The Gentle Giants

Known for their large size and friendly personalities, Maine Coons are known as the gentle giants. If you have never met a Maine Coon, you are in for a treat!

Not fully mature until 3- to 5-years of age, the adult Maine Coon possesses a tall, muscular, large-boned body. Large size is a distinguishing characteristic of the breed. Female Maine Coons generally range in size from 9 to 12 pounds, and males, 13 to 18 pounds. Once you add two or three inches of winter coat, the Maine Coon looks like one big cat!

Maine Coons are as well known for their endearing personalities as they are for their size, making Maine Coons true companions to those who care for them. Look into a kitten's eyes, and you can already see the natural curiosity.Retaining a "kittenish" disposition throughout their lives, they will creatively find ways to cajole their people into playing with them. They enjoy other cats, dogs and children.


The look of a Maine Coon, including some of the science on how Maine Coons inherit their color, from the basics of heredity to the genetics of color From wild cats to royalty, much folklore exists to explain the origins of today's Maine Coon cats Recognized for their wonderful personalities AND their good looks, Maine Coons were America's first show cat


The Gentle Giants, with music by The Beatles! Classic Maine Coon Expressions in a slideshow set to music, brought to you by CaliMaine

Expressive and playful, Maine Coons will often find a way to participate in what you are doing. Don't be surprised if your Coon follows you around the house, asking to go into and out of rooms when the doors are closed.

Maine Coons enjoy being near you. Don't be surprised if your Maine Coon chooses to walk on your computer keyboard just as you sit down to work or lays down right on top of that magazine you were about to read. Laying next to you is another of their favorite past times.

Try to walk by a Maine Coon without offering a pet, and you may feel a tap on your arm or hear a verbal "hello." At any age, they always seem ready for a good game of feather toy. Their tiny voices don't quite seem to fit their size!

Maine Coons are intelligent and resourceful. You might reach down to pick something up and feel the weight of a cat who has just jumped on your back. You might find something unexpected in that waste basket you thought you just emptied. You might find a furry friend on the kitchen counter intelligently asking you to turn on the faucet for a drink of running water.

These are just some of the antics we enjoy regularly around our house.

Care

Although Main Coons are longhaired cats, they are remarkably easy to care for. Our answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) will provide you with more details on caring for, traveling with your Maine Coon, and more.

You can also see more about the look of a Maine Coon.