Maine Coon Cat Breed Standard

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. Quality should never be sacrificed for size. 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 width apart at the base; not flared.

EYES: large, expressive, wide set with an opened oval shape. 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 are 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, or the Himalayan pattern.

MAINE COON CAT COLORS

EYE COLOR: eye color can be shades of green, gold, green-gold or copper. White cats and all cats with white may have blue or odd eyes.

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.

TICKED TABBY PATTERN: shows pronounced ticking on body and when viewed from above will show darkening at the dorsal crest but will otherwise be free from pattern or any noticeable spots, stripes or blotches. Body hairs will be ticked with various shades of marking color and ground color. The cat will show full tabby markings on face and legs and the lighter underside may also show tabby markings.

Brown Tabby Color Class

BROWN TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): 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.

Brown Patched Tabby Color Class

BROWN PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black with patches of red. Nose leather and paw pads: brown, black or brick red desirable.

Silver Tabby Color Class

SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): ground color pale, clear silver. Markings dense black. White trim around lip and chin allowed. Nose leather: brick red desirable. Paw pads: black desirable.

Silver Patched Tabby Color Class

SILVER PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): ground color pale, clear silver. Markings dense black with patches of red and/or cream. White trim around lip and chin allowed. Nose leather: brick red desirable. Paw pads: black and/or pink desirable.

Red Tabby Color Class

RED TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): ground color red. Markings deep, rich red. White trim around lip and chin allowed. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red desirable.

All Other Tabby Colors Class

BLUE-SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): 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.

BLUE-SILVER PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): ground color pale, clear silver. Markings a deep blue with patches of cream. Undercoat white. White trim around lip and chin allowed. Nose leather: old rose desirable. Paw pads: rose and/or pink desirable.

BLUE TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): 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.

BLUE PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): ground color pale bluish Ivory. Markings a very deep blue with patches of cream. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole. White trim around lip and chin allowed. Nose leather: old rose desirable. Paw pads: rose and/or pink desirable.

CREAM TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): 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.

CREAM SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): ground color off-white. Markings cream. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: pink desirable.

CAMEO TABBY (classic, mackerel, ticked): 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 (including Vans)

BROWN TABBY & WHITE (classic, mackerel, ticked): color as defined for brown tabby with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

Brown Patched Tabby & White Color Class (including Vans)

BROWN PATCHED TABBY & WHITE (classic, mackerel, ticked): ground color coppery brown. Markings dense black but with distribution of white markings as described in brown 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.

Silver Tabby & White Color Class (including Vans)

SILVER TABBY & WHITE (classic, mackerel, ticked): color is defined for the silver tabby with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four feet.

Silver Patched Tabby & White Color Class (including Vans)

SILVER PATCHED TABBY & WHITE (classic, mackerel, ticked): color as described for silver patched tabby (torbie) with or without white on face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four feet.

Red Tabby & White Color Class (including Vans)

RED TABBY & WHITE (classic, mackerel, ticked): color as defined for the red tabby with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four feet.

All Other Tabby & White Colors Color Class (including Vans)

TABBY & WHITE (classic, mackerel, ticked): color as defined for tabby with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws. Colors accepted are blue, blue-silver, cream, cream-silver, cameo.

PATCHED TABBY & WHITE (classic, mackerel, ticked): color as described for patched tabby (torbie) with or without white on face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws. Colors accepted are blue patched or blue-silver patched.

Bi-Color Color Class (including Vans)

BLACK & WHITE: a combination of black and white, with or without white on face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

BLUE & WHITE: a combination of blue and white, with or without white on face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

RED & WHITE: a combination of red and white, with or without white on face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

CREAM & WHITE: a combination of cream and white, with or without white on face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

Parti-Color Color Class

TORTOISESHELL: black with patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both the body and the extremities. Presence of several shades of red acceptable.

BLUE-CREAM: blue with patches of cream or softly intermingled areas of cream on both the body and the extremities.

Parti-Color & White Color Class

CALICO (including vans): white with unbrindled patches of black and red. White predominant on underparts.

DILUTE CALICO (including vans): white with unbrindled patches of blue and cream. White predominant on underparts.

TORTOISESHELL & WHITE: color as defined for tortoiseshell with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

BLUE-CREAM & WHITE: color as defined for blue-cream with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

Shaded & Smoke Color 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.

CHINCHILLA BLUE SILVER: undercoat white. Coat on back, flanks, head, and tail sufficiently tipped with blue 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 blue. Nose leather and paw pads: rose desirable.

SHADED BLUE SILVER: undercoat white with a mantle of blue 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 blue chinchilla. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with blue. Nose leather and paw pads: rose desirable.

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. Face and legs may be a deeper shading than the rest of the body. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) to be white. The general effect to be much redder than the shell cameo. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose.

SHELL CREAM (cream chinchilla): undercoat white, the coat on the back, flanks, head and tail to be lightly tipped with cream. Face and legs may be very slightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) to be white. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose.

SHADED CREAM: undercoat white with a mantle of cream shading down the sides, face and tail, face and legs may be a deeper shading than the rest of the body. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) to be white. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose.

SHELL TORTOISESHELL: undercoat white. The coat on the back, flanks and tail to be lightly tipped with black and shades of red. Face and legs may be lightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) may be white to very lightly tipped with shading. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose to black, may also be patched.

SHADED TORTOISESHELL: undercoat white. Mantle of black and red shading down the sides, face and tail. Face and legs may be a deeper shading than the rest of the body. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) may be white to lightly tipped. The general effect is to be much darker than the shell tortoiseshell. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose to black, may also be patched.

SHELL BLUE-CREAM: undercoat white. The coat on the back, flanks and tail to be lightly tipped with blue and shades of cream. Face and legs may be lightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) may be white to very lightly tipped with shading. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose to blue, may also be patched.

SHADED BLUE-CREAM: undercoat white. Mantle of blue and cream shading down the sides, face and tail. Face and legs may be a deeper shading than the rest of the body. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) may be white to lightly tipped. The general effect is to be much darker than the shell blue-cream. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose to blue, may also be patched.

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.

CREAM SMOKE: undercoat white, deeply tipped with cream. Cat in respose appears cream. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Points and mask cream 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: pink desirable.

TORTIE SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with black with patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both the body and the extremities. The presence of several shades of red is acceptable. 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.

BLUE-CREAM SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with blue, with clearly defined patches of cream as in the pattern of the bluecream. 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.

Shaded/Smoke & White Color Class (including Vans)
Note: any tortie & white colors or blue-cream & white colors will not have the van pattern

CHINCHILLA SILVER & WHITE: color as defined for chinchilla silver with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHADED SILVER & WHITE: color as defined for shaded silver with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

CHINCHILLA BLUE SILVER & WHITE: color as defined for chinchilla blue silver with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHADED BLUE SILVER & WHITE: color as defined for shaded blue silver with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHELL CAMEO (red chinchilla) & WHITE: color as defined for shell cameo with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHADED CAMEO (red shaded) & WHITE: color as defined for shaded cameo with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHELL CREAM (cream chinchilla) & WHITE: color as defined for shell cream with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHADED CREAM & WHITE: color as defined for shaded cream with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHELL TORTOISESHELL & WHITE: color as defined for shell tortoiseshell with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHADED TORTOISESHELL & WHITE: color as defined for shaded tortoiseshell with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHELL CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of black and shades of red. The coat on the back, flanks and tail to be lightly tipped with black and shades of red. Face and legs may be lightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) may be white to very lightly tipped with shading. White predominate on the underparts of the cat.

SHADED CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of black and shades of red. Mantle of black and red shading down the sides, face and tail. Face and legs may be a deeper shading than the rest of the body. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) may be white to lightly tipped. The general effect is to be much darker than the shell calico. White predominate on the underparts of the cat.

SHELL BLUE-CREAM & WHITE: color as defined for shell blue-cream with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHADED BLUE-CREAM & WHITE: color as defined for shaded blue-cream with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

SHELL DILUTE CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of blue and shades of cream. The coat on the back, flanks and tail to be lightly tipped with blue and shades of cream. Face and legs may be lightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) may be white to very lightly tipped with shading. White predominate on the underparts of the cat.

SHADED DILUTE CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of blue and shades of cream. Mantle of blue and cream shading down the sides, face and tail. Face and legs may be a deeper shading than the rest of the body. Chin, ear furnishings, stomach and chest (ruff) may be white to lightly tipped. The general effect is to be much darker than the shell dilute calico. White predominate on the underparts of the cat.

BLACK SMOKE & WHITE: color as defined for black smoke with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

BLUE SMOKE & WHITE: color as defined for blue smoke with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

CAMEO SMOKE (red smoke) & WHITE: color as defined for cameo smoke with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

CREAM SMOKE & WHITE: color as defined for cream smoke with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

TORTIE SMOKE & WHITE: color as defined for tortie smoke with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

BLUE-CREAM SMOKE & WHITE: color as defined for blue cream smoke with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly, and all four paws.

CALICO SMOKE: white with unbrindled patches of black and shades of red. Black and red patches to have a white undercoat. White predominate on the underparts of the cat.

DILUTE CALICO SMOKE: white with unbrindled patches of blue and shades of cream. Blue and cream patches to have a white undercoat. White predominate on the underparts of the cat.

Other Maine Coon Cat Color Class

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; or these combinations with white. Cats listed as AOV are to be registered and shown under AOV color class.