Pinecoon Maine Coon Cats
Healthy, Loving Maine Coon Cats -- Regional & International Award Winners

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About Maine Coons

The Maine Coon is North America's only native longhaired cat. Most Maine Coons are large, shaggy tabby cats with gentle dispositions.

The Maine Coon is one of the oldest recognized breeds. In 1860, a brown tabby Maine Coon female named Cosie won the first cat show in North America.

The handsome fellow at left is Eddie -- one of our own winners.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MAINE COON

Where did the Maine Coon come from?

The Maine Coon originated in New England. Settlers from Europe brought their domestic cats with them. Over the years, those cats' descendants became better and better adapted for survival in New England's harsh climate. The resulting sturdy, practical, and beautiful cat is the Maine Coon.

How big do Maine Coons get?

Males typically weigh from 12 to 20 pounds when full grown; the average weight for an adult male is 15 to 16 pounds. Females are smaller than males and typically weigh from 8 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Maine Coons grow slowly and do not reach their full size until they are four or five years old.

What colors do Maine Coons come in?

The most common Maine Coon color is brown tabby. Maine Coons also come in other tabby (striped) colors, including red tabby, blue tabby, cream tabby, silver tabby, blue-silver tabby, and cameo tabby. Maine Coon females may be tortoiseshells or tortoiseshell tabbies (torbies). Maine Coons also come in solid colors such as black, blue or white, though solid colors are less common. Many Maine Coons have white feet and a white bib and belly.

What are their personalities like?

Maine Coons are gentle, easygoing, people-oriented cats, and make excellent indoor pets. They are loving and intelligent, and form strong attachments to their people. Many Maines love water (to play with, not to swim in). They generally get along well with children, other cats, and dogs.

Most Maine Coons have soft voices. The typical Maine Coon Cat trills ("prrrt") or squeaks softly rather than meowing.

Copyright © Betsy Tinney 1990-2013. This article is original, copyrighted material and may not be reproduced, in print or in electronic form, without the written permission of the author.   

 

MAINE COON MYTHS

"Maine Coons are part Lynx." Contrary to popular belief, Maine Coons are not "part wildcat" -- they are 100 percent domestic cat, in spite of their sometimes striking appearance and size.

"The Maine Coon breed originated as a cross between cats and raccoons". No -- this is genetically impossible! The term "coon cat" was coined because the brown tabby Maine Coon's black and brown stripes and thick, striped tail resemble a raccoon's. The resemblance is enhanced by the Maine Coon's dexterity with its paws: most Maine Coons occasionally use their paws to drink water and eat dry food