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