Maine Coon: "The Gentle Giant"

A very large cat natural breed, Maine Coon are to be found in North America, the state of Maine. According to Bache Reine, the author of "Raising Cats, "Strange to say, there are comparatively few people south or west of New England who know what a coon-cat is. If you ask that question 'down in Maine,' however, the citizens will seem surprised at your ignorance, and will explain to you, in a condescending way, that the creature in question is half raccoon - the descendant of 'a cross between a 'coon and a common cat." Although this story seems physically impossible, it is an evidence of the Mainers' sense of humor and leg-pulling towards the tourists' gullible attitude.

Maine Coon weigh up to 12 kilos (24 pounds), and generally have an average weight of 6-9 (13-20 pounds) for male adults and a bit less (7-11) for female adult cats. Still male coons can raise up to one meter in length. For instance in 2006 the longest Maine Coon measured 122cm. Maine Coons generally take four or five years to reach their full size both in length and in weight.

The most frequent color or pattern for this breed is brown tabby; nevertheless, Maine Coons can have mostly any color, including the so-called tortoiseshell, safe for the Siamese pattern, lavender, chocolate or ticked tabby patterns. The color of the eyes can also differ from individual to individual. Patterns may have green, golden-green, blue eyes, or even eyes of different colors each.

Maine Coons are sometimes ironically called "Mane Coons" because their fur resembles the mane of a lion. Their fur has, like in the case of other cat breeds, two layers-a sort of undercoat and an extra layer of longer hairs which provides the breed with its typical physical appearance. Generally they have a very soft fur, and they also have long fur on their legs back (also called britches or pantaloons), and also hair between their toes, which ensures them with warmness during the cold season. Their tails are bushy, squirrel-like, and their heads have angular shape, whereas their ears have "Lynx-tips", I.e. some pieces of fur. Due to their very thick tails, the Maine Coons are sometimes defined as "the tail with a cat attached to it."

Most Maine Coons do not need any grooming from the part of their owners, as they can take extremely good care of themselves and their physique. They have large ears which are tipped at the end with hair, and this gives them the resemblance with the Lynx. Some Maine Coons may have tufts of fur growing from behind their ears on the sides of their heads. The appearance of these tufts can change over time, sometimes appearing quite large and sometimes being not all that noticeable.

Another interesting fact related to the Maine Coon is the occurrence of the polydactyl element within this type of feline. "Polydactil" refers to the physical aspect of having one or more extra toes on their paws. This feature is increasingly popular among cat breeders as they thus can show more dexterity in their movements as well as more intelligence than those with normal feet. Such Maine Coons often bear the nickname of "snowshoe", because they can walk through snow more easily. Yet in most cases they are simply called "polys."

Although Maine Coons are an original Native breed, with its origins going back in ancient times, nowadays breed has certainly been touched by the human science of improving animal breeds. Despite this, typical, original Native representatives of this very peculiar cat-type are still to be found even these days in Maine. Such cats are absolutely essential for the healthy development and also for ensuring the survival of this special breed.

As far as their behavior is concerned, Maine Coons possess a lot of natural intelligence, they are generally very peaceful and even obedient towards their owners, thus being quite similar with dogs. They like to follow their human companions wherever they go. Although they are not very likely to sit on your lap, they can be very playful and imaginative. They love to fetch things. They produce a very particular sound, a sort of mixture between meowing and purring.