Chapter
27: Maine Coon
CFA Standard
POINT SCORE
HEAD (30)
Shape .......... 15
Ears ........... 10
Eyes ........... 5
BODY (35)
Shape .......... 20
Neck ........... 5
Legs and Feet .. 5
Tail ........... 5
COAT ................ 20
COLOR (15)
Body color ..... 10
Eye color ...... 5
GENERAL: originally a working cat, the Maine Coon is solid, rugged, and can endure a harsh climate. A
distinctive characteristic is its smooth, shaggy coat. A well proportioned and balanced appearance with no part of
the cat being exaggerated. With an essentially amiable disposition, it has adapted to varied environments.
HEAD SHAPE: medium in width and slightly longer in length than width with a squareness to the muzzle.
Allowance should be made for broadening in older studs. Cheekbones high.
MUZZLE/CHIN: is visibly square, medium in length and blunt ended when viewed in profile. It may give the
appearance of being a rectangle but should not appear to be tapering or pointed. Length and width of the muzzle
should be proportionate to the rest of the head and present a pleasant, balanced appearance. The chin should be
strong, firm and in line with the upper lip and nose. When viewed in profile the chin depth should be observable
and give the impression of a square, 90-degree angle. A chin lacking in depth, i.e. one that tapers from the jaw
line to the lip, is not considered strong, firm or desirable.
PROFILE: should be proportionate to the overall length of the head and should exhibit a slight concavity
when viewed in profile. The profile should be relatively smooth and free of pronounced bumps and/or humps. A
profile that is straight from the brow line to the tip of the nose is not acceptable, nor should the profile show signs
of having a "break" or "stop."
EARS: Shape: large, well-tufted, wide at base, tapering to appear pointed. Set: approximately one ear's with
apart at the base, not flared.
EYES: large, expressive, wide set. Slightly oblique setting with slant toward outer base of ear.
NECK: medium long.
BODY SHAPE: muscular, broad-chested. Size medium to large. Females generally are smaller than males. The
body should be long with all parts in proportion to create a well-balanced rectangular appearance with no part of
the anatomy being so exaggerated as to foster weakness. Allowance should be made for slow maturation.
LEGS and FEET: legs substantial, wide set, of medium length, and in proportion to the body. Forelegs straight.
Back legs are straight when viewed from behind. Paws large, round, well-tufted. Five toes in front; four in back.
TAIL: long, wide at base, and tapering. Fur long and flowing.
COAT: heavy and shaggy; shorter on the shoulders and longer on the stomach and britches. Frontal ruff
desirable. Texture silky with coat falling smoothly .
PENALIZE: a coat that is short or overall even.
DISQUALIFY: delicate bone structure. Undershot chin, i.e. the front teeth (incisors) of the lower jaw
overlapping or projecting beyond the front teeth of the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. Crossed eyes.
Kinked tail. Incorrect number of toes. White buttons, white lockets, or white spots. Cats showing evidence of
hybridization resulting in the colors chocolate, lavender, the Himalayan pattern; or unpatterned agouti on the body
(i.e. Abyssinian type ticked tabby).
MAINE COON CAT COLORS
EYE COLOR: eye color should be shades of green, gold, or copper, though white cats may also be either blue
or odd-eyed. There is no relationship between eye color and coat color.
Solid Color Class
WHITE: pure glistening white. Nose leather and paw pads: pink.
BLACK: dense coal black, sound from roots to tip of fur. Free from any tinge of rust on tips or smoke
undercoat. Nose leather: black. Paw pads: black or brown.
BLUE: one level tone from nose to tip of tail. Sound to the roots. Nose leather and paw pads: blue.
RED: deep, rich, clear, brilliant red; without shading, markings, or ticking. Lips and chin the same color as coat.
Nose leather and paw pads: brick red.
CREAM: one level shade of buff cream, without markings. Sound to the roots. Nose leather and paw pads:
pink.
Tabby Patterns
CLASSIC TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets
coming up to meet the body markings. Tail evenly ringed. Several unbroken necklaces on neck and upper chest,
the more the better. Frown marks on forehead form an intricate letter "M". Unbroken line runs back from outer
corner of eye. Swirls on cheeks. Vertical lines over back of head extend to shoulder markings which are in the
shape of a butterfly with both upper and lower wings distinctly outlined and marked with dots inside outline. Back
markings consist of a vertical line down the spine from butterfly to tail with a vertical stripe paralleling it on each
side, the three stripes well separated by stripes of the ground color. Large solid blotch on each side to be
encircled by one or more unbroken rings. Side markings should be the same on both sides. Double vertical rows
of buttons on chest and stomach.
MACKEREL TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and all narrow pencillings. Legs evenly
barred with narrow bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail barred. Necklaces on neck and chest
distinct, like so many chains. Head barred with an "M" on the forehead. Unbroken lines running back from the
eyes. Lines running down the head to meet the shoulders. Spine lines run together to form a narrow saddle.
Narrow pencillings run around body.
PATCHED TABBY PATTERN: a patched tabby (torbie) is an established silver, brown, blue, or blue-silver
tabby with patches of red and/or cream.
Brown Tabby Color Class
BROWN TABBY (classic, mackerel, patched): ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black.
Back of leg black from paw to heel. White trim around lip and chin allowed. Nose leather and paw pads: black
or brown desirable.
All Other Tabby Colors Class
SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, patched): ground color pale, clear silver. Markings dense black. White
trim around lip and chin allowed. Nose leather: brick red desirable. Paw pads: black desirable.
BLUE-SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, patched): Ground color pale, clear silver. Markings a deep blue
affording a good contrast with ground color. White trim around lip and chin allowed. Nose leather: old rose
desirable. Paw pads: rose desirable.
RED TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color red. Markings deep, rich red. White trim around lip and chin
allowed. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red desirable.
BLUE TABBY (classic, mackerel, patched): ground color pale bluish Ivory. Markings a very deep blue
affording a good contrast with ground color. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole. White trim around
lip and chin allowed. Nose leather: old rose desirable. Paw pads: rose desirable.
CREAM TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color very pale cream. Markings of buff or cream sufficiently
darker than the ground color to afford good contrast but remaining within the dilute range. White trim around lip
and chin allowed. Nose leather and paw pads: pink desirable.
CAMEO TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color off-white. Markings red. White trim around lip and chin
allowed. Nose leather and paw pads: rose desirable.
Brown Tabby & White Color Class
BROWN TABBY AND WHITE (classic, mackerel, patched): color as defined for tabby with or without
white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly and all four paws. White on one-third of the body is desirable.
BROWN VAN TABBY AND WHITE (classic, mackerel, patched): white with color confined to the
extremities: head, tails, legs. One or two small colored patches on body allowable. Tabby pattern to be present in
the colored markings.
BROWN PATCHED AND WHITE [including vans (classic, mackerel)]: color as defined for the patched
tabby (torbie) but with a distribution of white markings as described in brown tabby with white. Color as
described for patched tabby.
All Other Tabby & White Colors Color Class
TABBY& WHITE (classic, mackerel): color as defined for tabby with or without white on the face. Must have
white on bib, belly, and all four paws. White on one-third of body is desirable. Colors accepted are silver, blue,
blue-silver, red, cream, or cameo.
VAN TABBY: white with color confined to the extremities: head, tail, and legs. One or two small colored
patches on body allowable. Tabby pattern to be present in the colored markings.
PATCHED TABBY WITH WHITE (torbie with white): color as described for patched tabby (torbie) but
with distribution of white markings as described in tabby with white. Color as described for patched tabby
(torbie) with or without white on face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws. White on one-third of
body desirable. Colors accepted are blue, silver or blue-silver.
BLUE SILVER TABBY AND WHITE: color as defined for tabby with or without white on the face. Must
have white on bib, belly and all four paws. White on one-third of the body is desirable.
Parti-Color Class
TORTOISESHELL: black with unbrindled patches of red and cream. Patches clearly defined and well broken
on both body and extremities. Blaze of red or cream on face is desirable.
TORTOISESHELL WITH WHITE: color as defined for tortoiseshell with or without white on the face. Must
have white on bib, belly, and all four paws. White on one-third of body is desirable.
CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of black and red. White predominant on underparts.
DILUTE CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of blue and cream. White predominant on underparts.
BLUE-CREAM: blue with patches of solid cream. Patches clearly defined and well broken on both body and
extremities.
BLUE-CREAM WITH WHITE: color as defined for blue-cream with or without white on the face. Must have
white on bib, belly. and all four paws. White on one-third of the body is desirable.
BI-COLOR: a combination of a solid color with white. The colored areas predominate with the white portions
being located on the face, chest, belly, legs, and feet. Colors accepted are red, black, blue, or cream.
VAN BI-COLOR: white with color confined to the extremities: head, tail, and legs. One or two small colored
patches on body allowable.
Other Maine Coon Colors Class
CHINCHILLA SILVER: undercoat pure white. Coat on back. flanks, head, and tail sufficiently tipped with
black to give the characteristic sparkling silver appearance. Legs may be slightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear
tufts, stomach, and chest, pure white. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: brick red.
Paw pads: black.
SHADED SILVER: undercoat white with a mantle of black tipping shading down from sides, face, and tail from
dark on the ridge to white on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail. Legs to be the same tone as the face.
The general effect to be much darker than a chinchilla. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose
leather: brick red. Paw pads: black.
SHELL CAMEO (Red Chinchilla): undercoat white, the coat on the back, flanks, head, and tail to be
sufficiently tipped with red to give the characteristic sparkling appearance. Face and legs may be very slightly
shaded with tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest white. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose.
SHADED CAMEO (Red Shaded): undercoat white with a mantle of red tipping shading down the sides, face,
and tail from dark on the ridge to white on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail. Legs to be the same tone
as face. The general effect to be much redder than the Shell Cameo. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw
pads: rose.
BLACK SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with black. Cat in repose appears black. In motion the white
undercoat is clearly apparent. Points and mask black with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin
which may be seen only when fur is parted. Light silver frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: black.
BLUE SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with blue. Cat in repose appears blue. In motion the white
undercoat is clearly apparent. Points and mask blue with narrow band of white hairs next to skin which may be
seen only when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: blue.
CAMEO SMOKE (Red Smoke): white undercoat, deeply tipped with red. Cat in repose appears red. In
motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Points and mask red with narrow band of white at base of hairs
next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose.
BLUE-CREAM SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with blue, with clearly defined patches of cream as
in the pattern of the blue-cream. Cat in repose appears blue-cream. In motion, the white undercoat is clearly
apparent. Face and ears blue-cream pattern with narrow band of white at the base of the hairs next to the skin
which may be seen only when the fur is parted. White ruff and ear tufts. Blaze of cream on face is desirable.
TORTIE SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with black with clearly defined unbrindled patches of red
and cream. Cat in repose appears tortoiseshell. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face and ears
tortoiseshell pattern with narrow band of white at the base of the hairs next to the skin that may be seen only when
fur is parted. White ruff and ear tufts. Blaze of red or cream on face is desirable.
SMOKE WITH WHITE: Color as defined for smokes with or without white on the face. Must have white on
bib, belly, and all four paws. White on one-third of the body is desirable.
OMCCC (Other Maine Coon Cat Colors): any other color with the exception of those showing hybridization
resulting in the colors chocolate, lavender, the Himalayan pattern; the unpatterned agouti on the body (i.e.
Abyssinian type ticked tabby), or these combinations with white.
The following information is for reference purposes only, and not an official part of the CFA Show
Standard.
MAINE COON CAT COLOR CLASS NUMBERS
Solid Colors.................. 1700 1701
(White, Black, Blue,
Red, or Cream)
Brown Tabby .................. 1744 1745
(Classic, Mackerel, Patched)
All Other Tabby Colors ....... 1736 1737
(Blue, Silver, Blue-Silver [Classic, Mackerel,
Patched], Red, Cream, Cameo,
Blue-Silver [Classic, Mackerel])
Brown Tabby & White (including Vans) 1778 1779
(Classic, Mackerel, Patched)
All Other Tabby & White Colors
(including Vans) ............. 1758 1759
(Blue, Silver, Blue-Silver [Classic, Mackerel,
Patched], Red, Cream, Cameo,
Blue-Silver [Classic, Mackerel])
Parti-Colors ................. 1746 1747
(Tortoiseshell, Calico, Dilute
Calico, Blue-Cream, Bi-Color, Van
Bi-Color, Blue-Cream & White,
Tortoiseshell & White)
OMCC (Other Maine Coon Colors) 1796 1797
(Chinchilla Silver, Shaded
Cameo, Shaded Silver, Shell Cameo,
Black Smoke, Blue Smoke, Blue-Cream
Smoke, Cameo Smoke, Tortie Smoke,
Smoke & White, and any other color
with the exception of those showing
hybridization resulting in the
colors chocolate, lavender, the
himalayan pattern; the unpatterned
agouti on the body [i.e.,
Abyssinian-type ticked tabby] or
these combinations with white.)
AOV ........................... 1798 1799
* Maine Coon Cat allowable outcross breeds: none.
|
|