Why should you buy a Maine Coon cat?

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This is the other side of the coin to the last article about why you shouldn't buy/adopt a Maine Coon (MC). So why should you? Because if your heart is set on adopting a purebred cat, the MC is the best! Simple. Of course, that is a personal viewpoint but that said polls tell us that the MC is in the top three most popular cat breeds 2022. Their popularity has surged over the past 5 years.

Please note that I have made the presumption that you are committed to adopting a purebred cat. If not, adopt a rescue cat and do a good turn for animal welfare. But no criticism if you don't.

America's cat the Maine Coon
America's cat the Maine Coon. Image: MikeB from (cat) Colorado Maine Coons and (flag) Amazon.

America's very own big domestic cat

Why are they the best cat breed? One reason is that if you are an American living in America, you'd be adopting America's very own purebred cat. And the MC is so American in appearance; big and bold. It would be a patriotic act to adopt one 😊.

The MC is considered to be America's cat so there is the motivation to support America. Another reason is size. The MC is the largest cat breed. People like big things. Americans like big things! Well, people like things that stand out one way or another and the MC certainly ticks that box.

Of course, there are many more boxes to tick. I have covered those basics in an infographic which you see by clicking the following link:

Infographic on being sensible before adopting a cat companion

Special cat

'Special' is a word that comes to mind when I think of the MC. This is linked to their size and their strong facial features particularly for the males. A very impressive looking cat.

But you don't really want to buy one of those social media star-like MCs that are huge. Hugeness brings an exaggeration of hip dysplasia, one of several inherited disease associated with the MC (sadly). I wish there were none but that's fanciful thinking as all MCs are inbreed through selective breeding.

Best of the 3 most popular breeds

Most purebred cat adoptions comes down to appearance first and foremost. The MC has probably the best appearance of all the most popular domestic cats. Of course, this is a subjective assessment but in the top 3 most popular cat breeds is the flat-faced Persian. It is a mystery why the cat fancy thinks the punch-face Persian (India's name for the contemporary Persian) is attractive as it is overbred far too much.

The other cat breed in the top 3 is the Bengal. A handsome cat but a wildcat hybrid with some wild cat genes. I think the MC is better. They have a more affable character better suited to modern life and indoor living.

The point I am getting to is that of the top 3 most popular breeds, the MC is the best! Another reason why you should buy (adopt) one.

Character

About character - an important aspect of cat breed selection - I have seen thousands of photos of MCs being held to show off their size. In each photograph the cat is as calm as you like. It doesn't matter how they were picked up. The friendly, unconcerned face of the MC looks at the camera as if to say: "Go on human, mess around and show me off, see if I care."

Terms to describe the MC character from various sources are: hardy, rugged, dignified, reserved, amiable, gentle, elegant, loving, faithful, self-confident, responsive, durable, affectionate, playful, intelligent, resourceful, shy, good-tempered, soft-voiced, active and healthy. Those descriptive words come from Dr. Desmond Morris in his book Cat World. He had an assistant plough through all the descriptions available online or in books and picked them out.

I have mentioned her before; Gloria Stephens, a cat show judge, breeder and author, describes the MC as "people-orientated cats, but they are not over dependent. They do not consistently demand attention, preferring to hang out with their owners."

She adds that they have tiny voices for such big cats and are fairly quiet. But they have an imposing appearance and sometimes have a wild look about them. However, "most are nothing but sweet cats". If they are not sweet it is because something went wrong in the breeding and socialisation. Or something went wrong during their ownership by a less than satisfactory owner.

But you get the point about character. You can read between the lines that this is quite a quiet, affable and friendly companion who is not too needy but will be there for you when you need them. Ideal for most.

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