Америка – это континент превосходных степеней. Такой превосходной степенью характеризуются и национальные кошки Соединённых Штатов: большие, сильные, длинношерстные мэйн-куны. У этих кошек есть много потенциальных предков в далёких краях. Вероятно, среди предков мэйн-куна были норвежские лесные кошки, доставленные в Северную Америку викингами. Турецкая ангора в XVIII – XIX столетиях также прибыла к этим берегам и спаривалась затем с местными домашними кошками – потомками норвежских лесных кошек.
America is a continent of excellent degrees. National cats of the United States are characterized by such an excellent degree. They are large, strong, longhair Maine Coons. These cats have many potential ancestors in far ages. Probably, Norwegian Forest Cats brought to Northern America by Vikings were among ancestors of Maine Coons. In XVIII – XIX centuries, Turkish Angora has arrived to these coasts and was then mated with the local home cats – descendants of the Norwegian Forest cats.

The continent already breeds Maine Coons for about 100 years. "First"
Maine Coon was a male who answered the name of Captain Jenks of the Horse
Marines. He was exhibited at shows in Boston and
New York in
1861 and has put a beginning of early popularity of the breed. On the first
North American show in Madison
Square Garden
the winner was the female Maine Coon cat Cosie. Later, in 1897, New York was in delight
from brown tabby male King Max. But on a boundary of ХХ century, Maine Coons were outshown by more fluffy
Persians. Maine Coon as the breed managed to survive only because the farmers
liked its magnificent hunting qualities. The interest to the breed revived in
1950th, and by 2000 Maine Coon was second popular longhair breed in CFA.

Recently, this strong quiet cat has become very popular. Maine Coons look most effectively in winter, when their heavy, brilliant coat becomes richer. Average weight of the adult females is 5 – 7 kg, males – 7 – 10 kg. Maine Coons are developing slowly and reach full development by 3 – 4 years old. From other cats Maine Coons are distinguished by characteristic purr sound, with which they quite often welcome their familiar people and cats. Though Maine Coons love a human community, they cannot be named as dependent animals: they also have a good time in loneliness, and according to some owners, can even independently engage in swimming. The females are more proud, than males, who sometimes would like to play the fool. These good-natured giants have higher intelligence in comparison to other breeds of the cats and are perfectly trained. Maine Coons are good in games, but they are not like children. These huge cats love active games up to the old age. Maine Coons get along very well in one house with a dog and are not afraid of waters.