Liza Gardner Walsh - The Maine Coon Cat

A fter writing this book, I have an even deeper and more abiding affection for the Maine Coon cat and those feelings extend to all the people who have championed and nurtured the breed over the years. I learned so much about this storied cat while researching and writing this book and could not have put it together without the wise words of Marilis Hornidge in her Coon cat bible, That Yankee Cat. Through her wit and Yankee forthrightness, I felt a deep kinship. I only wish I could have met her while she was alive. The wonderful breeders and pet owners whom I interviewed generously shared their love, infectious enthusiasm, and time with me. I am grateful to Beth Kus for her help in editing and for her extensive research, which was invaluable to me as I wrote. Many thanks to Don and Donna Carrigan, Jeannie Brett, Richard and Peggy Wilson, Wanda Cooper, Sasha Laurita and family, Beverly and Zhenya Scott, Kimmy and Duncan Lockie, Barrie Pribyl, Sky Taylor, and Kate Pierce.

Thank you to Michael Steere, who opened the cat door for me, and for his continued support, encouragement, and great editing. The team at Down East has been a joy to work with, especially Lynda Chilton for her incredible design work. Thank you to Terry Bregy, Linda Callahan, Becca Gildred, Sue Smith, and Dawna Hilton.

Thank you to all my friends and family who embody the loyalty, friendliness, affection, and intelligence of the Maine Coon I am one lucky lady. Meow.

Of all cat breeds, the Maine Coon is probably the most complete package. After all, while not every person agrees on what makes another person beautiful, there is usually agreement as to the presence of charm, appeal, and charisma. And the Maine Coon, the genuine article, has it.

Marilis Hornidge, That Yankee Cat

T he package that sets the Maine Coon apart, making it at once desirable and distinguished, has also made it rise in the ranks to become the second most popular cat, following closely behind the Persian. The cats origins are a mystery its genes tumbled in the salt spray of Maines rugged coast and married with the genes of sea captains cats from around the world until a perfectly adapted specimen evolved with its own unique attributes. These wild remnants are what is so intriguing about the breed, giving an appearance reminiscent of a bobcat or lynx. This untamed visage of the Maine Coon parallels the rustic state from where it hails. Put the cat and the state together and you have an enduring mystique. Perhaps that is why in 1985 the Maine Coon became Maines official state cat, making it the only true cat breed in the country to serve in this honorable role.

Even those only remotely familiar with the breed have heard legends of their grand size they are as big as the state of their origin. Some are even huge, as breeders have, unfortunately, bred to suit peoples fascination with gigantism in the breed. The large size of the cat, however, is disputed by Maine Coon expert and enthusiast Sharyn Bass, who attests, the belief that a Maine Coon cat should weigh between thirty and forty pounds is stretching the imagination. She adds that in the past Maine Coons needed to be large for survival, but for today as a house pet, this super giant status is not necessary. A normal Maine Coon male weighs twelve to fifteen pounds, while a female weighs ten to twelve pounds. Often the Maine Coon is significantly larger than a small dog, its size exaggerated by its voluminous coat and fluffy tail.

Despite their size, Maine Coons develop slowly. The maturation process for a Maine Coon takes anywhere from three to five years, so for those who relish the youthful exuberance of a kitten, this breed is a perfect choice. As kittens, they grow quickly before slowing between four and eight months. They are even said to begin to walk, climb, and sometimes open their eyes earlier than kittens of other breeds.

An ample coat is another well-known attribute of the breed, but the coat of a Maine Coon is different from its long-haired brethren. Shaggy and uneven are two words often used to describe the coat, but in her book That Yankee Cat, Marilis Hornidge says it more elegantly: The coat is like a custom-fitted garment with a lustrous sheen as if made of antique satin. But the coat is far more practical than satin as it is 100 percent water repellent, perfect for cold winters. Writer Mary L. Daniels adds, It is decidedly strokeable, like liquid silk to the touch. Daniels cites a poll in which sixy-five percent of British cat owners confess they would rather cuddle their cats than their mates, and she believes that if they were petting Maine Coons, the statistic would be much higher.

The hindquarters of the Maine Coon are heavily furred and look like old-fashion pantaloons. The hair on the shoulders is shorter than the rest of the coat, making for a distinguished-looking Elizabethan ruff around the neck and chest. This coat evolved for the Maine Coon to survive in the rugged woods. According to Sharyn Bass, The short hair on the shoulders, which only gets longer on the back and sides, enables cats to move through wooded areas without becoming entangled in trees and brambles. If the coat was the texture and length of a Persian, for example, the cat could have been easily trapped in briars and woods, unable to escape.

Tufts of fur rise out of the inside and tips of the Maine Coons ears. In some enthusiasts circles, these are called lynx-tips. Hornidge notes, The tufts on the tops and tips of the ears, almost vestigial in some and so heavy as to be reminiscent of the lynx and bobcat in others, are a genetic puzzle to breeders and an enchantment to photographers. They add another grace note from the wild and times past to the Maine Coons appearance. As an evolutionary development, this feature adds more than warmth and grace notes. Wild cats depend on their remarkable hearing ability and the large tufts allow sound to be absorbed from many angles.

The Maine Coon is known for its large, heavily tufted, snowshoe paws. These insulated booties are another adaptive trait for surviving winter. Maine Coons are surprisingly adept at maneuvering with their seemingly cumbersome digits and can carefully lift tiny items in the palm of their paw. These paws can be polydactyl, a trait that is not allowable in a show cat but one that is dear to the hearts of Maine Coon aficionados. This genetic mutation was encouraged in New England and has given rise to a rather large fleet of many-toed Coons. A normal-toed cat has a total of eighteen toes five each on the front paws and four on the back. Polydactyl cats can have anywhere from four to seven toes per paw. Polydactylism is most common on the front paws. Ernest Hemingway became a lover of polydactyl cats after he was given one by a ship captain. Because of his ardent adoration, polydactyls are often called Hemingway Cats.