History of the Maine Coon

One of the oldest natural breeds in North America, the Maine Coon is generally regarded as a native of the state of Maine, in which the Maine Coon is the state's official cat breed. They were well established more than a century ago as a hardy, handsome breed of domestic cat, well equipped to survive the hostile New England winters. Mother Nature is not soft-hearted as she selects the biggest, brightest, best fighters, and the best hunters to breed successive generations. Planned breedings of Maine Coons are relatively recent in which breeders seek to preserve the Maine Coon's natural rugged qualities. The ideal Maine Coon is a strong, healthy cat. Maine Coons are also one of the largest domestic cats North America.

A number of colorful legends surround its origin, which includes a biologically impossible belief is that it originated from domesticated versions of the common cats and raccoons. The Maine Coon's bushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) led to the adoption of the name 'Maine Coon.' Another popular story is that the Maine Coon sprang from the six pet cats which the French Queen Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine as she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution. Most breeders today agree that the breed originated in matings between pre-existing shorthaired domestic cats and overseas longhairs - perhaps Angora types introduced by New England seamen. Interestingly, the breed closest to the Maine Coon is the Norwegian Forest Cat which, although geographically distant, evolved in much the same climate, and lends credence to the theory that some of the cats responsible for developing the Maine Coon were brought over by the Vikings.

One of the Maine Coon's first recorded reference in literature was in 1861, mentioned as a 22 pound male black and white named 'Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines.' Maine Coons were the first official breed in the United States and were popular competitors at early cat shows in Boston and New York and a brown tabby female named 'Cosie' won Best Cat at the 1895's Madison Square Garden Show.

Unfortunately, their popularity as show cats declined with the arrival in 1900 of the more flamboyant Persians an other long-hairs. Although the Maine Coon remained a favorite cat in New England, the breed did not begin to regain its former widespread popularity until the 1950's when more and more cat fanciers began to take notice of them, show them, and record their pedigrees. In 1968, six breeders formed the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) to preserve and protect the breed. Today, MCBFA membership numbers over 1000 fanciers and 200 breeders. By 1980, all registries had recognized the Maine Coon, and is well on its way to regaining its former stature within cat enthusiasts. In 2007, the Maine Coon is the 2nd most popular cat in CFA while Persians are number one.