These cats have large, pointy ears and big, oval-shaped eyes in shades of gold, green, green-gold, or copper. You’ll notice a lion-shaped muzzle on the Maine Coon, and sometimes a ruff around the neck to match. Maine Coons weigh 9 to 25 pounds and reach 30 to 40 inches in length. The Maine Coon is a large breed with a rectangular body and broad chest. Cosey, an adorable brown tabby female Maine Cat, won “Best Cat” at the National Cat Show, held at Madison Square Garden in 1985. This breed also holds the honor of winning the first major cat show in the United States. The Cat Fanciers’ Association officially recognized the Maine Coon in 1976.
Thankfully, our favorite gentle giants bounced back and have gained popularity over the years. The Maine Coon has had shifts in popularity over the years and was even thought to be extinct in the 1950s. While people initially believed the “Coon Cat” to be a cross between a cat and a raccoon, genetic identification has confirmed that the Maine Coon descended from the Norwegian Forest cat and another unknown domestic cat. Thus, this cat developed into a sturdy, working cat with a thick, shaggy coat and bushy tail for warmth and protection. Those that survived the journey to the chilly shores of Maine were then left to fend for themselves through the harsh, cold winters. Ships traveling from Europe to America in the 1800s housed an assortment of cats as a trade for the felines’ ability to control the rodent population aboard ships. The origins of the Maine Coon date back to the 19th century, with characteristics now associated with this breed developing from “survival of the fittest” evolution. The Maine Coon breed originated in Maine, where it was recognized as the official state cat in 1985. The “Coon Cat,” as it was initially dubbed, has the distinction of being one of the oldest natural breeds in North America.
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