PERMISSIBLE OUTCROSSES:
None
Overall balance and proportion are
essential to the Maine Coon and no one
feature should dominate the eye’s
attention over any other.
HEAD:
Shape: Broad, modified wedge. Size
in proportion to body. Slightly longer
than
wide. Distinct muzzle break can be seen
under high prominent cheekbones .
Eyes: Large, slightly oval, appear
round when wide open. Outer corner of eye
points toward outer base of ear. Wide-set.
Color: Any shade of green and/or gold. No
relation to coat color. Blue and odd-eyes
accepted in whites and particolors.
Ears: Large, wide at base with outer
base set just slightly farther back than
inner
base. Outer base just above the level of
the
top of the eye. Outside edges have a very
slight outward tilt that is not past
eleven and
one o'clock. Set fairly high on head with
inner edge of bases no more than one ear's
width apart. Taller than the width at base
but still in balance with head length.
Moderately pointed ears appear taller due
to lynx tips. Furnishings extend beyond
outer edge of ear.
Chin: Wide and deep enough to
complete square look of muzzle. Firm, in
line with upper lip.
Muzzle: Square.
Profile: Gently curving forehead.
Gentle concave curve at bridge of nose
flowing into a smooth nose line. Slight
nose
bump allowed in kittens.
BODY:
Torso: Large, long, substantial,
rectangular, equal in breadth from
shoulders to hips. Broad chest. Level
back.
Females may be noticeably smaller than
males.
Boning: Substantial.
Musculature: Substantial, powerful.
Legs: Medium length to form a
rectangle with the body.
MC: Large, round and well-tufted.
MCP: Large, well-tufted. Additional
toes allowed on either fore or hind paws
or
both. Paws may be mitten or patty foot.
Symmetrical expression preferred.
Maximum of 7 toes on any one foot.
Tail: At least as long as the body. Wide
at base and tapering to tip with full,
flowing
fur.
COAT/COLOR/PATTERN:
Length: Uneven; shorter on shoulders,
gradually lengthening down the back and
sides. Long, full, shaggy belly fur and
britches. Tail fur long, full, flowing.
Frontal
ruff becomes more developed with age.
Texture: All-weather coat. A slight
undercoat gives the coat body but coat
still
falls smoothly. Not cottony.
Color: Particolors must have some
white on all four feet.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Maine
Coon is America's native longhaired cat.
The breed, with its essentially amiable
disposition, developed through a natural
selection process where only the fittest
survived. It should always be remembered
that the Maine Coon developed basically as
a "working cat" able to fend for itself in
rough, woody terrain and under extreme
climatic conditions. The Maine Coon is a
large breed with big ears, broad chest,
substantial boning, a long, hard-muscled,
rectangular body and a long, flowing tail,
and large feet with tufts.
ALLOWANCES:
Standard favors the male.
Allowance MUST be made for a significant
size difference between the male and the
female. Type should not be sacrificed for
size. Breed is slow to mature. Allow for
tight ear set in kittens and wider ear set
in
mature adults. Polydactyly is a trait with
variable expression and may produce
anything from a single extra dew claw
to extra toes on each foot. Any of these
expressions are acceptable and there is
no preference for more rather than
fewer additional toes. Polydactyl mitten
paws may appear to toe out.
PENALIZE:
Eyes: Slanted, almond-shaped Flat
tops on openings.
Ears: Very close, set straight up.
Narrow bases. Wide-set, flared.
Chin: Weak or receding, narrow, lack of
depth.
Muzzle: Prominent whisker pads.
Profile: Straight. Roman nose.
Pronounced bump.
Torso: Narrow.
Tail: Short tail.
Feet: Toes (excluding dewclaws) not
touching the table.
Coat: Lack of slight undercoat or belly
shag . Overall even coat.
Color: Obvious lockets.
Temperament must be unchallenging; any
sign of
definite challenge shall disqualify. The
cat may
exhibit fear, seek to flee, or generally
complain
aloud but may not threaten to harm.
In
accordance with Show Rules, ARTICLE
SIXTEEN, the following shall be considered
mandatory disqualifications:
a cat that bites
(216.9), a cat showing evidence of intent
to
deceive (216.10), adult whole male cats
not
having two descended testicles (216.11),
cats
with all or part of the tail missing ,
except as
authorized by a board approved standard
(216.12.1), cats with more than five toes
on each
front foot and four toes on each back
foot, unless
proved the result of an injury or as
authorized by
a Board approved standard (216.12.2),
visible or
invisible tail faults
if Board approved standard
requires disqualification
(216.12.4), crossed
eyes if
Board approved standard requires
disqualification
(216.12.5), total blindness
(216.12.6), markedly smaller size, not in
keeping
with the breed (216.12.9), and depression
of the
sternum or unusually small diameter of the
rib
cage itself (216.12.11.1). See Show Rules,
ARTICLE SIXTEEN for more comprehensive
rules governing penalties and
disqualifications.
