The Maine Coon is endemic to the United States, originating from Maine, where it was named the official cat of the state. It’s estimated that around 1850, long-haired cats from Asia and Europe, brought onboard ships to control mice, mated with local short-haired cats to create our modern-day Maine Coon.
This majestic cat boasts thick fur on her chest, belly, and back, a strong build, and a brush-like tail. The animal’s bushy ringtail resembles that of a raccoon’s, adding the word “Coon” to its name.
There were several myths associated with the origins of Maine Coon, one which involved the polarizing figure of Marie Antoinette. Legend has it that her six Turkish Angora cats made it onto a ship during a rescue mission. While the queen didn’t make the ship, her pets continued on and reached Maine where they interbred with local cats and created the big Maine Coon.
Some believe that these foreign cats interbred with bobcats, resulting in large cats with tufted ears. Another myth revolves around the impossible—mating with racoons. Regardless of how these cats came to be, there is no denying that the end result is a stunning and loving cat that has stolen our hearts.
The CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) accepted the breed under provisional status in 1975, and approved it for championship status a year later. In 1980, Maine Coons were imported to the United Kingdom and were fully accepted into the Federation Internationale Feline in 1982 and the Governing Council of Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 1993.
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