Maine Coon – People-Oriented and Affectionate “Dog Cat” from Harry Potter

This four legged movie star also shows what Maine Coons are known for: like a dog, he accompanies his master and even reports naughty students to him. Hard to believe, but some Maine Coons even like to retrieve. Due to this and its strong connection to people, the Maine Coon is also known as a “dog cat”.

Maine Coons are very people-oriented and affectionate. When interacting, Maine Coons are sociable and friendly, both to other cats as well as dogs and children. They like to have regular play sessions, which can be accompanied by a type of cooing or crowing if energetic. The breed is also a good hunter. In the USA it is still recognised as a “working cat”, a mouse and rat-catcher.

The Maine Coon is a lively cat that likes to hunt and play. This feline with a strong drive to be active is most happy when she can enjoy the outdoors. A Maine Coon’s size and weight pose certain demands on the equipment needed: they need lots of space in the home, a stable scratching post with sufficiently sized lying areas and a large cat toilet. Coat care is also important: as a semi-longhaired cat the Maine Coon needs help to maintain a silky, groomed coat without mating in the undercoat, especially during shedding. For house cats that do not go outside, generally an occasional brushing should suffice, particularly when the coat is less dense and long.

Maine Coon cats have almost every coat and eye colour. According to the breed standard, the colour of the eyes should be clear and match the coat: black, white, red, blue or cream – only gold is not recognised. With coat markings, everything except for “ticked”, (multi-coloured kemp), is allowed. The first American show cat is now allowed at some associations. The requirements differ slightly – for example, where the coat colour is concerned. But there are also characteristics that are the same for all, how wide apart the eyes are and big ears with a broad base.

The origin of the Maine Coon is shrouded in legend: some stories claim that the Maine Coon is a hybrid of a cat and a racoon. Others think that the cat originates from a breed of the former French Queen Marie Antoinette. In reality, little is known of the origin of the cat in the north east of the United States. Its ancestors adapted to the climatic conditions there, which is why the Maine Coon is so robust. It has a semi-long, dense and water-repellent coat that also protects it from rough weather. The breed has systematically been bred since the 1960’s and in 1983 the FIFe also recognised the Maine Coon as a separate breed. Because, no matter how the Maine Coon came to be, now it is also a beloved and well known purebred cat over here.

Maine Coon cats are late developers, and are fully grown by three to four years. The average Maine Coon age is approx. 12.5 years but 20-year-old “old-timers” have been known as well. The Maine Coon cat defies wind and weather with its coat and paws optimised for adventures in the snow. Due to its origin, this house cat cannot tolerate too warm an environment. The Maine Coon is especially skilful with its paws, using them to transport food from the ground to the mouth. Magic? Maybe it did learn something from Harry Potter – or is just very smart.