The Maine Coon is one of the largest domesticated breeds of cats. It has a distinctive physical appearance and valuable hunting skills. The Maine Coon is well known for its loving nature, kindly disposition, and great intelligence. Maine Coons are especially good with children and other pets, and have always been a popular and sought after companion. Maine Coons are often referred to as the "dogs of the cat world" because they seek out the company of people and are a gentle, loyal, friendly, playful, affectionate breed. Available in a variety of about 75 different color combinations (with the exception of pointed pattern and colors) and two acceptable tabby patterns (classic and mackerel), there is a Maine Coon Cat just right for anyone.
There is only speculation and folk tales about the ancestral origins of the Maine Coon. One such folk tale involves Captain Charles Coon, an English seafarer who kept long-haired cats aboard his ships. Whenever Coon's ship would anchor in New England ports, the felines would exit the ship and mate with the local feral cat population. When long-haired kittens began appearing in the litters of the local cat population, they were referred to as one of "Coon's cats." The generally accepted theory among breeders is that the Maine Coon is descended from the pairings of local short-haired domestic cats and long-haired breeds brought overseas by English seafarers (possibly by Captain Charles Coon) or 11th-century Vikings. The connection to the Vikings is seen in the strong resemblance of the Maine Coon to the Norwegian Forest Cat, another breed that is said to be a descendant of cats that traveled with the Vikings.
Here are some pictures of Maine Coon Cat:
(image credit goes to original uploader & google)
While Maine Coons are highly people-oriented cats, they are not overly-dependent. They do not constantly pester you for attention, but prefer to "hang out" with their owners, investigating whatever activity you're involved in and "helping" when they can. They are not, as a general rule, known as "lap cats" but as with any personality trait there are a few Maine Coons that prefer laps. Most Maine Coons will stay close by, probably occupying the chair next to yours instead. Maines will follow you from room to room and wait outside a closed door for you to emerge. A Maine Coon will be your friend, your companion, your buddy, your pal, but hardly ever your baby. Maine Coons are relaxed and easy-going in just about everything they do. The males tend to be the clowns while the females retain more dignity, but both remain playful throughout their lives. They generally get along well with kids and dogs, as well as other cats. They are not as vertically-oriented as some other breeds, prefering to chase objects on the ground and grasping them in their large paws... no doubt their instincts developed as professional mousers.
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