maine maine largest breed cat distinctive physical appearance valuable hunting skills oldest natural breeds north_america specifically native state maine simply introduced official state cat records maine exact origins date introduction united_states exist competing suggested breed popular cat shows late 19th century existence threatened long haired breeds overseas introduced early 20th century maine comeback popular cat breeds world maine large cat nickname gentle giant characterized robust bone structure rectangular body shape silky flowing coat long tail breed colors vary widely chocolate pedigree reputed intelligence playful gentle personality maine cited having dog like characteristics professionals notice certain health problems breed including hip breeders use modern screening methods minimize frequency problems history origin ancestral origins maine unknown speculation folk tales folk tale involves queen france executed story goes death attempted escape france help captain loaded ship prized possessions including favorite cats united_states pets safely reached shores maine bred short haired breeds developed modern breed maine folk tale involves captain english kept long haired cats aboard ships ship anchor new_england ports exit ship mate local feral cat population long haired began appearing litters local cat population referred cats myth trait based genetically impossible idea modern maine descended ancestors semi feral domestic cats myth likely based common color breed brown tail idea maine originated domestic cats wild explain hairs commonly seen tips ears generally accepted hypothesis breeders maine descended local short haired domestic cats long haired breeds brought overseas english possibly captain 11th century connection seen strong resemblance maine breed said descendant cats traveled cat shows popularity mention literary work book cat owned wrote chapter breed late 1860s farmers located maine told stories cats held contest local dozen entered boston north american cat hosted madison square garden new_york_city female maine brown named entered owned won silver collar medal named best silver collar purchased help donation collar housed jean baker rose memorial library early 20th century popularity began decline introduction long haired breeds persian originated middle_east recorded win maine national cat years portland oregon breed rarely seen decline severe breed declared extinct 1950s declaration considered exaggerated reported prematurely time created early 1950s attempts increase popularity maine years held cat shows hosted exhibitions photographs breed noted creating written breed standards maine maine denied provisional breed status steps required breed recognized able compete championship competitions times led formation breed finally accepted provisional status approved championship status couple decades saw rise popularity maine championship victories increase national rankings state maine announced breed named official today popular cat breed according number registered breed description largest breed domestic cat average males weigh females weighing height adults vary reach length including tail reach length long tapering heavily resembling tail body solid muscular necessary supporting weight chest broad possess rectangular body shape slow physically mature potential size normally reached years old cats year accepted male maine named longest cat measuring tip nose tip tail died february cancer home nevada age overlap length lighter build lower height maine medium haired cat coat soft silky texture vary coat color length shorter head shoulders longer stomach flanks cats having lion like neck minimal required breed compared long haired breeds coat self maintaining owing light density coat subject seasonal variation fur thicker winter thinner summer colors cats colors indicating chocolate pointed patterns patterns accepted breed standards pattern example accepted common pattern seen breed brown eye colors accepted breed standards exception occurrence blue colored odd eyes eyes different colors cats possessing coat colors white physical adaptations survival harsh winter climates dense water resistant fur longer underside rear extra protection walking sitting wet surfaces snow ice long like tail resistant sinking snow face shoulders warmth protection wind blowing snow like seat sitting snow ice surface large especially extra large facilitate walking snow compared long fur growing toes help toes warm aid walking snow giving additional structure significant extra weight heavily ears extra long fur growing inside help ears warm original maine cats inhabited new_england area possessed trait known having extra toes feet sources claim trait thought occurred approximately maine population maine time little evidence given claim rarely seen ring unacceptable competition standards gene simple dominant gene shown pose threat cat health trait breed fact automatic rings private organizations breeders created order disappearing known gentle giants possess average intelligence making relatively easy train known loyal family cautious mean strangers independent maine generally known lap cat gentle disposition makes breed relaxed dogs cats children playful lives males tending females generally possessing dignity equally fascination water personality trait comes ancestors aboard ships lives known vocal cats known frequent making loud diet require ample protein nutrients large cat breed high levels energy best feed quality food needs fulfilled dry food wet food wet food mixed dry food times week feeding cat quality dry food reduce build teeth avoid grain based foods cat natural diet contain grain grain lead diabetes eat food lists grains ingredient label food lists meat ingredient best maine cats develop plastic best eat glass steel bowl health pet insurance data obtained study years sweden puts median lifespan maine years lived years lived years generally healthy hardy breed adapted survive new_england climate severe threat common heart disease seen cats pure bred thought inherited dominant trait middle aged older cats males thought disease progressive disease result heart failure hind legs originating heart sudden death specific causes seen testing services offered tested lab located approximately tested positive cats tested positive clinical signs disease maine cats clinical evidence test negative strongly suggesting second exists breed prevalence found study potential health problem spinal muscular genetically inherited disease causes loss spinal cord activate skeletal muscles trunk limbs symptoms normally seen months age result muscle muscle weakness shortened life span test offered detect genes responsible hip hip joint cause cats commonly affected hip tend males larger big breeds similar situation dogs relatively smaller size weight cats frequently results symptoms pronounced rays submitted indicates database maine cat breed listed database kidney disease slowly progressive disease affecting persian persian related breeds fluid filled expand destroying functional tissue observed low appears particular breed recent study spanning years documented healthy enrolled pre breeding screening programme single small mean diameter located junction different size numbers location observed persian related breeds study maine cats test negative proving disease cats unrelated observed related breeds gene cats failed demonstrate common genetic sequences presence absence changes appear negatively impact patients quality life follow available reported alive adulthood exact nature clinical relevance currently unknown screening recommended pre breeding assessment currently valid method detection breed
Maine Coon