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Thinking of buying a Maine Coon kitten?
Please review the
following:
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General Statement:
The Maine Coon is a solid, rugged cat and is America's oldest natural
longhaired breed. Type must not be sacrificed for size, nor size for type,
the optimum being a large, typey cat. Females are somewhat smaller than
males, and allowance should be made for the slow maturation of the breed.
Head:
Medium in length and width, with a squareness to the muzzle. Allowance
should be made for broadening in males. Cheek bones high. Nose medium in
length with a gentle, concave curve and no break or bump. Chin firm and in
line with upper lip and nose.
Eyes:
Large, wide set, slightly oblique setting. Eye color can be shades of
green, gold, or copper, though white cats may be blue or odd-eyed. There
is no relationship between eye color and coat color. Clarity of eye color
is desirable.
Ears:
Large, wide at base, moderately pointed and well tufted. Set high on
head approximately an ear's width apart. Lynx-like tipping is
desirable.
Body:
Muscular, medium to large in size, broad chested. Body is long, with
all parts in proportion, creating a rectangular appearance. When viewed
from the rear, there is a definite squareness to the rump. Neck
medium-long.
Legs and Paws:
Legs substantial, wide set, medium in length, contributing to a
rectangular appearance. Paws large, round, well-tufted (five toes in
front, four toes in back).
Tail:
Long, equal to body in length (distance from end of rump to shoulders),
wide at base and tapering. Fur full, long, and flowing.
Coat:
Fur on shoulders is short, gradually increasing in length along back
and sides, ending in full britches and long, shaggy belly fur. Fur is soft
but has body, falls smoothly, and lies close to the body. A slight
undercoat is carried. A full ruff is not expected; however, there should
be a frontal ruff beginning at the base of the ears.
Coat Colors:
All recognized colors. White trim around the chin and lip permitted
except in solid color cats.
Disqualifications:
Buttons, lockets, spots, overall even coat, short cobby body, crossed
eyes, kinked tail, incorrect number of toes.
Penalties:
Delicate bone structures, untufted paws, poor condition, nose break or
bump, undershot chin, short rounded muzzle.
Colors:
The following colors are among those recognized by most registering
associations:
White, black, blue, red, cream.
Silver (chinchilla & shaded), blue-silver (chinchilla &
shaded), cameo (shell, shaded, & smoke), cream cameo (shell, shaded,
& smoke), black smoke, blue smoke, shaded tortoiseshell, shaded blue
tortie, shaded torbie, shaded blue torbie.
Silver tabby (all patterns), blue-silver tabby (all patterns), cameo
tabby (all patterns), cream cameo tabby (all patterns).
Shaded brown or golden tabby (all patterns), red tabby (all patterns),
cream tabby (all patterns), brown tabby (all patterns), blue tabby (all
patterns).
Bi-colors (solids with white), Parti-colors - tortoiseshell, torbie
(patched tabby), calico, blue cream, tabby with white and other colors
with white.
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Code of Ethics
This Code of Ethics is binding on all Breeder Members and Provisional
Breeder Members of the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association
(MCBFA). It sets forth high standards of ethical conduct which constitute
a body of principles upon which Breeders can rely for guidance in specific
situations.
Protection of the Breed. First and foremost, I agree to protect
and preserve the Maine Coon breed by employing responsible practices on
personal, social, and business levels. No Maine Coon Cat shall be bred to
any cat other than a registered Maine Coon Cat. The Maine Coon Cat shall
not be used as an outcross for any other breed.
Aims. In breeding of Maine Coons, I will emphasize good health,
stable temperament, and intelligence, as well as appearance. Consistent
with this policy, I shall breed discriminately and only upon good evidence
of finding satisfactory homes for all kittens. I shall emphasize quality,
not quantity.
Records. I shall keep accurate records of all pedigrees and
matings and shall register breeding stock with at least one recognized cat
association. These records shall be made available, for legitimate
reasons, upon request by a Breeder Member in good standing.
Breeding. I shall plan and implement a breeding program with the
preservation and protection of the breed kept foremost in mind. I will
offer stud service only to breeders with an established cattery registered
in as least one recognized association, and preferably to breeders who are
members of MCBFA.
My breeding stock shall be free from disease or hereditary deformity
and shall exhibit no radical departure from the Maine Coon Standard (e.g.,
monorchidism, deafness, kinked tail, excessive shyness or viciousness,
unusually small size, or other physical or mental abnormalities).
I shall not breed a female until she is at least one year old, unless
she has been in heat twice; I shall not intentionally breed a female more
than twice in twelve months. If a dam has severe birthing difficulties, I
shall alter her.
I agree to allow stud males seven to ten days between breeding females.
I shall arrive at a written agreement concerning shipping and boarding
charges for females sent to a male, registration of the litter, payment
methods for stud service, and options to cover a female's failure to
conceive or her reabsorption of kittens, and shall provide a copy of the
agreement to the owner of the female before the date of breeding.
I shall take care that breeding males and females are not accidentally
bred. Kittens of unknown lineage of offspring of accidental matings to
another breed shall be altered and responsibly placed.
I shall provide proper care for the safe and healthy delivery of
kittens, and shall, whenever possible, be available to assist the queen if
necessary, without undue interference with natural parturition. I shall in
any event assure that a responsible person is available for the birth. I
shall consult a veterinarian at the first sign of life-threatening
difficulty.
I shall have euthanized a kitten born with a deformity which a
veterinarian deems incompatible with a healthy or comfortable life. If I
suspect genetic defects, I shall consult a veterinarian or geneticist as
soon as possible; I shall report all findings to purchasers of kittens
from the same breeding stock, and to the owner/breeder of the sire and/or
dam.
Health. I shall maintain a high standard of health and care,
including adequate room for exercise, regular handling and grooming, clean
and comfortable quarters, adequate ventilation and light, a balanced diet
and clean water, regular inoculations and veterinary care, and love and
affection.
I shall make advance preparations for the care of my cats should I not
be able to care for them.
I shall not allow a cat to run loose outdoors.
I shall provide any outdoor runs with security from weather, other
animals, and parasites.
I shall protect my cat and others by not exposing at shows a cat which
is ill.
I shall not declaw cats bred or owned by me. I shall advise any buyers
of my opposition to this procedure and my reasons for my decision.
Sales. I shall conduct sales in a manner designed to promote
maintenance of the cat's health and to provide reasonable protection for
the buyer.
I shall conduct myself in a professional manner in all sales. I shall
refuse to buy from or sell to, or to recommend breeders who do not conform
to this Code of Ethics. I shall not deal with wholesalers or retailers,
shall not provide a Maine Coon Cat for raffle purposes, or buy and sell in
litter lots.
I shall not allow any kitten to leave my cattery before it is twelve
weeks old, though a sales agreement may be finalized prior to that date,
and shall not ship any kitten before it is twelve weeks old (domestic) or
sixteen weeks old (overseas).
Before selling any kitten, I shall honestly appraise the quality and
potential of the kitten and shall inform the buyer as to the differences
between pet, breeder, and show quality.
I shall encourage buyers to join MCBFA and shall provide an MCBFA
Information booklet to all buyers. I shall continue to be available to all
buyers for advice on the proper care of the cat or kitten.
I shall put into writing all sales transactions, with buyer and seller
each holding a copy of the agreement. The written contract of sale should
contain:
- Complete description of kitten/cat to be sold, including color,
quality, and sex.
- Immunizations received (recommended: feline enteritis, feline
rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and chlamydia) and a health record sheet.
- A guarantee of freedom from external and internal parasites.
- Written instructions on the care, feeding, and accomodations of the
kitten/cat.
- Clear and specific enumeration of the buyer's responsibilities to
the breeder, including the procedure and time period for notification of
defects and other limitation of guarantee.
- Whether registration papers and pedigrees will be provided at the
time of sale (breeder and show quality kittens) or within thirty days
after receipt of proof of alteration (pet quality kittens).
- Additionally, I shall provide for breeder and show quality animals a
five-generation pedigree complete with registration numbers and colors.
- I shall also specify in the sales contract the course of action to
be taken should kitten/cat prove to be sterile, in poor health or
suspected of a genetic defect, or incompatible with the buyer's family.
Advertising. Advertising, written or oral, shall be factual and
not misleading, shall be in conformity with federal, state, or local
consumer protection laws, and shall contain no price quotations.
While I am a Provisional Breeder Member, I shall not advertise myself
as an MCBFA member, recognizing that such designation is reserved for
those who have achieved full Breeder Member Status.
Sponsorship. While I am a Provisional Member, I shall maintain
close relations with my sponsor and shall use my sponsor as a guide and
resource in this period.
After I have advanced to Breeder Membership, I shall view any role as a
sponsor of another beginning breeder as a solemn and meaningful one.
I shall endeavor to know as well as possible the person whom I sponsor,
the breeding program planned, the conditions of the cattery involved, the
extent to which the person is truly devoted to advancing and protecting
the breed, to what extent the person is making an effort to meet and get
to know other breeders and to participate in showing the Maine Coon Cat.
I shall try to limit my sponsorship role to my own geographical region
and to sponsor only so many at one time as I am truly able to guide and
help.
Sportsmanship. I shall behave at all times in a manner that will
reflect credit upon myself, the Maine Coon Cat, and MCFBA. I agree to
abide by the rules and customs that govern each show, whether I am a
spectator or exhibitor. I shall view success as a concern secondary to the
health and well-being of the cat and to my relationship with others among
the cat fancy and MCBFA.
Agreements. In accordance with MCBFA's strong recommendations, I
shall document in writing all transactions, including contracts for stud
service, sales of kittens/cats, agency agreements, leasing arrangements,
and the like. I shall also follow MCBFA's recommendation that all moneys
be exchanged by check and that receipts shall be issued for all payments
received.
Enforcement. I am aware that upon sufficient proof of violation
of this Code of Ethics, action shall proceed according to Article 7 of the
MCBFA By-Laws.
Amendments. The MCBFA Code of Ethics may be amended by action of
the Executive Council upon recommendation from the Ethics Committee.
[Top of the page]
Buyer Responsibilities
If you have decided to buy a Maine Coon kitten, the following are your
responsibilities:
- Unless special arrangements are made with the breeder in advance,
kittens should be paid for before shipping and the buyer should expect
to pay all shipping charges. The buyer should also be prepared to pay
for a rabies shot if it is required for shipping.
- The buyer should be prepared to supply an airline carrier for
shipping. The buyer may use his own carrier, supply funds for the
breeder to purchase one, or in some cases borrow one from the breeder.
- The buyer should be waiting at the freight office to pick up the
kitten. As soon as possible, the buyer must notify the breeder, by
telephone, that the kitten has arrived.
- MCBFA recommends that the kitten be examined by a veterinarian
within 48 hours of its arrival (excluding Sundays and holidays).
Thereafter, a vet's services should be used whenever necessary.
- The buyer should expect the kitten to be nervous and off its diet
for a day or so, until it becomes accustomed to its new surroundings. Do
not feed the kitten immediately upon its arrival; offer it only fresh
water. The kitten should be kept in a small, quiet area with water and
its litter box until it begins to become adjusted.
- Your cat should be combed often enough to keep it free of hair mats.
Provide companionship every day.
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MCBFA's Guarantee
Should a veterinarian find a cat or kitten in ill health within 48
hours of arrival (excluding Sundays and holidays), the breeder shall be
responsible for any related vet's bills. However, the buyer must
immediately notify the breeder by phone of any illness or other problems.
If requested, the buyer must provide the breeder with a written vet's
report. Should a cat or kitten die from an illness contracted prior to
shipment, the breeder must replace the cat with one of equal value, or
refund the purchase price plus cost of shipping. The total liability of
the breeder shall in no case exceed the purchase price plus cost of
shipping.
The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association as an organization
subscribes to the Guarantee above, and each of its individual members is
expected to abide by it. Members failing to adhere to the MCBFA Guarantee
will be subject to action by the association.
The purchase of a cat or kitten should be handled as any business
transaction and be fully documented in writing. For the protection of all
concerned, the use of sales contracts between buyer and seller is strongly
urged. MCBFA regrets that it cannot be responsible for the liabilities of
its individual members.
MCBFA attempts to ensure that healthy kittens are sold by its member
catteries, but MCBFA cannot guarantee the show or breeding potential of
those kittens. MCBFA strongly recommends that any purchaser becomes well
informed about the Maine Coon Standard and the meaning of cat show awards
before acquiring a show/breeding cat or kitten.
[Top of the page]
FIFe
Standard
| II |
MCO |
Maine Coon Standard |
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|
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. |
| General |
Appearance |
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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
10 |
| Condition |
|
|
5 |
| Recognized Colour
Varieties |
| Remarks |
The Maine Coon is judged in one of the
following colour variety groups, i.e. in each colour variety group
a certificate can be awarded. |
| Colour |
EMS Code |
| Group I |
| Black/Blue |
MCO n/a |
| Group II |
| Black/Blue with white |
MCO n/a 01/02/03/09 |
| Group III |
| Black/Blue agouti |
MCO n/a 22/23/24/25 |
| Black/Blue golden |
MCO n/a y 11/12/22/23/24/25 |
| Group IV |
| Black/Blue agouti with white |
MCO n/a 01/02/03/09 21/22/23/24/25 |
| Black/Blue golden with white |
MCO n/a y 01/02/03/09 11/12/21/22/23/24/25 |
| Group V |
| Red/Cream/Tortie solid/agouti |
MCO d/e/f/g |
| MCO d/e/f/g 22/23/24/25 |
| Red/Cream/Tortie golden |
MCO d/e/f/g y 11/12/22/23/24/25 |
| Group VI |
| Red/Cream/Tortie solid/agouti
with white |
MCO d/e/f/g 01/02/03/09 |
| MCO d/e/f/g 01/02/03/09 21/22/23/24/25 |
| Red/Cream/Tortie golden with white |
MCO d/e/f/g y 01/02/03/09
11/12/21/22/23/24/25 |
| Group VII |
| Black/Blue/Red/Cream smoke/silver |
MCO n/a/d/e s |
| MCO n/a/d/e s 11/12/22/23/24/25 |
| Tortie smoke |
MCO f/g s |
| Tortie silver |
MCO f/g s 11/12/22/23/24/25 |
| Group VIII |
| Black/Blue/Red/Cream smoke/silver
with white |
MCO n/a/d/e s 01/02/03/09 |
| MCO n/a/d/e s 01/02/03/09
11/12/21/22/23/24/25 |
| Tortie smoke with white |
MCO f/g s 01/02/03/09 |
| Tortie silver with white |
MCO f/g s 01/02/03/09 11/12/21/22/23/24/25 |
| Group IX |
| White |
MCO w |
| with blue eyes |
|
| with orange eyes |
|
| odd eyed |
|
| with green eyes |
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[Top of the page]
The
Governing Council of the Cat Fancy
|
The
Maine Coon is a semi-longhaired cat of medium Foreign type and is
distinguished by its large size, bone structure, rectangular
appearance and flowing coat. Many colour combinations are accepted
but colour' is of far less importance than type, size and coat
quality. The Maine Coon evolved as a working domesticated cat in a
rural environment; this role is reflected in a muscular cat of
rugged outdoor appearance with a characteristic weather-proof coat
and the demeanor of an alert capable hunter.
Head
Medium
in length, the nasal bridge being equidistant from the ear line and
the tip of the nose, with the width being slightly less than the
length of the head. Allowance should be made for additional breadth
or jowls in mature males. The
muzzle should be square with firm chin; Chin, upper lip and nose
leather should fall in a perpendicular line. Cheeks fairly full,
with high cheek bones. Bit level. Nose of uniform width with shallow
concave at the nasal bridge when viewed in profile, and without a
sharp break or stop. Large, tall ears, wide at base and tapering to
appear pointed at the tip; set high but well apart.
Eyes
Full
and round, spaced wide apart with a slightly oblique aperture and
set. Shades of green, gold or copper; coat colour and eye colour may
be unrelated. Odd or blue eyes are permissible in White cats.
Body
Large
to medium size, solid and muscular with breadth of chest. Long back
with proportionate limbs to create the characteristic rectangular
appearance; square rump. Since the Maine Coon is slow to mature
(taking up to 4 years), allowances should be made when judging
younger cats. Neck,
moderately long; particularly thick and muscular in mature males.
Substantial legs with large round paws; toes carried close,
five in front, four behind. Tail long,
at least as long as the length of the back, wide at the base
and tapering towards the.
Coat
Waterproof
and virtually self maintaining, consisting of an undercoat covered
by a more substantial glossy top coat. Fur shorter on the head, neck
and shoulders increasing in length down the back flanks and tail. A
fluffy appearance is undesirable. Breeches and belly fur full and
shaggy. Tail fur long, profuse and flowing; not bushy. Ears
feathered and preferably tufted at the tips; the ear feathering
should extend beyond the outer edges of the ear. Paws tufted, with
long tufts emanating from under the paws, extending backwards to
create a snowshoe effect. Coat colour and markings are of less
importance than coat type and quality. The cat loses coat during the
summer months.
|
|
SCALE
OF POINTS
Head:
Including general shape and proportions; shape, size
and ear set; shape, size, set and colour of eyes; nose length and
profile; cheeks, muzzle and chin; teeth
|
35 |
|
Body:
Including shape and proportions; size, bone
structure, muscularity and condition, height
and thickness of legs; shape and size of paws; shape and length of
tail .
|
35 |
|
Coat:
Including length, texture and frontal ruff; ear
feathering and tufting; tail furnishings; paw furnishings
|
20 |
| Colour
and pattern
|
10 |
|
Withhold
certificates for:
-
Cobby
body shape and/or fine bone structure
-
Blue
or odd eyes in cats of a colour other than white
-
More
than one third of the fur white in Bicolour and Particolour cats
-
Definite
nose break
-
Overall
even coat length
-
Untufted
paws
-
Any
defect as listed in the preface to the GCCF Standard of Points
Booklet
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