Main Coon - FiFe Breed Standard

Category II

MCO

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 breed of 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 and 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.

for colour varieties refer to tables below

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