Extreme Maine Coon muzzle versus CFA International Best of Breed muzzle

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On the left is GC, BWI, DW NEKOLAND XOXO XANDER BRIGHTMAN from the 2019-20 cat show season: International: Best of Breed. A brown tabby & white, male Maine Coon Cat. A top-quality MC. On the right is a cat from Pinterest which has probably be bred in Eastern Europe or Russia. I have mentioned this before as you might know.

Extreme Maine Coon muzzle versus CFA International Best of Breed muzzle
Extreme Maine Coon muzzle versus CFA International Best of Breed muzzle. Image on left: CFA. On right: Robert Sijka.

The difference is reflected in the different approach to selective breeding in the US and in Eastern Europe. Or perhaps this 'extreme' Maine Coon was bred in the US which the objective of creating a European style Maine Coon.

And the difference is very clear. The muzzle should not be as unnatural as we see on the right. Naturalness must count for a lot in breeding. The Cat Fanciers' Association make this clear in their breed standard:

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 muzzle length of the ginger tabby is too long and does not 'present a pleasant, balanced appearance'. The appearance is no doubt interesting and to some attractive. It makes the cat 'outstanding' in appearance, but the appearance is not balanced.

I am against manipulating a domestic cat's natural facial anatomy to the point where it can affect health. This long, square muzzle does not affect the cat's health but the principle of adjusting anatomy in this way encourages extreme selective breeding in general to chase paying customers and a celebrity status for the breeder or owner.

RELATED: Maine Coon breeders should not drift into extreme breeding.

The classic example of detrimental health effect caused by extreme breeding is, I am sure you are aware, the flat-faced or peke faced Persian with breathing problems and teat duct overflow. 

The same problems exist in the dog fancy as well as you know with the French Bulldog as one example.

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