| The Maine Coon cat is a very interesting breed of cat. | | | | Another theory was that a English Ship Captain and |
| What make's it such a interesting breed is it's history. | | | | his name was Captain Coon, he was fond of cats and |
| There is no set in stone history of the breed. There | | | | had cats aboard his ship. Since he traded goods on |
| are many theories and stories of it's origin. | | | | the Eastern Seaboard, the theory goes some of his |
| Some people believe the breed came about when | | | | cats might have jumped shipped and breed with local |
| New England domestic cats breed with Raccoons. | | | | cats. Hence the Maine Coon came about. |
| The Maine Coon sometimes makes a chirp sound that | | | | All these could be true but, no one can be sure. We |
| somewhat sounds like the same sound a young | | | | can rule out that they did not come from Raccoons or |
| Raccoon makes, not to mention that it's bushy ring tail | | | | American Bobcats. Most likely they are descended |
| resembles that of the ring tail of a Raccoon. However | | | | from shorthair cats that Americans owned that |
| we now know that it is genetically impossible for | | | | probably breed with longhair cats that where brought |
| domestic cats to breed with Raccoons. | | | | over in sailing ships. During the 1860's Maine farmers |
| Another theory is that the ancestors came from | | | | began having a cat show at the Skowhegan Fair and |
| Norwegian Skogkatts brought over by the Vikings. This | | | | people would bring their Maine Coons to the show. |
| is also very hard to track down and provide proof of. | | | | They would compete for the title of "Maine State |
| Some people believe that instead of breeding with | | | | Champion Coon Cat". This breed also probably |
| raccoons, that the Maine Coon was interbreed with | | | | developed as it did to deal with the harsh climate. |
| the American Bobcat. Here again we know that this is | | | | A very big show was held in New York in 1895. The |
| genetically impossible. | | | | show was won by a Maine cat called "Cosey". |
| However there is a record showing the Maine Coon is | | | | A real interesting fact about the Maine Coon was that |
| listed in a program of a show held in Boston. This | | | | it was declared extinct in the late 1950's. However |
| show was held in 1878. | | | | history shows that this was an exaggeration and in the |
| Some people believe that the Maine Coon can be | | | | early 1950's the Central Maine Cat Club was formed. In |
| traced back to France. The story goes that Maria | | | | 1968 a plan was proposed to create a universal Maine |
| Antoinette was going to be smuggled out of France | | | | Coon Cat Club. In 1969-70 the first attempt was made |
| and a ship was loaded with her belongings, including | | | | to get the Maine Coon to a provisional status however, |
| some of her favorite cats. She was captured before | | | | it was not given provisional status until May 1, 1975. |
| she could get to this ship and the ship sailed without | | | | After that championship status occurred May 1, 1976. |
| her. The ship came to America and her cats breed | | | | The breed has been going strong ever since. The |
| with American cats and the Maine Coon came from | | | | Maine Coon is a very special cat and they make for |
| that breeding. | | | | wonderful companions. |