Maine Coon is a definitely imposing cat, it could be 10 kilos heavy when adult. It has a slow growth, that will be completed at 4 years old, but the sexual maturity comes earlier.
This kind of cat is very affectionate, faithful and quiet. It loves to stay with the owner, also during his walks.
This cat is not intrusive and has an agreable voice: if you imitate his typical "prrrr", you'll receive his answer.
It also loves to play with water and often use its pows to eat and drink.

Curious note: the Maine Coon is one of the few cats that move and use the fifth finger, generally called "spur" because atrophied.

Maine Coon general features

Size: big

Weight:
Male - from 7  to 10 Kilos (in rare cases 14 Kilos)
Female - from 4 to 7 Kilos

Typologies

Short hair: the hair is slightly longer on the sides towards the tail. The tail is long and thick with very long hair. In winter the cat has a very long hair also on the chest.

Semi-long hair: the hair is slightly longer on the abdomen and towards the tail.  The tail is longer and thicker than the rest of the body.

Long hair: the characteristics are the same of the other two types, but with a significant difference in length.
However, the Maine Coon belongs to the Semi-long hair type, and competes in this category.
The hair is slightly greasy and easy to comb. The cat is native of the cold countries and therefore lose hair under high temperatures.

Colors: all the colors but color point, chocolate and lilac.

Average life: from 14 to 16 years.

Morphology

In Europe exist three types of Maine Coon at present.

American type (see Rosita in Female section)
This cat has wedge-shaped and large head (the full growth reaches after 3 years ), large ears with the characteristic tufts of hair on the base and sometimes on the tips.
The muzzle is slightly squared. The oval and spaced eyes may be of various colors.
The body is very muscular and gives the impression of being powerful and strong.
The paws are medium long and the foot are large and round. The Maine Coon is one of the few cats that use the fifth finger, otherwise commonly known as “spur”.
The tail is long and large at the base and thin at the tip. It is generally very thick.

European type
It is a cross between the american type and the extreme type.

Extreme type
It is the result of the hard work made from the breeders to exalt the general charateristics of the Maine Coon.

Maine Coon's temperament and attitudes

The Maine Coon has a good and balanced temperament and it's sociable with the family and the other pets. This cat (often calld “the gentle giant”) loves to play with the babies and needs a costant contact with the members of the house. It is fond of the master and it follows him on a leash.
For theese characteristics the Maine Coon is also used in pet-therapy.

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