- Highly active and inquisitive cat
- Sociable and dependent cat
- Larger stockier cat breed
- Requires grooming every day
- Outdoor cat
- Great family cat
Personality
Maine Coon cats have a sweet nature and are very playful and friendly. They enjoy human company and make good pets. Possibly because of their humble origins, they are often found curled up in the strangest of places. They enjoy the outdoor life, and so need a chance to climb and simulate hunting. Maine Coon cats are noted for the delightful, quiet, chirping sound they make.
History and Origins
Country of Origin: USA
The ancestors of the Maine Coon cat were longhaired coats brought into the State of Maine in America by seafarers in the 1850s. These cats mated with the local shorthair cats. The offspring were big, strongly built cats with semi-long coats and brush-like tails that resembled the raccoon’s tail, hence the name Maine Coon. The cats developed thick dense coats to withstand the extreme Maine winters. Special shows were held for Maine Coon in the early 1860s and the breed gained popularity as pets.