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One of the
oldest natural breeds in North America,
the Maine Coon is generally regarded as a
native of the state of Maine. A number of
attractive legends surround its origin. A
wide-spread (though biologically
impossible) belief is that it originated
from mating between semi-wild, domestic
cats and raccoons. This myth, bolstered by
the bushy tail and the most common
coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) led
to the adoption of the name 'Maine Coon.'
(Originally, only brown tabbies were
called 'Maine Coon Cats;' cats of other
colors were referred to as 'Maine Shags.')
Another popular theory is that the Maine
sprang from the six pet cats which Marie
Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when
she was planning to escape from France
during the French Revolution. Most
breeders today believe that the breed
originated in mating between pre-existing
shorthaired domestic cats and overseas
longhairs (perhaps Angora types introduced
by New England seamen, or longhairs
brought to America by the Vikings).
Maine Coons 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.
Nature is not soft-hearted. It selects the
biggest, the brightest, the best fighters,
and the best hunters to breed successive
generations. Planned breeding of Maine
Coons are relatively recent. Since planned
breeding began, Maine Coon breeders have
sought to preserve the Maine Coon's
"natural," rugged qualities. The
ideal Maine Coon is a strong, healthy cat. |
