| The Maine Coon is a medium to large, solid, rugged cat
that projects the impression of subdued power and can
endure a harsh climate. Its distinctive coat is both smooth
and shaggy. A Maine Coon has an even disposition and is
easy to handle—it is calm, alert, affectionate, and
intelligent with a gentle voice. Females are somewhat
smaller than males. Type must not be sacrificed for size,
or size for type. |
| Body/Conformation |
Body |
Muscular, broad chested, medium to large in
size. Overall appearance is a well-balanced r ectangular
cat with no parts exaggerated, type should not be
sacrificed for size. |
| Legs & Feet |
Legs are substantial, widely set,
medium in length and contribute to a rectangular
appearance. Paws are large, round and well tufted. |
| Tail |
Tail is long, equal to body in length (i.e. –
distance from end of rump to shoulders), and wide at the
base tapering to the tip. Coat is a long flowing plume. |
| Head Type |
Head Shape |
width and
medium to long in length. Allowance should be made for
broadening in males. Cheekbones are high. Muzzle is
square with large whisker pads that contribute to the
squareness of the muzzle but not exaggerated. Chin is
firm and in line with upper lip and nose. Nose is medium
long and slightly concave. The profile should be relatively
smooth and free of pronounced bumps and/or humps. A
profile that is straight from the brow line to the tip of the
nose is not desirable, nor should the profile show signs of
having a “break” or “stop.” |
| Ears |
Ears are large, wide at the base, moderately
pointed and well tufted. Ears are set high on the head and
are approximately one ear width apart. Lynx-like tipping is
desirable but not required. |
| Eye Shape |
Eyes are large, expressive, widely set
and have slightly oblique setting. |
| Nose |
Nose is medium in length with gentle,
concave curve and no break or bump. |
| Coat Texture/Length |
The coat is designed to be warm, waterproof and (more or
less) self-maintaining. Fur on head, neck and shoulders is
short and becomes gradually long along the back, and
longer again toward the tail and down the si des, towards
the belly. The fur on the frontal ruff is heavier in males than
in females and develops with maturity. The coat is double
with a lightly dense undercoat covered by a coarser,
glossy outer coat. The cat is not fluffy, but flows smoothly
down the body, continuing in the same manner on the tail.
The tail is heavily furred, but not bushy as in a fox’s
“brush”. The coat is markedly subject to seasonal
variations. |
| Colour |
Coat Colour |
The distribution of points for
colours of cats with special markings shou ld be divided
into 5 points for colour and 5 points for markings. |
| Eye Colour |
Eye colour possesses shades of
green through gold (green/gold) or copper; although,
white cats may be blue-eyed or odd-eyed. There is no
relationship between eye colours and coat colours. Clarity
and depth of eye colour is desirable. |
| Condition & Balance |
Maine Coons should be solid, rugged, and muscular.
They must be in excellent physical condition. |