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MAINE COON / MAINE SHAG
The Maine Coon , also known as Maine Shag, is a gentle giant in the cat world, known for its intelligence, playfulness as well as distinctive physical appearance. The breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and it is native to the state of Maine, hence the name, making it America 's first indigenous show cat. Maine Coons are very large and energetic cats, sometimes weighing 11.3 kg (25 lb); the average weight is 6 to 9 kg (13-20 lb) for adult males and less (7-11 lb) for females. Growth to full size often takes longer than for most cats, with Maine Coons usually reaching full size at age three or four. There are stories of a cats reaching up to 18kg (40lb). Their head is slightly longer than it is wide, with high cheekbones and ears that are large, well tufted and wide at the base. The neck is medium long, while body is long and the chest broad. They are also very strong cats, capable of walking through snow without visible difficulties. Their coat is double layered and water-repellent, making it very similar to the Wegie's fur. They are very independent cats, but also affectionate. But it can be difficult to take them on your lap, because of their size.
ORIGIN: Their exact origin is not known because of many stories that surround it. One story comes from a
legend that a domestic cat released in the wilds of Maine interbred with a raccoon , resulting in offspring with the Maine Coon's characteristics. Well, that would certainly explain very often found a raccoon-like tail, but it is genetically impossible. But it is widely accepted story, that is how they get their name Maine (Ra)Coon. Another popular story is that the breed sprang from the six longhaired pet cats which Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution. Most likely story is that domestic shorthairs were naturally breeded with Angoras, which were brought to New England by seamen, and Norwegian Forest Cats, which were kept by Vikings in their trading posts. Winters in New England were very cold and harsh, and only strongest cats, adapted to the cold and wet weather could survive. These breeds Angoras, Norwegian Forest cats and domestic shorthair definitely could develop large, cold resistant cat.
STANDARD:
| HEAD | 35 Points |
| Shape | (10) |
| Profile | (10) |
| Ears | (10) |
| Eyes | (5) |
| BODY/TAIL | 35 Points |
| Shape | (15) |
| Legs/Feet | (10) |
| Tail | (10) |
| COAT | 20 Points |
| Length | (10) |
| Texture | (10) |
| COLOR | 10 Points |
Accepted Colors:
| Blue Eyed White Copper Eyed White Green Eyed White Odd Eyed White Blue Black Cream Red Blue Patched Tabby Blue Silver Patched Tabby Brown Patched Tabby Silver Patched Tabby Golden Patched Tabby Blue Patched McTabby Blue Silver Patched McTabby Brown Patched McTabby Silver Patched McTabby Golden Patched McTabby Blue Patched Tabby & white Blue Silver Patched Tabby & white Brown Patched Tabby & white Silver Patched Tabby & white Golden Patched Tabby & white |
Blue cream Tortoiseshell Blue Smoke Black Smoke Smoke Cameo Cream Smoke Cameo Golden Smoke Blue cream Smoke Black Smoke Tortoiseshell Chinchilla Shaded Silver Shell Cameo Shaded Cameo Golden Chinchilla Golden Shaded Blue cream Shaded Shaded Silver Tortoiseshell Cream Shell Cameo Cream Cameo |
Blue Tabby Blue Silver Tabby Cream Tabby Red Tabby Brown Tabby Silver Tabby Golden Tabby Cameo Tabby Blue McTabby Blue Silver McTabby Cream McTabby Red McTabby Brown McTabby Silver McTabby Golden McTabby Cream Cameo McTabby Cameo McTabby
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Blue Tabby & white Blue Silver Tabby & white Cream Tabby & white Red Tabby & white Brown Tabby & white Silver Tabby & white Golden Tabby & white Cameo Tabby & white Blue McTabby & white Blue Silver McTabby & white Cream McTabby & white Red McTabby & white Brown McTabby & white Silver McTabby & white Golden McTabby & white Cameo McTabby & white Cream Cameo McTabby & white Blue cream & white Shaded Silver Tortie & white Blue cream Shaded & white Blue cream Smoke & white Tortoiseshell & white Black Smoke & white Black Smoke Tortie & white Blue Smoke & white Cream Smoke Cameo & White Cream Shell Cameo & White Cream Cameo & White |
| Blue Patched McTabby & white Blue Silver Patched McTabby & white Brown Patched McTabby & white Silver Patched McTabby & white Golden Patched McTabby & white |
Other links: CFA FBRL TICA ACFA CCA SFDH WCF
