History of a breed

The history of the domestication of Maine Coon cats numbers more than 7000 years. For all this time the cats have have been being faithful allies of people and inhabitants of many homes. These pets draw us by its soften, grace, answer to frank attachment with its endearment. At once no one pet is so mysterious and independent as domestic cats. Nonrandom the army of the admirer of this indeed kingly cat grows up from year to year . At present time many breeds of domestic cats are nurtured, which are notable for peculiarities of appearance and behavior. Everybody can choose a pet for himself exactly that breed which does for him. Last time the breeds which strikes by its unusual and often exotic look at first site became the most popular. Maine Coon cats are distinguished among them by its size and grand view. The cats of this breed look very originally. Its real giant among domestic cats. Its middle weight is nearly 9 kg, They have soften hair and tufted ears. They are notable for calm and complaisant character. Maine Coon is an aboriginal North America breed.

It is often called national breed. The name of the breed of cats descends from the word “Maine” which formed from the name of the state Maine situating to the north-east USA where these cats were widespread and “Coon” which formed form the word “raccoon”. The second part of the name “Maine coon” was formed thank to its often founded striped colour. There is one legend about the origin of Maine Coon cats. Somebody thinks that the fist Maine Coon cats appeared thank to cross between the European cat and wild raccoon from which they inherited the striped colour, luxuriant hair and well full-fledged hunting instincts. It is natural that such crossing is impossible because raccoons and cats refer to different types of the predatory mammals. But the legend has continued to this day. According to another opinion Maine Coon cats could arise thank to crossing between growing wild cat and American lynx. But it’s unlikely too.

But for the time being it’s exactly known that Maine Coon is one of the eldest aboriginal breeds in Northern America. The history of this breed accumulated with many legends and myths. One of them is about the origin of Maine Coon breed from the French queen Marie Antoinette cats. In accordance with the legend the queen had six favourite cats. During the great French Revolution the queen decided to escape from France to America. She took along the most valuable things including fluffy pets. They were given to captain Samuel Clough. The captain made they with his wife home in the state Maine. He took the queen’s cats there. Being in America the cats made friends with the local inhabitants and at once became the ancestors of the new breed named Maine Coon.