Maine Coon Standard

The Maine Coon is a natural breed of amiable character that traces its origin to the working cat found on the farms of Northeast America.

General

Appearance

The Maine Coon is large framed with a square outline of the head, large ears, broad chest, solid bone structure, a long, hard muscled, rectangular body and a long flowing tail. Good muscle tone and density give the cat the appearance of power and robustness.

Size

Large.

Head

Shape

Medium in size; square outline. Profile with a gentle concave slope.

Forehead

Gently curved.

Cheeks

Cheekbones high and prominent.

Face
Nose
Muzzle

Face and nose of medium length with a square outline of the muzzle. Distinct transition can be felt between muzzle and cheekbones.

Chin

Firm, in vertical alignment with nose and upperlip.

Ears

Shape

large, wide at the base. Moderately pointed. Lynx-tufts are desirable. Tufts of hair in the ears extend beyond outer edges of ears.

Placement

Set high on head with a very slight outward tilt. Ears should be placed one ear's width apart. The width extends slightly in older cats. Lower base set just slightly further back than upper base.

Eyes

Shape

Large and widely set. Slightly oval, but not almond shaped, appear round when wide open. Set slightly slanted towards the outer base of the ear.

Colour

Any colour is permitted. There is no relationship between eye- and coat colour. Clear eye colour is desirable.

Neck

Males have a very strong muscled neck.

Body

Structure

The body should be long, substantial bone structure. Hard muscled, powerful, broad chested. Large framed, all parts of the body in proportion to create a rectangular appearance.

Legs

Substantial, medium length to form a rectangle with the body.

Paws

Large, round and well tufted between the toes.

Tail

At least as long as the body from shoulderblade to base of tail. Wide at the base tapering to the tip; with full, flowing hair. The hair on the tail is long and always remains flowing.

Coat

Structure

All weather coat. Dense. Short on head, shoulders and legs, becoming gradually longer down the back and sides, with long, full shaggy baggy trousers on the hind legs and belly fur. A frill is expected. Texture silky. Coat has distinct body, falling smoothly. The undercoat is soft and fine, covered by the coarse smooth outercoat.

Colour

All colour varieties are permitted, including all colour varieties with white; except pointed patterns and chocolate and lilac, cinnamon and fawn. Any amount of white is allowed, i.e. a white blaze, white locket, white chest, white on the belly, white on the paws, etc.

Condition

The Maine Coon should always be in good balance, condition and proportion.

Remarks

• Type must always take preference over colour.
• Very slow maturing of the breed should be taken into account.
• Mature males may have larger and broader heads than females.
• Females are proportionally smaller than males. Allowance must be made for this significant difference in size.
• Length of coat and density of undercoat vary with the seasons.

Faults

General

• Unbalanced proportions.
• Overall small cat.

Head

• Round head.
• Straight or convex profile.

Nose

• Nose break.

Muzzle

• Pronounced whisker pads.
• Round or pointed muzzle.

Chin

• Undershot chin.

Ears

• Wide set, flared ears.

Eyes

• Slanted almond shaped eyes.

Body

• Fine, light bone structure.
• Short cobby body.

Legs

• Long stilty legs.

Tail

• Short tail.

Coat

• Lack of belly shag.
• Coat of overall even length.
• Lack of any undercoat

Scale of Points

Total

Head

General shape, shape of nose, cheeks and muzzle, jaw and teeth, forehead, chin.

25

Shape and placement of ears.

10

Shape and placement of eyes.

5

Body

Shape, size, bone structure, legs, shape of paws.

25

Shape and length of tail.

10

Coat

Quality and texture.

10

Length.

10

Condition