The Incredible Maine Coon: A Unique breed of Gentle Giants
The Maine Coon cat is a very special cat indeed! Maine Coons are one-of-a-kind cats with a personality that is larger than life. They can sense your moods, are curious about your day, and have purred their way into the hearts of those they own. Chances are, you chose a Maine Coon and you expect to have certain traits that would fit your lifestyle, like:
- Gentle-mannered and easy going
- Large, athletic, strong, and playful nature
- Very intelligent and interactive
- Patient – great with kids and other animals
- They do well in busy households
However, not one breed of cat is perfect! You may also have heard some negatives, like:
- The coat needs to be cared for frequently to prevent matting
- Can be very talkative, and have an opinion about everything (some people love this trait)
- Can be prone to health and dental issues
Is it all worth it? Of course! Maine Coons are one of the most popular cat breeds out there, for good reason!
While there are some areas of concern, Maine Coon cats are unquestionably lovable. Maine Coons are quite different from every other cat breed. There are many enthusiasts that can tell you that it’s worth it to welcome this magnificent feline into your home. They are coveted for their stunning physical appearance and their graceful statuesque looks. Maine Coons are an especially large breed of cat. They have huge paws, wonderfully tufted ears, long uneven fur, and feather-like fluffy tails. They have a longer ruff of fur around their necks (commonly referred to as a mane), which can sometimes give them a similar appearance of a small lion. Maine Coons are muscular cats with broad chests. They have a rugged appearance that makes them look both hardy and powerful. Discovering the idiosyncrasies of the Maine Coon will help you understand why these large cats have captured the attention of cat lovers for decades. This is a one-of-a-kind cat breed with a personality that is larger than life.
Maine Coons are full of charisma, and we love them for it! They are a calm and affectionate gentle giants. Maine Coons are relaxed and laid-back cats but they are not overly dependent felines, but are very people oriented. They love being in the same room and are happy to follow their owners around. They love life, have a playful nature, are intelligent, patient, tolerant of young children poking and prodding them, and can accept the noise and commotion of modern, busy family life.
Because the Maine Coon is a large-sized cat and has a thick double coat of long hair, they are well developed for the harsh winters in the st ate of Maine USA, from which they originated. In the state of Maine, the Maine Coon is the state cat. Originating from a state known for being brutally cold, with freezing winters, the Maine Coon would unlikely not have survived if it weren’t for their specialized physical traits. They are built for winter.
Their inexplicable lineage is rife with mystery and myths. One such myth says they are derived from and are part Raccoon. We all know that this is impossible and not true. A second myth is they are descendants of Viking ships. A third myth says Maine Coons are descendants of six royal cats of Marie Antoinette’s treasured cats brought to America. Whatever the origin, we will most likely never know. But one thing that is for sure, we are happy that they are here! The Maine Coon used to be quite rare in the 1950s, and nearly became extinct! Thankfully, a small group of people took on the task of saving them and they made a comeback around 1985, and are now highly popular.
The average lifespan of a Maine Coon ranges between 12 and 15 years, so you can be sure that this breed will stick around for a long time!