There are several theories/legends about the origin of the Maine Coon Cat. First, there is the legend of cats mating with raccoons, resulting in the Maine Coon cat. Those who promulgated this theory probably noticed that some Maine Coons exhibited fluffy, ringed tails, similar to the tails of raccoons. Maine Coons also sit on their haunches at times, resembling raccoons who often do the same. However, this is clearly a legend as a cat cannot successfully mate and produce offspring with a raccoon, genetically speaking (Liza Gardner Walsh, 2013). Raccoons and cats are two entirely different species.
There is also the theory that Maine Coons are descendants of Bobcats. Bobcats are native to New England and have some similar physical features such as lynx tips and large, tufted paws. However, this theory has also been disputed and countered by those who purport that the Maine Coon cat developed physical features such as tufting between the paws, its ruff, lynx tips, etc. due to its adaptation to the cold, snowy climate of coastal New England (Liza Gardner Walsh, 2013).
Another fanciful conjecture involves the infamous Marie Antoinette, of France. Legend has it that she owned six longhaired cats, possibly Turkish Angoras. During the French Revolution, Captain Clough, from Maine, purportedly took pity on her, given her impending demise, and sought to provide her with safe passage from France to the coast of Maine, along with her precious belongings, including her treasured cats. We all know what really happened to Marie Antoinette, unfortunately for her. What has been debated is whether or not Captain Clough was attempting to save the queen and bring her back to Maine or whether he was paid a large sum of money to provide for the queen’s escape, but quickly realized that it was in his best interest to depart from France before he too was caught for assisting the queen and executed. Thus, he hastily returned to Wiscasset, Maine with Marie Antoinette’s cats in tow. Supposedly, the queen’s cats then went ashore where they roamed about freely, mated with local cats, and produced progeny that were later considered the ancestors of Maine Coons (Marilis Hornidge, 1991).
According to another legend, a man named Tom Coon became a sea captain and acquired longhair cats to control the rodent population aboard his ship. He later acquired “Maine Cats” who, perhaps, interbred with the cats he already had in addition to the local cats in Maine when he brought them ashore, resulting in what later became Maine Coons (Rosemary Kendall, 2014).
Another theory about the origin of the Maine Coon cat involves the Vikings who purportedly had their Scandinavian cats onboard their ships when they traveled to the eastern coast of North America in 1000 AD. Norwegian Forest Cats, of Scandinavian origin, and Maine Coon cats share some physical similarities. Both are also excellent hunters, a characteristic that made them excellent ship cats (Liza Gardner Walsh, 2013). Proponents of this theory assert that some of these Viking cats must have made their homes in Maine, becoming ancestors of what was deemed a “Maine Coon” in later years.
The most likely origin of the Maine Coon cat is not as exciting and fanciful as the above notions. However, it certainly seems more realistic. This theory supports the idea that Maine Coons have evolved as the product of ship cats that ventured to and settled on the coast of Maine, interbreeding with local cats and evolving to adapt to the harsh, snowy, cold climate of New England (Liza Gardner Walsh, 2013).
Though it is thought that Maine Coons were shown abroad and in the U.S., prior to the 1860’s, many accept the 1860’s as an “official” time when Maine Coons first appeared at state fairs and later, at cat shows. Frances Simpson authored a book entitled, Book of the Cat, in 1903 which contained a chapter about “Maine Cats.” Maine Coons grew in popularity over many years until their popularity waned. Dedicated breeders worked hard to facilitate a resurgence of the breed in the 1950s-1960’s (Liza Gardner Walsh, 2013).
In the United States, Maine Coons were accepted to compete in the championship class in CFA in 1976 and in TICA in 1979. They have grown increasingly popular over the years with both breeders (in the U.S. and worldwide) and those who wish to own a Maine Coon as a pet.
The general time period the Maine Coon appeared or "came to be" seems most likely to have occurred during the colonization of North America as this is when ships were frequently traveling to the eastern coast of Maine (Marilis Hornidge, 1991). It seems likely that cats aboard these ships would come ashore and hypothetically, interbreed with local cats. This time period could possibly place the Maine Coon’s date of origin somewhere in the 1600’s. However, the more accepted date of origin for Maine Coons in the United States has been identified as the 1860’s (Vella & Robinson, 2002). This is the time at which Maine Coons appeared at state fairs and were known as “coons” or “shags (Marilis Hornidge, 1991).”
In the United States, the Maine Coon is fairly large in number and presently, a very popular cat breed to own as a pet. According to information found in the following article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/pets/the-10-most-popular-cat-breeds-in-the-us/ss-AAxtc5X#image=7 ,
the Maine Coon is currently listed as one of the ten most popular purebred cats in the United States right now. As such, it is not uncommon for U.S. breeders to have waiting lists for kittens.
* I have heard it stated by some that only reputable breeders have waiting lists. This is often the case but not always. At this point, I have chosen not to have a waiting list as we are a very small hobby cattery, only producing 1-2 litters per year. Additionally, I need time to watch the kittens grow before I can properly determine who will remain in our breeding program. Kittens and cats available for adoption will be posted when available. Under no circumstance will any kittens leave the cattery prior to a minimum of 12 weeks. Most kittens will move to new homes between 12-14 weeks. We want to ensure that each kitten is well socialized and developmentally ready to move to a new home before they are released.
Bibliography
Kendall, R. (2014). Maine coon cats : the owner’s guide from kitten to old age : buying, caring for, grooming, health, training and understanding your Maine Coon. Cwp Publishing.
Liza Gardner Walsh. (2013). The Maine coon cat. Down East Books.
Marilis Hornidge. (1991). That Yankee cat : the Maine coon. Tilbury House.
Vella, C. M., & Robinson, R. (2002). Robinson’s genetics for cat breeders and veterinarians. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Copyright © 2023 LionSpirit Maine Coons - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder