Are Maine Coons Popular? 2026 CFA & UK Rankings
Maine Coons are among the most popular pedigree cat breeds, but exactly how popular they are depends on which country and registration organization you examine.
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) ranked Maine Coons first in its 2026 popularity rankings, marking their second consecutive year at the top. However, the UK’s latest Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) statistics tell a slightly different story. Maine Coons ranked third in 2025, behind British Shorthairs and Ragdolls.
Having owned three Maine Coons over more than 14 years, including Pippin, Mika, and Bali, I understand why the breed attracts so much attention. Their enormous size certainly makes an impression, but their individual personalities and unusual behavior are equally memorable.
Let’s examine the actual popularity statistics, how the breed’s position has changed, and what might explain its widespread appeal.
Quick Answer
Maine Coons are extremely popular. They ranked first in CFA’s 2026 pedigree-cat popularity list for the second consecutive year, followed by Ragdolls and Persians. In the UK, Maine Coons ranked third in the GCCF’s 2025 registration statistics, with 2,324 cats registered, compared with 2,642 in 2024.
These figures demonstrate the breed’s popularity, but they don’t establish that Maine Coons are the most numerous cats worldwide.
Their appeal comes from their impressive size, distinctive appearance, sociable temperament, intelligence, playful personalities, and strong online visibility.
How Popular Are Maine Coons in 2026?
The latest registration statistics provide two particularly useful perspectives.
CFA: Maine Coons Rank First
On April 22, 2026, CFA published its latest list of popular pedigree breeds, based on registrations from the previous calendar year.
The top three breeds were:
| CFA 2026 ranking | Cat breed |
|---|---|
| 1 | Maine Coon |
| 2 | Ragdoll |
| 3 | Persian |
CFA confirmed that this was the Maine Coon’s second consecutive year in first place.
The change is particularly interesting when you look at earlier rankings. In CFA’s 2024 list, based on 2023 registrations, the Ragdoll occupied first place, and the Maine Coon ranked second. The Maine Coon then overtook the Ragdoll in CFA’s 2025 rankings and retained its position in 2026. That provides evidence of a change in the breed’s relative popularity within CFA registrations, rather than simply relying on general claims that Maine Coons are becoming increasingly fashionable.
Importantly, CFA’s rankings represent cats registered through its organization. They should not be interpreted as a census of all cats owned in the United States or internationally.
UK: Maine Coons Rank Third
The UK’s GCCF provides another valuable measure of pedigree-cat popularity. Its published 2025 registration statistics reveal a different ordering:
| UK ranking | Cat breed | 2025 registrations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | British Shorthair | 5,873 |
| 2 | Ragdoll | 3,111 |
| 3 | Maine Coon | 2,324 |
| 4 | Siamese | 860 |
| 5 | Burmese | 805 |
These figures come directly from the GCCF’s published breed-registration statistics. Although Maine Coons don’t occupy first place in the UK figures, their third-place position demonstrates their substantial presence in the British pedigree-cat market.
There’s another interesting detail. UK Maine Coon registrations decreased by 12% between 2024 and 2025.
The figures were:
- 2024: 2,642 Maine Coons registered.
- 2025: 2,324 Maine Coons registered.
- Difference: 318 fewer registrations.
However, this reduction shouldn’t be interpreted in isolation. Across all categories included in the GCCF’s published figures, total registrations decreased by approximately 9% during the same period. The Maine Coon’s decline was therefore part of a wider reduction in GCCF registrations, although its percentage decrease was slightly greater.
These statistics provide a more accurate picture than simply claiming that Maine Coon popularity is increasing everywhere. The breed remains highly represented in the UK, but its 2025 registration numbers declined.
Are Maine Coons the World’s Most Popular Cat Breed?
There isn’t enough evidence to make that claim definitively. CFA’s 2026 figures establish that Maine Coons rank first among the pedigree breeds registered through its organization. The GCCF’s figures establish that Maine Coons rank third among its UK registrations. Neither organization records every cat in existence.
Many domestic cats have no pedigree, while others are registered through different organizations or remain unregistered. There is also no reliable worldwide census identifying every purebred Maine Coon, unregistered Maine Coon, or Maine Coon mix. Consequently, precise claims suggesting that there are 600,000 or one million Maine Coons worldwide cannot be substantiated without a transparent methodology.
The accurate conclusion is that Maine Coons are among the world’s most popular pedigree breeds and currently lead CFA’s published rankings.
Why Are Maine Coons So Popular?
Their popularity appears to result from several characteristics that make them distinctive. However, registration statistics cannot tell us exactly why individual owners choose a particular breed.
The following explanations are based on established breed characteristics and my personal experience rather than a scientific survey of buyers.
1. Their Impressive Size and Appearance
A Maine Coon’s appearance immediately distinguishes it from an ordinary domestic cat. These cats are famous for their substantial bodies, muscular frames, impressive tails, large ears, and shaggy coats. According to The International Cat Association (TICA), mature male Maine Coons commonly weigh approximately 18-22 pounds, while females are generally smaller. Their substantial build and long coats can make them look even bigger.
For prospective owners fascinated by their dimensions, my Maine Coon Size and Growth guide explains realistic weights, lengths, and development stages.
Their distinctive appearance is particularly noticeable in photographs and videos, where their size can be demonstrated by showing them alongside people or familiar household objects. However, unusually large specimens shouldn’t be mistaken for the average Maine Coon.
2. Their Sociable Personalities
Appearance attracts attention, but personality is another important part of the breed’s appeal. The Cat Fanciers’ Association’s breed profile describes Maine Coons as friendly, gentle, and adaptable. They are often called gentle giants because their imposing appearance contrasts with their typically sociable temperament. Many enjoy following their owners, investigating household activities, and remaining close to family members.
However, individual personalities can vary considerably. Some Maine Coons confidently greet visitors, while others are more cautious or prefer interacting with familiar people. Their sociability should therefore be understood as a breed tendency rather than a guarantee.
My Maine Coon personality guide explores these differences, including affection, independence, communication, and individual temperament.
3. Their Intelligence And Unusual Behavior
Maine Coons are also known for being entertaining companions. TICA describes their playful, inquisitive nature and notes that many enjoy interactive activities, including playing fetch. Some follow their owners from room to room, investigate running water, learn routines, or enjoy puzzle feeders. They’re also famous for their distinctive chirps and trills.
These characteristics can make them particularly memorable, especially when people encounter the breed for the first time. However, not every Maine Coon enjoys water, plays fetch, or constantly seeks attention. Their individual behavior remains just as important as their breed characteristics.
For a more comprehensive explanation of their appeal, read my 15 Reasons to Get a Maine Coon article.
Have Maine Coons Always Been Popular?
Maine Coons have a much longer history than their recent rankings might suggest. Their origins are associated with the American state of Maine, where long-haired domestic cats developed the characteristics associated with the modern breed. They attracted attention at American cat shows during the nineteenth century.
One particularly important event occurred in 1895, when a brown tabby Maine Coon named Cosey won Best Cat at the Madison Square Garden cat show in New York. TICA’s historical account also records this early achievement.
However, Maine Coons didn’t maintain their early prominence continuously. Other long-haired breeds subsequently became fashionable, and Maine Coons became less prominent in the show world. Breeders and enthusiasts eventually helped rebuild interest in the breed.
CFA recognized Maine Coons for championship competition in 1976, while Maine designated the breed its official state cat in 1985.
The Maine Coon’s current position therefore represents a breed with a long history that has regained considerable prominence. Its recent CFA rankings show that its popularity remains substantial more than a century after its early show success.
Has Social Media Increased Maine Coon Popularity?
Social media has undoubtedly made Maine Coons easier to discover, although its exact contribution to breed registrations hasn’t been established.
Their physical characteristics make them particularly noticeable online. Photographs of enormous Maine Coons being held by their owners, videos showing their playful behavior, and recordings of their characteristic vocalizations can attract considerable attention.
Their unusual appearance also makes them recognizable to people who might otherwise know very little about pedigree cats. However, it would be misleading to attribute their popularity entirely to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube. Maine Coons were attracting attention at American cat shows more than a century before social media existed.
Modern platforms have provided another way for owners and breeders to share their cats with an international audience. They haven’t created the breed’s appeal from nothing.
My Experience: Why Maine Coons Attract Such Loyal Owners
Having lived with Maine Coons for more than 14 years, I understand why people develop such enthusiasm for them. Pippin was my first Maine Coon. He was exceptionally sociable, loved meeting people, and enjoyed being involved in family life.
Mika and Bali have shown me how different individual Maine Coons can be. Mika is extremely intelligent, funny, and food-motivated. He enjoys challenging puzzle toys and has an obsession with his water fountain. However, he’s also surprisingly cautious and can be frightened by unfamiliar situations.
Bali was already an adult when we adopted him. Initially, he was friendly but wary. Over time, his confidence grew, and he now willingly greets visitors and cat sitters. He also enjoys playing fetch.
All three share recognizable Maine Coon characteristics, yet their personalities are completely individual. That individuality is one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about owning this breed. However, it’s also why I encourage prospective owners to look beyond photographs and breed descriptions. No two Maine Coons are guaranteed to behave identically.
Is Increasing Maine Coon Popularity a Problem?
Popularity can have disadvantages, particularly when prospective owners become more interested in appearance than responsible breeding.
Maine Coons are frequently advertised using descriptions such as “giant,” “XXL,” “rare color,” or “European type”. These marketing terms don’t automatically establish that a cat is healthier, better bred, or more suitable as a family companion. High demand can also create opportunities for dishonest sellers who use attractive photographs and questionable pedigree claims to attract buyers.
Prospective owners should investigate a breeder’s reputation, registration documentation, health screening, kitten-rearing conditions, and willingness to answer questions.
My Buying a Maine Coon guide explains the purchasing process and the warning signs worth recognizing.
It’s also worth understanding the financial commitment before purchasing. Maine Coons require appropriate nutrition, regular grooming, suitably sized equipment, enrichment, and lifelong veterinary care. Their purchase price is only part of the expense. For current figures, see my guide explaining how much Maine Coon kittens cost.
Popularity shouldn’t be the deciding factor when choosing a pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Maine Coons More Popular Than Ragdolls?
According to CFA’s 2026 registration rankings, yes. Maine Coons occupy first place, followed by Ragdolls. However, the UK’s GCCF statistics place Ragdolls second and Maine Coons third. The answer therefore depends on which registration organization’s figures you’re examining.
If you’re interested in the differences between these breeds, my Maine Coon vs Ragdoll comparison examines their characteristics in greater detail.
Are Maine Coons Becoming Less Popular?
Not necessarily. GCCF recorded a 12% reduction in Maine Coon registrations between 2024 and 2025. However, CFA’s latest rankings show Maine Coons retaining first place for the second consecutive year.
These figures describe different registration populations and measure different things. A decline in one registry doesn’t establish that worldwide interest has decreased.
How Many Maine Coons Exist Worldwide?
There is no reliable worldwide census establishing the exact number. Registration organizations record cats registered through their respective systems, but they don’t account for every Maine Coon living in private homes. Consequently, estimates claiming a precise global population should be treated cautiously unless accompanied by reliable supporting evidence.
Are Maine Coons Rare?
Maine Coons are not generally considered a rare pedigree breed. Their prominent positions in both CFA and GCCF registration statistics demonstrate their substantial presence. However, availability can vary considerably between locations, breeders, and particular bloodlines.
Final Thoughts
Maine Coons are unquestionably popular, although their position varies between registration organizations. They rank first in CFA’s 2026 list for the second consecutive year and third in the UK’s 2025 GCCF statistics. The UK figures also reveal that popularity doesn’t necessarily mean registrations are increasing every year.
Their impressive appearance, sociable nature, intelligence, and entertaining behavior help explain their appeal, although registration statistics cannot establish exactly which characteristics motivate buyers.
After more than 14 years with Pippin, Mika, and Bali, I understand why the breed attracts such enthusiastic owners. Their size makes them immediately recognizable, but their individual personalities are what I’ve enjoyed most.
For anyone considering ownership, popularity is interesting, but suitability matters far more. Understanding the breed’s needs and finding a responsibly bred or appropriately rehomed cat should always take priority.