Origin Theories & History Of Maine Majesty

The Maine Coon (MC) is the world’s biggest domestic cat breed. Its popularity has also risen recently. Considered the ‘State Cat of Maine’, MC is one of the cat breeds with the most number of folklore and origin theories. It has even been declared extinct at one point.

Before we delve into the history of MC, let’s discuss the origin theories of this majestic cat breed.

Origin Theories of Big Maine Cat

There are many theories on how this breed arrived in Maine and we have listed below the most common and popular ones.

Theory#1: Coon’s Cats

Coon’s Cats were said to have originated from the mating of local Maine Cats with that of foreign cats brought by a British sea captain named Charles Coon. He was said to be moving from Europe to New England and had stopped at Maine in the 1700’s. The resulting cats were called ‘Coon’s Cats’. That was said to be the history of how MC came to be and how it got its name.

Theory#2: Marie Antoinette’s Cats

Marie Antoinette was the last queen of France before the French Revolution. Eight months after her husband’s execution, she was also tried and convicted for treason. Her supporters helped plan her escape by putting her precious possessions including her 6 Turkish Angora Cats aboard a ship called Salley. Its captain was Captain Samuel Clough. However, the ship sailed without her. Marie Antoinette was executed on October 16, 1793.

Even if she failed to make her escape, the ship sailed without her. The ship reached Maine, where the six cats then bred with the short-haired local cats of Maine, and their offspring became what is now known as the Maine Coon.

Theory#3: Raccoon Crossbreeding

Because of the similarities in appearance of the furry Maine Coon to the raccoon, there have been origin theories circulating on the crossbreeding of a raccoon and a short-haired cat. This was where the “Coon” from its name came from.

Raccoons and Cats cannot produce any offspring because they are from a different family and genus. Cats are under the Felidae family, while Raccoons are from the Family Procyonidae, making it impossible for them to develop an embryo together and crossbreed.

Why did such a myth become popular? This is probably because of their similar features such as:

• Facial Markings
• Long, thick, and bushy tails that have similar markings
• Water-resistant fur
• Thick and similar markings on fur
• Black rings on Tail
• Larger size than normal cats
• Love for water (cats normally hate water)

Theory#4: Lynx Crossbreeding

This is one very popular theory. Among all cat breeds, only the MC sports long ear tufts and ear tips that are similar to the Lynx.

This is the reason why many are speculating that MC were crossbreeds of the wild cat lynx and a domestic cat. However, this is also impossible.

Though cats and lynxes are both under the same Family, Felidae, they cannot crossbreed because their genus is different. Cats fall under the Genus, Felis. Lynx have their genus which is also called Lynx. Up to this day, there are no verified reports that a Lynx can crossbreed with a domestic house cat.

Theory#5: Viking’s Norwegian Forest Cats Crossbreeding

Norwegian Forest Cats are known as Viking’s cats. These cats were allegedly transported to Maine and mated with the indigenous cats. As a result, the Maine Coon breed was created. This is a popular hypothesis, and many people embrace it above the other hypotheses because of claims about genetic evidence. This has yet to be substantiated with proper and scientific evidence and news reports.

Explore detailed comparisons between Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons on our site.

History Of The Coonie Breed

Because of their luxurious fur, majestic size, and their regal appearances, MC became popular in Cat Competition and fairs even in the early 1860s.

Below are the highlights of the MC Breed’s history.

Early Show Presence (1860s):

• They were first seen at local fairs in New England in the 1860s. This was 30 years before there was an official cat registry or show. During that period, there was no defined procedure for judging cats.

First Documented Maine Coon Who Won (1861):

• The first known Maine Coon was Captain Jenks, a black and white Maine Coon owned by Mrs. Pierce. In 1861, he was victorious.

Maine Coon Acceptance As Definite Breed (1870):

• In the 1870s, the Maine Coon was designated as a distinct breed, implying some type of systematic grading.
• Maine Coons, because of their unique beauty, were exhibited in major cat events, including the National Cat Show in 1878.

First Maine Coon Winner, Cosey (1895)

• The very 1st North American Feline exhibition was held at the Madison Square Garden (New York City) on May 8, 1895. Cosey, a brown tabby female Maine Coon, was entered at the show. Mrs. Fred Brown’s Cosey got the silver medal with ribbon/collar, as well as the Best Cat in the Show.
• A total of 176 cats were entered at the 1895 Madison Square Garden Show.

Decline And Persian Influence (1900)

• Despite its initial popularity, the Maine Coon’s popularity waned once the Persian cat was introduced. Persian cats were among the earliest pedigreed breeds to come in America, with the first purebred Persians arriving about 1875.
• The Persian Cat’s unusual appearance—flat features and thick, long fur—sets it apart from other popular cat breeds. Persian cats are known to be rather peaceful and well-mannered. This makes them ideal companions for those who enjoy a relaxed lifestyle. They are calm and kind. Because of their kind temperament, they find it simple to be loving. They appreciate being caressed and cuddled, as well as spending time with their owners.
• The first British cat show, held in 1871, included a variety of cat varieties, including the Persian. In the United States, the Persian cat had eclipsed the Maine Coon in popularity by 1900.

Maine Coon’s “Extinction” (1959):

• The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) proclaimed the Maine Coon extinct in 1959, although this was incorrect.
• The last time a Maine Coon won a national feline exhibition was in 1911, in a prestigious Cat show in Portland. After that, the breed was seldom seen. The decline was so severe that the breed was proclaimed extinct in the 1950s, however, this was seen to be overdone and premature at the time.

Whittemore Cattery And Central Maine Coon Cat Club (1953-1963)

• Mrs. Ethelyn Whittemore was instrumental in conserving the Maine Coon breed during the mid-twentieth century. She kept handwritten notes of her cats, which helped the breed survive during a time when it was mostly unknown.
• Alta Smith, Ethylin Whittemore, and Ruby Dyer founded the Central Maine Cat Club (CMCC) in the early 1950s to enhance the popularity of Maine Coons. The organization staged exhibits, implemented a kitten registration system, and developed a judging standard for Maine Coons. Mrs. Whittemore’s cats were notable winners in these events.
• The Central Maine Coon Cat Club’s efforts aided the breed’s popularity. Despite disbanding in 1963, the club left a legacy of records and publicity that sparked renewed interest in the Maine Coon.

Established As An Official Breed (1976)

• The CFA rejected provisional breed recognition to the Maine Coon three times, prompting the creation of the popular “Maine Coon Cat Club” in 1973. The breed was granted provisional status by the CFA on 1st of May, 1975, and championship status on 1st of May, 1976. After being granted champ status, all purebred MCs were officially allowed to compete in shows. The Maine Coon gained popularity during the next several decades, with championship triumphs and a surge in national rankings.

Maine Coon as the Best Cat in the CFA (1976)

• The Maine Coon was originally inducted into CFA in 1976, and its first Breed Winner was a brown tabby female named Katy. The next year, the first male Breed Winner was a copper-eyed white called Silent Stranger.

Declaration As Official State Cat (1985)

• The U.S. state, Maine, declared the breed to be the official cat of the state of Maine on the 10th of April, 1985.

British Maine Coon (1980’s)

• The Maine Coon cat breed originally arrived in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s. Due to British quarantine laws, American breeders postponed transporting Maine Coon cats to Britain because they were frightened their prized cats would not be treated correctly.

Modern Maine Coon’s Popularity

• The International Cat Association (TICA) has named the Maine Coon the most in-demand and popular cat breed for 2023, while The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) has named it the second most popular breed in the world for 2022 (announced on March 24, 2023).

In conclusion

The Maine Coon, recognized as the world’s largest domestic cat breed, has a history woven with captivating tales, folklore, and scientific speculation. Origin theories, from Coon’s Cats to Viking’s Norwegian Forest Cats, add intrigue, with the latter awaiting further scientific validation. Despite facing challenges, including a momentary declaration of extinction in 1959, the Maine Coon has triumphed, becoming the official state cat of Maine in 1985.

The breed’s journey, marked by early show appearances in the 1860s and official recognition in 1976, reveals resilience and resurgence. Individuals like Mrs. Ethelyn Whittemore and the Central Maine Coon Cat Club played crucial roles in preserving the breed during pivotal moments. Today, the Maine Coon stands as a symbol of popularity, securing top positions in TICA’s 2023 rankings and CFA’s 2022 global breed popularity.

Looking forward, the Maine Coon’s enduring charm, size, and friendly disposition position it as a timeless favorite among cat enthusiasts. Its presence in homes worldwide is set to endure, with the breed continuing to capture hearts and dominate the domestic cat scene for years to come.