Maine Coon History: Myths, Facts and Breed Recognition

Ever wondered about the history of the beautiful Maine Coon? This gentle giant of the cat world has a story full of tall tales and solid truths.

From farm fields in the U.S. state of Maine to global cat shows, the Maine Coon cat captivates many people the world over.

Stick around as we unpack the history of the Maine Coon, separating folklore from facts.

Key takeaways

• The origin of the Maine Coon stems from local domestic cat stock mixed with long-haired imports, not wild animals.

• Myths like they're 'raccoon hybrids' or links to Marie Antoinette add charm but lack proof.

• A brown tabby named Cosey won best in show in 1895, marking the first show cat for the breed.

• Official recognition came in the 1970s from groups like the cat fancier’s association, boosting the breed's popularity.

• Today, it's the official state cat of Maine.
  

Folklore loves a good yarn and the Maine Coon history brims with them.

No one is going to see a raccoon and a long-haired cat sneaking off for a forbidden tryst.

But that bushy tail and raccoon-like looks got the gossip started. The actual science says no ( I.E. It's biologically impossible).

Then there's the tale of Marie Antoinette. Her Angora cats supposedly sailed to central Maine on Captain Samuel Clough's ship.

She planned to flee France, but her pets arrived alone in Wiscasset. Apparently, they mixed with local short-haired cats, birthing the breed we know today. Fun story. Yet no records back it up.

Vikings? Even they have been linked to the breed. Because of the similarities, some people liken Maine Coons to the Norwegian Forest Cat, who came over as ship cats. Their shared traits like tufted ears and water-loving ways fuel this rumour even today.

But a peer-reviewed genetics study on cat breed variation shows Maine Coons cluster with UK random-bred cats, not Nordic ones. Convergent evolution explains the look and harsh winters shaped the similar features which we see in Norwegian forest types and Maine cats alike.

These myths persist because they're intriguing and sound plausible. They turn these amazing, sturdy farm cats into mythical legends. But the real origin story? More humble.

European cats arrived with settlers in the 1600s. Long-haired cats from sailors mingled with tough New England stock. By the 1860s, the Whittemore families prized their mousing skills, saving the breed. No royal drama or viking invasions needed.

Truth grounds us. The Maine Coon cat breed evolved as a working American cat. Farmers in the state of Maine needed hunters for rodents. These cats delivered that, in a hardy, winterised package.

The first written account for the breed came from the Book of the Cat in 1861. F.R. Pierce described "coon’s cats" as natural to the region.

They "just growed," he said. By the late 1860s, the Skowhegan Fair hosted "Maine state champion coon cat" contests and locals celebrated their state champ.

Genetics studies trace the foundation cats to Puritan imports with no exotic crosses, just hardy domesticated cat lines adapting to cold.

They had features such as polydactyl paws, common in early Maine Coons. This means that they had extra toes, helping in the snow, like built-in snowshoes.

The famous writer, Ernest Hemingway also loved them, dubbing his the "polydactyl Maine" crew.

Their popularity is also due to their size as they're among the biggest domestic cats. That bushy tail and paw tufts scream " I'm a feline bred for size and survival."

Cat fanciers took notice fast. In 1895, Madison Square Garden's first US cat show crowned "first Maine Coon".

Cosey, a brown tabby female - her silver collar sits in CFA archives today. You can see this award on their site here.

After this, their popularity soared but Persian imports in the early 1900s stole the spotlight. Other long-haired rivals like Angora cats overshadowed them as well. By 1911, their wins dried up and rumours swirled of extinction.

But they weren't done quite yet. In the 1950s, the Central Maine Cat Club formed to help protect the breed. Ethelyn Whittemore, Alta Smith, and Ruby Dyer led it. They hosted shows, penned the first written breed standard, and rallied cat population lovers. The Maine Coon cat club protected the line after the second world war.

Revival hit full speed ahead in the 1960s. Breeders began to track pedigrees and the Maine Coon Cat Club pushed CFA for recognition. They received provisional status in 1975 and full championship status by 1976.

So the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) championed it and the International Cat Association (TICA) followed. In 1985, Maine named it the official state cat.

GCCF in the UK lists traits and points in their GCCF Maine Coon Standard of Points Guide. Basically, Square muzzle, Tufted ears, and a Shaggy coat.

Breed standards stress the importance of that rugged build.

So now the breed was accepted worldwide and more show cat stars emerged. In the UK, they're not among the most common cat breeds but they are still quite popular with fanciers loving their size.

This breed is a unique type of cat with traits that seem out of character for the feline variety. They do thrive as pets as they're family-friendly and have a somewhat dog-like loyalty. Do they like water play? Yes, many do, and you get all those natural vibes without the wild behaviour.

Ready for one for your home? Chat with breeders, ask them if they screen for health and join the Maine Coon breed communities online. You'll be able to hear stories from real owners and see what is best for you.