct. The Central Maine Cat Club was created in early 1950’s by Ethylin Whittemore, Alta Smith and Ruby Dyer in an attempt to save the breed. They are who created the first written breed standards for the Coon.

Maine Coon Standards by CFA

GENERAL: originally a working cat, the Maine Coon is solid, rugged, and can endure a harsh climate. A distinctive characteristic is its smooth, shaggy coat. A well proportioned and balanced appearance with no part of the cat being exaggerated. Quality should never be sacrificed for size. With an essentially amiable disposition, it has adapted to varied environments.

HEAD SHAPE: medium in width and slightly longer in length than width with a squareness to the muzzle. Allowance should be made for broadening in older studs. Cheekbones high.

MUZZLE/CHIN: is visibly square, medium in length and blunt ended when viewed in profile. It may give the appearance of being a rectangle but should not appear to be tapering or pointed. Length and width of the muzzle should be proportionate to the rest of the head and present a pleasant, balanced appearance. The chin should be strong, firm and in line with the upper lip and nose. When viewed in profile the chin depth should be observable and give the impression of a square, 90-degree angle. A chin lacking in depth, i.e. one that tapers from the jaw line to the lip, is not considered strong, firm or desirable.

PROFILE: should be proportionate to the overall length of the head and should exhibit a slight concavity when viewed in profile. The profile should be relatively smooth and free of pronounced bumps and/or humps. A profile that is straight from the brow line to the tip of the nose is not acceptable, nor should the profile show signs of having a “break” or “stop.”

EARS: Shape: large, well-tufted, wide at base, tapering to appear pointed. Set: approximately one ear’s width apart at the base; not flared.

EYES: large, expressive, wide set with an opened oval shape. Slightly oblique setting with slant toward outer base of ear.

NECK: medium long.

BODY SHAPE: muscular, broad-chested. Size medium to large. Females generally are smaller than males. The body should be long with all parts in proportion to create a well-balanced rectangular appearance with no part of the anatomy being so exaggerated as to foster weakness. Allowance should be made for slow maturation.

https://cfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/maine-coon-standard.pdf