Breed Standard

Standard

PERMISSIBLE OUTCROSSES: None.
Overall balance and proportion are essential to the Maine Coon and no one feature should dominate the eye's attention over any other.

HEAD:
Shape:
Broad, modified wedge. Size in proportion to body. Slightly longer than wide. Distinct muzzle break can be seen under high prominent cheekbones.

Eyes:
Large, slightly oval, appear round when wide open. Outer corner of eye points toward outer base of ear. Wide-set.

Color:
Any shade of green and/or gold. No relationship to coat color. Blue and odd-eyes accepted in whites and particolors.

Ears:
Large, wide at base with outer base set just slightly farther back than inner  base. Outer base just above the level of the top of the eye. Outside edges have a very slight outward tilt that is not past eleven and one o'clock. Set fairly high on head with inner edge of ear bases no more than one ear's width apart. Taller than the width at base but still in balance with head length. Moderately pointed ears appear taller due to lynx tips. Furnishings extend beyond outer edge of ear.

Chin:
Wide and deep enough to complete square look of muzzle. Firm, in line with upper lip.

Muzzle:
Square.

Profile:
Gently curving forehead. Gentle concave curve at bridge of nose flowing into a smooth nose line. Slight nose bump allowed in kittens.


BODY:
Torso:
Large, long, substantial, rectangular, equal in breadth from shoulders to hips. Broad chest. Level back. Females may be noticeably smaller than males.

Legs:
Medium length to form a rectangle with the body.

Feet:
Large, round and welltufted. Tail: At least as long as the body. Wide at base and tapering to tip with full, flowing fur.

Boning:
Substantial.

Musculature:
Substantial, powerful.


COAT:
Length:
Uneven; shorter on shoulders, gradually lengthening down the back and sides. Long, full, shaggy belly fur and britches. Tail fur long, full, flowing. Frontal ruff becomes more developed with age.

Texture:
All weather coat. A slight undercoat gives the coat body but coat still falls smoothly. Not cottony.

Color:
Particolors must have some white on all four feet.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Maine Coon is America's native longhaired cat. The breed, with its essentially amiable disposition, developed through a natural selection process where only the fittest survived. It should always be remembered that the Maine Coon developed basically as a "working cat" able to fend for itself in rough, woody terrain and under extreme climatic conditions. The Maine Coon is a large breed with big ears, broad chest, substantial boning, a long, hard muscled, rectangular body and a long flowing tail. Good muscle tone and density give the cat the appearance of power.

ALLOWANCES:
Standard favors the male. Allowance MUST be made for a significant size difference between the male and the female. Type should not be sacrificed for size. Breed is slow to mature. Allow for tighter earset in kittens and wider earset in mature adults

PENALIZE:
Eyes: Slanted, almond-shaped. Flat tops on openings.
Ears: Very close, set straight up. Narrow bases. Wide set, flared.
Chin: Weak or receding, narrow, lack of depth.
Muzzle: Prominent whisker pads.
Profile: Straight. Roman nose. Pronounced bump.
Torso: Narrow.
Tail: Short tail.
Coat: Lack of slight undercoat or belly shag. Overall even coat.
Color: Obvious lockets.

Scale of points TICA (additional 100 points):

HEAD                                       40 points
Shape                                       8
Eyes                                         5
Ears                                          10
Muzzle and Chin                       10
Profile                                       7

BODY                                       35 points
Torso                                        10
Legs and Feet                           3
Tail                                            5
Boning                                       7
Musculature                              10

COAT/COLOR/PATTERN     25 points
Length                                      10
Texture                                     5
Color                                         5
Pattern                                      5

Scale of points FIFE (additional 100 points):

Head: 40 points
(general shape, shape of nose, cheeks and muzzle, jaw and teeth, forehead, chin: 25 points)
(shape and placement of ears: 10 points)
(shape and placement of eyes: 5 points)

Body: 35 points
(shape, size, bone structure, legs, shape of paws: 25 points)
(shape and length of tail: 10 points)

Coat: 20 points
(quality and texture: 10 points)
(length: 5 points)
(color / pattern: 5 points)

Condition: 5 points