MAINE COON

 

Standard for Maine Coon according FIFe

Generally
Appearance
 The breed of the Maine Coon is large framed with a square outline of the head, large ears, broad chest, solid bone structure, a long, hard musculed, rectangular body and a lonng flowing tail. Good muscle tone and density give the cat the appearance of power and robustness.
Size
 Large
Head
Shape
 Medium in size; square ouline.
Profile with a gentle concave slope.
Forehead
 Gently curved
Cheeks
 Cheekbones high and prominent
Face/Nose/Muzzle
 Face and nose of medium lenght with a square ouline of the muzzle.
Distinct transition can be felt between muzzle and cheekbones.
Chin
 Firm, in vertical alignment with nose and upperlip!
Ears
Shape
 Large, wide at the base. Moderatly pointed.
Lynx-tufts are desirable. Tufts of hair in the ears extend beyond outer edges of ears.
Placement
 Set high on head with a very slight outward tilt.
Ears should be placed one ear's width apart. The width extends slightly in older cats.
Lower base set just slightly further back than upper base.
Eyes
Shape
 Large and widely set.
Slightly oval, but not almond shaped, appear round when wide open.
Set slightly slanted towards the outer base of the ear.
Colour
 Any colour is permitted. There is no relationship between eye- and coat colour.
Clear eye colour is desirable.
Neck
   Males have a very strong muscled neck.
Body
Structur
 The body should be long, substantial bone structure.
Hard muscled, powerful, broad chested.
Large framed, all parts of the body in proportion to create a rectangular appearance.
Legs
   Substantial, medium lenght to form a rectangle with the body.
Paws
 Large, round and well tufted between the toes.
Tail
   At least as long as the body from shoulderblade to base of tail.
Wide at the base tapering to the tip; with full, flowing hair.
The hair on the tail is long and always remains flowing.
Coat
Structur
 All wheater coat. Dense.
Short on head, shoulders and legs, becoming gradually longer down the back and sides, width long, full shaggy baggy trousers on the hind legs and belly fur. A frill is expected.
Texture silky. Coat has distinct body, falling smoothly.
The undercoat is soft and fine, covered by the coarse smooth outercoat.
Colour
 All colour varietes are permitted, including all colour varietes with white; except pointed patterns and chocolate and lilac, cinnamon and fawn.
Any amount of white is allowed, i.e. a white blaze, white locket, white chest, white on the belly, white on the paws, etc.
Condition
   The Maine Coon should always be in good balance, condition and proportion.
Remarks
  
  • Type must always take preference over colour.
  • Very slow maturing of the breed should be taken into account.
  • Mature males may have larger and broader heads than females.
  • Females are proportionally smaller than males. Allowance must be made for this significant difference in size.
  • Lenght of coat and density of undercoat vary with the seasons.

Faults
General
  • Unbalanced proportions.
  • Overall small cat.
 
Head
  • Round head.
  • Straight or convex profile..
 
Nose
 nose break
 
Muzzle
  • Pronounced whisker pads.
  • Round or pointed muzzle.
 
Chin
 Undershot chin
 
Ears
 Wide set, flared ears.
 
Eyes
 Slanted, almond shaped eyes.
 
Body
  • Fine, light bone structure.
  • Short cobby body.
 
Legs
 Long stilty legs
 
Tail
 Short tail.
 
Coat
  • Lack of belly shag.
  • Coat of overall even lenght.
  • Lack of any undercoat.


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SOURCE
  
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