Are Maine Coons Like Dogs? A Detailed Comparison Based On Real-Life Experience

Maine Coons are regularly described as “the dogs of the cat world” – a phrase that appears everywhere from breeder websites to social media captions. But what does that comparison actually mean in real life? After more than fourteen years of living with Maine Coons, and sharing my home with Pippin, Bali, and Mika, I’ve learned that the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no.

Maine Coons are not dogs trapped in cat bodies. Instead, they are cats with an unusually canine-leaning temperament, combining feline independence with behaviours more commonly associated with dogs:

• Loyalty
• Routine recognition
• Problem-solving intelligence
• Emotional awareness
• Unmistakable desire to be involved in human life

This article explores those similarities in depth, using side-by-side comparisons and real household experiences to explain why Maine Coons feel so different from typical cats.

What People Really Mean By “Dog-Like“

When people call Maine Coons “dog-like,” they usually mean a mix of traits:

• Following the owners from room to room
• Greeting at the door
• Enjoying interactive play
• Being unusually tolerant and sociable

It doesn’t mean they behave like dogs in every way – they’re still cats, with cat boundaries.

Why Maine Coons Are So Often Compared to Dogs

Most cat breeds evolved to live independently of humans. Maine Coons did not. Historically, they lived alongside people as working cats, controlling vermin on farms, ships, and homesteads. They weren’t expected to disappear for days or survive alone. Instead, they thrived in proximity to humans, learning routines, responding to voices, and integrating into daily life.

That history shaped a breed that is:

• Highly people-orientated
• Curious rather than cautious
• Confident within busy households
• Emotionally responsive

Where many cats tolerate humans, Maine Coons actively seek engagement. This fundamental difference is what creates the “dog-like” comparison.

You can learn more about the mysterious Origins of the Maine Coon cat in my guide.

These are the Maine Coon personality traits you can expect to see when owning this pedigree cat breed.

Greeting Behaviour: Recognising Your Return Home

One of the most striking dog-like traits in Maine Coons is their response when you come home. Dogs are famous for waiting by doors, reacting to keys, or watching through windows. Many Maine Coons show remarkably similar behaviour.

In my own home, this trait appears differently in each cat:

• Pippin would wait directly by the front door. The second I stepped inside, he would begin chirping enthusiastically, following me while vocalising nonstop, as if reporting on his day or checking how mine had gone.
• Bali, who is naturally more cautious, sits on the bench near the door, watching over the driveway. He doesn’t rush forward, but he clearly monitors arrivals and reacts the moment someone appears.
• Mika doesn’t wait at the door at all, yet as soon as I arrive home, he walks toward me with his tail held high, chirping happily. That raised tail is significant in feline behaviour; it signals confidence, recognition, and positive emotional response.

Not every Maine Coon waits physically by the door, but many clearly understand arrival routines and respond emotionally, a trait far more common in dogs than cats.

Communication: Why Maine Coons “Talk” So Much

Dogs bark. Maine Coons converse. Rather than loud, repetitive meows, Maine Coons use a wide range of softer sounds – chirps, trills, murmurs, and questioning noises, often directed specifically at their humans.

Pippin was especially vocal. He didn’t simply meow; he engaged. When spoken to, he responded. When greeted, he answered back. Conversations were a daily occurrence. Don’t believe me? … Well, take a look at this video on the Maine Coon Central YouTube channel, of Pippin chatting away:

This vocal engagement strengthens the illusion of dog-like companionship. It feels interactive rather than one-sided, as though the cat is responding emotionally, not simply making noise.

Many Maine Coon owners describe their cats as “chatty” or “opinionated,” which reflects this desire for communication rather than attention-seeking behaviour.

Here’s another short video of Mika talking away to me, also showing on Maine Coon Central’s YouTube channel:

Intelligence And Trainability: Where The Dog Comparison Deepens

Trainability is one of the strongest overlaps between Maine Coons and dogs.

While most cats can learn routines, Maine Coons often demonstrate:

• Rapid learning
• Strong memory
• Problem-solving curiosity
• Willingness to engage with challenges

Pippin was exceptionally intelligent. He learned to place his paw into my hand on cue, to wait when told, and to respond consistently to verbal instruction. His ability to pause, observe, and comply was strikingly un-cat-like.

Bali has learned to play fetch – not once or twice, but repeatedly and intentionally. He retrieves toys, brings them back, and waits for the next throw. Here is a YouTube video from Maine Coon Central’s YouTube channel, showing Bali playing fetch with his favorite mouse toy!

If you fancy giving training a go, follow our guide on How To Train A Maine Coon Cat To Play Fetch!

Mika, meanwhile, has mastered a dog-style treat puzzle toy, manipulating moving parts until food drops out. This requires patience, planning, and understanding cause-and-effect – skills typically associated with dogs.

You won’t believe your eyes – watch Mika complete a difficult dog-treat toy in this YouTube video:

Ultimately, Maine Coon cats cooperate – they don’t submit. These behaviours aren’t tricks taught through dominance or obedience. Maine Coons learn because they enjoy mental stimulation and interaction.

Play Style: Interactive Rather Than Solitary

Many cats prefer solitary play. Maine Coons usually do not.

They gravitate toward:

• Interactive wand games
• Fetch-style play
• Puzzle toys
• Games involving humans

This mirrors dog behaviour more closely than traditional feline hunting play. Bali’s love of fetch is a perfect example, not driven by food rewards, but by the enjoyment of shared activity.

This desire to play with humans, rather than simply near them, is one of the breed’s defining social traits.

The Fascination With Water

Water avoidance is a classic feline stereotype, and one Maine Coons frequently defy. Mika is completely obsessed with water. He regularly submerges his entire face into the cat fountain while drinking and will happily paw, splash, and investigate running water.

This behaviour is surprisingly common in the breed.

Many Maine Coons:

• Prefer fountains to bowls
• Dip paws before drinking
• Sit beside taps or showers
• Splash water deliberately

While not universal, it’s far more common than in most cat breeds, and again mirrors canine curiosity more than feline caution.

Loyalty And Emotional Attachment

Dogs are loyal. Maine Coons are deeply bonded.

Rather than forming loose associations, many Maine Coons attach strongly to their humans. They track routines, notice emotional shifts, and often choose proximity over isolation.

They may:

• Follow you from room to room
• Sit nearby without demanding attention
• Sleep close rather than alone
• Become unsettled if routines change

This emotional awareness creates a companionship that feels more dog-like than cat-like, even though it manifests quietly.

Where The Comparison Ends

Despite all these similarities, Maine Coons are still cats.

They do not:

• Obey commands blindly
• Tolerate forced interaction
• Thrive on constant instruction
• Seek approval in the same way dogs do

Their intelligence is autonomous, not obedient. A Maine Coon chooses to participate. That choice – not submission – is what makes their companionship feel so meaningful.

Maine Coon Vs Dog: Temperament Comparison

So… Are Maine Coons Like Dogs?

In many ways, yes. Not because they behave exactly like dogs, but because they offer something most cats do not:

• Loyalty without dependence
• Intelligence without obedience
• Affection without clinginess
• Companionship without loss of independence

From Pippin greeting me at the door and “talking” the moment I arrived home, to Bali quietly guarding the driveway and proudly playing fetch, to Mika solving puzzle toys and dunking his face into the water fountain – the dog comparison becomes easy to understand.

Final Thoughts

Maine Coons are not dogs in disguise. They are emotionally intelligent, socially connected cats that blur the traditional line between feline independence and canine companionship.

If you want a cat that simply lives in your house, this may not be the breed for you. But if you want a companion that notices you, interacts with you, learns alongside you, and chooses to be part of your daily life – a Maine Coon comes remarkably close to man’s best friend.