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history MC-standard  colours temperament

Breed standard FIFe 

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

Category II

MCO

Maine Coon Standard

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
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

 Maine Coon Standard scale of points

Scale of Points

Points

Total

 

100

Head

general shape, shape of nose, cheeks and muzzle, jaw and teeth, forehead, chin

25

40

shape and placement of ears

10

shape and placement of eyes

5

Body

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

25

35

shape and length of tail

10

Coat

quality and texture

10

20

Length
Colour and pattern                                                                                         

5

Condition

 

5

5