Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Maine Coon is one of the oldest breeds in North America and has a rich history. Its origin is associated with cats brought by sailors and settlers to the port cities of New England during the 17th–18th centuries. Due to the harsh climate of the state of Maine, the animals adapted to the cold winters, developing a dense coat and a strong physique. The breed was named after its place of origin—the state of Maine—and local legends linking it to the raccoon. By the 19th century, Maine Coons had become favorites of farmers and hunters for their excellent hunting abilities. The first exhibition references to the breed date back to the 1860s–1870s, and in the 20th century, the Maine Coon became recognized as a national treasure of the United States and one of the most popular cat breeds in the world.
General Appearance
The Maine Coon is a large, powerful cat with harmonious proportions and an impressive appearance. It has a massive body, an elongated shape, and well-developed muscles. The animal conveys an impression of strength, stability, and natural grace. The facial expression is open and intelligent, with bright eyes and large, tufted ears. The body is elongated, the chest broad, the limbs medium in length and strong. The tail is long, thickly furred, and serves as a continuation of the body. The coat is dense, with a thick undercoat, longer on the ruff, sides, and tail. Overall, the cat appears well-balanced, powerful, and adapted to life in harsh climates, while maintaining elegance of movement and breed refinement.
Important Proportions
The proportions of the Maine Coon combine massiveness with grace. The body length significantly exceeds the height at the withers, creating an elongated but balanced impression. The chest is broad and deep, providing strength and endurance. The limbs correspond to the body, giving stability and harmony. The head is proportional to the body, slightly elongated, with a square muzzle and a well-developed chin. The ears are large, set high and wide, enhancing the breed expression. The tail equals the body length or is slightly shorter, always thick and fluffy, balancing the silhouette. The breed’s proportions should emphasize strength, power, and elegance without signs of coarseness or imbalance.
Temperament and Character
The Maine Coon combines independence with loyalty, remaining friendly and sociable. These cats are known for their gentle disposition and kind attitude toward humans, including children. Despite their impressive size, they are affectionate and emotionally balanced. Maine Coons easily adapt to new environments while maintaining their hunting instincts; they are curious and active. They are communicative, often producing soft trilling sounds. They are not prone to aggression, preferring partnership-like interaction with humans, and they coexist well with other animals. Their personality combines dignity and playfulness, making them excellent companions and beloved family pets.
Head
The Maine Coon’s head is large, slightly elongated, with a distinct rectangular outline. The skull is of medium width, smoothly rounded, with a moderately convex forehead. The cheekbones are high, wide-set, and well developed, forming a solid foundation for the square muzzle. The muzzle is massive and square, with a strong chin and broad cheeks. The profile is straight, with a smooth transition from forehead to nose, without a pronounced stop. The nose is broad, straight, and of medium length, giving the profile harmony. The chin is strong, aligned with the nose and upper lip, ensuring correct bite. The overall head impression conveys strength, openness, and intelligence, emphasizing the breed’s natural majesty.
Facial Features
The facial part of the head has a characteristic square muzzle, which is a key breed feature. The chin is strong and massive, vertically aligned with the nose and lips, forming a straight profile line. The cheeks are full and well developed, enhancing the squareness and strength of the muzzle. The nose is broad, straight, with clearly defined leather, of medium length, without a bump or break. Whiskers are long and thick, extending to the sides, giving the face expressiveness. The lips are firm, closing tightly to ensure a correct bite. The face should be symmetrical and massive, emphasizing strength and breed type, creating an open, intelligent, and slightly stern expression.
Eyes
The eyes are large, oval, wide-set, and slightly slanted, giving the breed its distinctive look. The eye set is open, with an intelligent, attentive, and gentle expression, slightly alert. Eye color ranges from yellow to green, including all intermediate shades such as deep amber. The main criteria are intensity, purity, and harmony with coat color. The eye rims are clearly outlined, emphasizing depth and brightness. The eyes must not be round or narrow; the correct oval shape creates a balanced breed expression. The gaze should convey nobility, intelligence, natural strength, and calmness, representing an important element of the breed’s type.
Ears
The ears of the Maine Coon are very large, wide at the base, set high and open, which enhances the wild, natural look. The base is wide, the tips pointed, adorned with characteristic lynx-like tufts that highlight the breed’s appearance. The inner ear surface is covered with thick fur tufts that protect against cold. The height of the ear is approximately equal to the width of its base. The ear set is slightly outward, creating the correct breed expression. The ears should appear vertical, not too widely set, and harmonize with the head shape. They enhance the expressiveness and majestic look of the breed and are one of its key features.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, yet massive, with well-developed muscles, smoothly connecting the head with the body. In males, it appears broader and stronger, emphasizing sexual dimorphism; in females, it is more refined but remains strong. The neck must be powerful and in harmony with the overall body mass. It is abundantly covered with fur, especially noticeable in winter when a dense ruff develops. This ruff emphasizes the breed’s majesty and gives the neck a visually powerful, regal appearance. The neck plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the body, supporting the head and connecting it to the massive torso without disturbing harmony.
Body
The body is elongated, massive, with a broad chest and powerful musculature. The format is rectangular, which is a defining breed feature. The back is straight and strong, the croup wide and well developed. The abdomen is moderately tucked and should not sag. The chest is deep and rounded, giving the impression of strength and endurance. The body must convey power and harmony without coarseness or heaviness. The musculature is well developed, especially in males, while females retain elegance. Overall, the body reflects the breed’s working origins—strength, stability, and elegance combined.
Tail
The tail is long, equal to or slightly shorter than the body. It is flexible, very fluffy, and completely covered with long, thick fur that protects against cold. The tip tapers smoothly without kinks or deformities. At rest, the tail is carried straight, and during movement, it serves as a natural balancer, providing stability. The tail must harmonize with the body and complete the correct silhouette. Its density and plume-like texture emphasize the breed type and contribute to the cat’s majestic appearance.
Forelimbs
The forelegs are of medium length, massive, with a strong bone structure and well-developed muscles. The shoulders are powerful and broad, providing a stable base for the body. The paws are large, round, with pronounced tufts of fur between the toes, which help the cat move through snow or uneven surfaces. When in motion, the limbs are straight and steady, the gait confident and free. The proportions of the forelimbs must correspond to the body, maintaining harmony. They are the foundation of correct posture and stable movement.
Hind Limbs
The hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, creating the characteristic rise of the body line toward the croup. The thighs are strong and muscular, the lower legs powerful, providing a strong push during movement and jumping. The paws are large, round, with thick fur tufts between the toes, protecting against cold. The movement of the hind legs should be free, powerful, and elastic, harmoniously coordinated with the front legs. Proper limb structure ensures stability and strength, emphasizing the breed’s natural hunting abilities.
Gait and Movement
The gait of the Maine Coon is confident, smooth, and elastic, with a wide range of motion. The cat moves freely, maintaining balance and coordination. The stride is long and steady, demonstrating strength and precision. When running or jumping, the movements are powerful, with a strong push from the hind legs. The tail acts as a natural balancer, ensuring stability and lightness of movement. The gait should reflect harmony between power and elegance—confident but never heavy.
Coat
The coat is semi-long, dense, with a double structure. The undercoat is soft and thick, providing protection from cold and moisture. The guard hairs are longer and coarser, forming a protective, water-repellent layer. The fur is longer on the chest and neck, forming a ruff, and on the belly and hind legs, forming breeches. The tail is fully covered with long fur, resembling a plume. The coat texture is adapted to harsh climates, providing reliable protection.
Accepted Colors
All traditional colors are allowed except chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, and colorpoint. The most common are tabby varieties—classic, mackerel, and spotted. Solid colors such as black, white, blue, and red are also popular. Smoke, silver, and tortoiseshell patterns are permitted. White markings of any kind are acceptable—medallions, socks, chest, and belly spots. Eye color is independent of coat color but must be bright, saturated, and harmonious.
Size
The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cat breeds, exhibiting clear sexual dimorphism. Males are noticeably larger, weighing between 7–10 kg, sometimes reaching 12 kg while maintaining balance. Body length, including the tail, can exceed 110–120 cm, highlighting the breed’s uniqueness. Females are lighter, weighing 4.5–6.5 kg, with a more refined but still rectangular body and strong muscles. Adult height ranges from 25 to 40 cm. The breed matures slowly, reaching full development at 3–4 years. Size must never compromise health or structural harmony.
Faults
Faults include any deviations from the standard that do not completely distort the breed type but reduce its value. These include insufficiently rectangular body shape, narrow chest, weak musculature, or underdeveloped bones. A tail that is too short, thin, or lacking plume; a head without a square muzzle, too round or elongated, with narrow cheekbones; a weak or receding chin misaligned with nose and lips; small, low-set ears without tufts; eyes too small, round, or dull; sparse coat or weak undercoat; and nonstandard colors. Any imbalance of proportions or loss of overall harmony lowers the evaluation.
Disqualification
Disqualifying traits include serious deviations from the standard that make exhibition or breeding impossible. These include aggressive or excessively fearful behavior; genetic abnormalities such as cranial deformities, incorrect bite, or missing teeth beyond the limit; crossed eyes, deafness, or congenital defects of vision or hearing; tail deformities, kinks, or shortening; limb deformities such as X- or O-shaped legs, severe joint anomalies; and disallowed colors—chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, and colorpoint. Evidence of surgical or cosmetic alteration, absence of breed type, severe imbalance of the body, emaciation, or obesity also lead to disqualification.
Important Notes
When evaluating the breed, it is necessary to consider the Maine Coon’s slow growth and late maturity. Full development occurs only by 3–4 years of age, so younger cats may appear less massive, which should not be penalized. Seasonal coat changes are typical: it becomes shorter and lighter in summer and thicker in winter, with a full ruff and breeches. White markings of any amount are acceptable. The ICCF standard emphasizes harmony of proportions and the preservation of the breed’s natural appearance. Breeders should avoid excessive size breeding that may negatively affect health. Maintaining strong immunity, joint soundness, and cardiovascular health is essential to preserve the breed’s natural vigor and beauty.
Conclusion
The Maine Coon is a unique breed that combines grandeur, strength, and friendliness. This cat is a national pride of the United States and one of the most admired breeds in the world, recognized by the ICCF. The exterior is characterized by a massive rectangular body, a dense coat, and a long, fluffy tail, while the temperament is gentle, balanced, and loyal. Only cats with official ICCF documents confirming their origin and conformity to the standard are eligible for exhibitions and breeding. Admission requires an ICCF litter card or pedigree and the absence of disqualifying traits. Breeding programs are conducted under strict ICCF control to preserve purity and health. Thus, ICCF ensures high standards of quality and harmony, guaranteeing that every Maine Coon is not only majestic in appearance but also fully meets the standard in both exterior and character.
