| Maine Coon | |
|---|---|
 A Maine Coon cat | |
| Other names | Coon Cat Maine Cat Maine Shag American Longhair[1] American Coon Cat American Forest Cat[2] |
| Common nicknames | Gentle giants |
| Origin |  Maine, United States |
| Breed standards | |
| CFA | standard |
| FIFe | standard |
| TICA | standard |
| ACF | standard |
| ACFA/CAA | standard |
| CCA-AFC | standard |
| GCCF | standard |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
The Maine Coon is a large domesticated cat breed. One of the oldest natural breeds in North America, the breed originated in the U.S. state of Maine,[3][4] where it is the official state cat.
The Maine Coon is a large and social cat, which could be the reason why it has a reputation of being referred to as "the gentle giant." The Maine Coon is predominantly known for its size and dense coat of fur which helps it survive in the harsh climate of Maine. The Maine Coon is often cited as having "dog-like" characteristics.[5][6]
- ^ Morris, Desmond (10 May 1999). Cat breeds of the world: A complete illustrated encyclopedia. Viking. p. 90. ISBN 9780670886395. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ "Maine Coon Cats". Animal-World. Archived from the original on 17 January 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
- ^ "Breed information". Maine Coon Breeders & Fanciers Association. Archived from the original on 10 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
- ^ "The Maine Coon: Cat Breed FAQ". www.fanciers.com. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Robins, Sandy. "Training Day". Popular Cats Series. 2. Bow Tie Magazines: 118–125.
- ^ "Maine Coon Synopsis". American Cat Fanciers Association. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2008.