A Potrait Of The Maine Coon

The definitive description of the Maine coon is written in its official standard. This is prepared by the Breed's National Club and presented to a major registration body for adoption. Thereafter it is used as the blueprint for judging the breed in exhibition run under the rules of the given registry. Although the standard of each national registry will be differ somewhat in its wording, its meaning remain the same.

The following description is not that of any one association but is based on reference to THREE major registries. These are the CCCF of Britain and the CFA and TICA of America.

HEAD AND NECK

Head is of medium length with the width being somewhat shorter than the length. In mature males,due allowance should be made for development of jowls, which give the face of fuller, wider look. The muzzle in profile is square, of medium length and blunt. The nose leather and upper lip should lay in the same perpendicular line and continue to form a firm chin.
The bite should be level. This mean the upper and the lower incisor teeth should just touch, neither protruding in front of the other.
When viewed in profile, the nose joins the forehead brow via a gentle concave curve at the nasal bridge.
There should not be a pronounced stop, nor should the head form a straight line from the brow to the nose tip. The face give the impression of a wedge, but one in which the lines are gently rounded as compared with the straight lines of the oriental type. The neck is of moderate length, thick and especially muscular in adult males.

EARS

Large,pointed and ideally with tufted tips. The ears are wide at their based and set high on the head with just a slight outward tilt. The distance between them should be no more than the width of the ear base. ample ear furnishing are often present- these being the hairs that grow from the ear's open base.

EYES

Large and round when alert, the may become oval when relaxed. set well apart with their aperture being set slightly oblique towards the outer base of the ear.
Color is shade of green, gold or copper. There is no relationship between eye and coat color. Blue or odd-eyed are acceptable in white cats.

BODY

Of medium to large size, the body is of a rectangle shape and substantial bone. It should by very muscular, with good chest width. The rump has a squared appearance.

LEGS AND FEET

Medium in length, the legs must be substantial and display good bone and ample muscle. The large paws are round and should contain five toes on the front feet and four on the rear. The toes should be tufted with hair, these often being called snowshoe

TAIL

This should be at least as Long as the body from it shoulder to the tail root. Its base is wide and tapers gradually towards its tip.

COAT

The Maine Coon sports both winter and summer coats. The description here is that of the winter coat, the summer being shorter, though the tail largely retains its beautiful length even in warmer months. In order to provide maximum weather resistance, the coat is comprised of a short but adequate soft underfur that creates warmth. A much more substantial topcoat of smooth silk like guard hairs protect this from rain, snow and wind. The result is a relatively self-maintaining coat that is easier to groom than might initially be expected.
There is a frontal ruff of long hair that begins on the side of the head and continues down the chest. The hair on the head, neck and shoulders short but gets longer on the flanks and back. The fur of the breeches and underbelly is full and described as being shaggy. Tail fur is long and flowing, often parting on either side of the tail. Any tendency towards a woolly or fluffy coat is decidedly undesirable.

BREED FAULTS

specific breed faults, as opposed to those applicable to any cat, are as follow:
Coby(squared) body, fine bones and lack of good muscle. Lack of size. Long thin legs. Blue or odd-eyed cats in any coat other than white. A definite stop or nose break at the nasal bridge. Short or flared ears. Pronounced whisker pads. A coat that has an even length over the whole body.excess under coat. Lack of belly fur(shag). The extent of acceptable white fur is discussed where applicable.
Finally the color chocolate and lilac, together with the Siamese restriction pattern, which would indicate hybridisation with a breed carrying the genes for this, are not permitted. In the CFA, the ticked body pattern of Abbysinian tabby is also cited as not being acceptable.