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The Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is the largest breed of domestic cat. The GCCF Standard of Points describes it as:
“…a semi-longhaired cat of
medium Foreign type…… distinguished by its large size, bone structure,
rectangular appearance and flowing coat.
The Maine Coon evolved as
a working domesticated cat in a rural environment; this role is reflected in a
muscular cat of rugged outdoor appearance with a characteristic weatherproof
coat and the demeanour of an alert capable hunter.”
The Maine Coon originated in Maine, USA. The ‘Coon’ part of its name comes from the story that it was the result of a mating between a farm cat and a racoon! (Biological nonsense, but quite a nice idea.) It is, however, very much a ‘real’ cat that seems to be perfectly capable of looking after itself, should the need arise. Maine Coons can be kept as house cats, but they do enjoy having access to an outdoor area. Even in the winter, ours spend a lot of time in their outdoor run.
The pattern most often
thought of when a Maine Coon is mentioned is the Tabby- Classic or Mackerel,
silver or non-silver- but Solid, Tortie, Shaded and Smoke are all also possible,
with or without white. On bi-colours the minimum amount of white permissible is
some on all four paws, tummy and chest. The maximum is one third white. Colour
pointed and Van patterned Maine Coons are not recognised. Eye colour should be
green, gold or copper. Blue or odd eyes are only accepted in white cats.
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Premier Namrib
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The
Maine Coon makes an excellent pet. It gets on well with other cats and easily
accepts dogs. It is a robust breed and will happily cope with the rough and
tumble of family life. Maine Coons can be trained to walk on a harness and lead
and are very laid back. Their ‘gentle giant’ reputation is well earned and
illustrated by Gr Ch Noracoon Caesar Ofnamrib, a stud cat owned by Heather
Horton of Namrib Birmans and Maine Coons at Quinton:
Every year Caesar goes to the Town and Country Show at Studely in Warwickshire. There he is part of an exhibition of pets. Like the other cats present he has a double pen for the day, but spends very little time in it, preferring to spend the time sitting on a variety of laps (mine included) or on a table lapping up the attention of the visitors to the Show. This in an open area shared with a variety of other pet animals such as ferrets and tortoises. He doesn’t wear a harness and never makes any attempt to escape! The original ‘Mr Cool’!
Although Maine Coons are
semi-longhaired their coat is quite low maintenance. It is silky and flowing
rather than fluffy and doesn’t tend to knot or tangle very much. Obviously it
benefits from an occasional brush and even a bath now and then, but it is
generally maintained by the cat itself. (However, grooming is particularly
helpful when the cat is moulting, otherwise hairballs can be a problem!)
It is a fun loving, people friendly breed of cat. In fact, Maine Coons are magic!
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Thursday, 24 April 2008 22:02
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