How Many Different Types Of Maine Coons Are There?
So many people wonder how many different types of Maine Coon Cats are there? After all, the Maine Coon is a beautiful cat, but it comes in many different colors and patterns.
The Maine Coon Cat is a single breed that comes in a variety of different coat colors and patterns. There are 75+ different coat combinations for the Maine Coon. It’s possible to divide Maine Coons into categories based on fur color or pattern, but these do not affect the cat’s temperament in any way.
The Maine Coon is a majestic cat breed that comes in dozens of different colors and patterns. However, no matter what a Maine Coon looks like, it is fundamentally the same as other Maine Coons.
Read on to find out more about the temperament and history of this amazing breed!
How Many Different Types Of Maine Coon Cats Are There?
The Maine Coon is a beautiful breed, famous for being the largest domesticated cat breed in the world.
They are also known for their lion-like mane, as well as their gentle and intelligent temperament.
The Maine Coon comes in a variety of different patterns, which can be separated into five main categories (source 1).
- Solid: Solid patterns are the simplest. A solid Maine Coon will come in just one color that is even throughout the body.
- Tipped: Tipping refers to a cat with a white undercoat and various amounts of a different color on the tip of the hair. The deepness of the tipping results in three different categories.
- Shell: Shell cats have very light tipping on the back, tail, and flanks, as well as possibly on the face and head.
- Shaded: Shaded cats have a moderate degree of tipping located on the sides, face, and tail. Read about shaded Maine Coon cats.
- Smoke: This is the most deeply tipped coat, resulting in a much darker appearance than shell or shaded. Meet the smoke Maine Coon cat.
- Bi-Color: Bi-color refers to a combination of white and any other color, with various amounts of mixing.
- Parti-color: Parti-color refers to a combination of two different colors on a cat’s coat, and can also include a combination of two colors as well as solid areas of white.
- Calico: Calico cats have patches of red and black (or its diluted versions, blue and cream) with areas of solid white throughout the coat.
- Tortoiseshell: A tortoiseshell cat is similar to a calico because it will have both black and red (or its diluted versions, blue and cream), but the colors will be brindled, meaning they streak together.
- Tortoiseshell and White: A tortoiseshell and white cat will have tortoiseshell markings, but patches of solid white interspersed throughout the body.
- Patched: A patched cat has two different colors present on the coat that is unbrindled. Some possible color combinations for Maine Coons include blue and cream or black and red.
- Tabby: The distinctive markings of a tabby cat are caused by the banding of the cat’s hair. Altogether, there are five main categories of tabby markings.
- Agouti: The Agouti tabby is also referred to as the Abyssinian tabby or ticked tabby. At first, the Agouti tabby may appear completely solid. However, if you look closely, you will see the tabby markings on the cat’s forehead. While the rest of the fur may appear solid, the banded hairs mean that this cat is still a true tabby.
- Spotted Tabby: Spotted tabbies still have the classic stripes of a tabby on their face, but rather than having stripes on their body, they actually have spots. This shouldn’t be confused with a broken mackerel tabby, which we’ll cover later.
- Classic Tabby: The classic tabby is also sometimes called the marble tabby. These cats have attractive thick stripes that form distinctive swirls or bulls-eyes on the cat’s sides.
- Mackerel Tabby: Mackerel tabbies look the most like tigers, with parallel stripes that run down the body’s sides. These stripes can also be broken so that they appear to be spotted, but they still run in the shape of stripes, unlike the spotted tabby.
- Patched Tabby: The patched tabby is a unique category because it can be any of the above patterns. However, a patched tabby will have a combination of two colors in its coat, rather than one. It’s important to note that this pattern is only possible in females.
Are There Different Breeds Of Maine Coon Cats?
Some people wonder if Maine Coon cats located in different countries, such as Russia or America, are actually different breeds.
This is false, however. The Maine Coon Cat is already a breed, and it cannot be divided into further sub-categories.
The location also does not affect a Maine Coon, although breed standards might be more rigid or more loose depending on the country.
For example, the breed standard for Maine Coon Cats in Australia does not permit Maine Coons of chocolate, cinnamon, lilac, or fawn coloration (source 1).
Maine Coon Cat Breed Information
While many people appreciate the Maine Coon because of its size, it also has an amazing temperament and rich history.
Here are the basics of the Maine Coon to help you get acquainted with this wonderful breed:
1. History
The Maine Coon’s history can be traced back to the state of Maine, where it developed naturally in a cold environment.
The breed became popular on farms and ships, where its impressive hunting instincts were used to keep rats and other vermin at bay.
Now, they are one of the most popular cat breeds in the world!
2. Appearance
The Maine Coon is a large cat, weighing between 8 and 25 pounds, with a height of around 10 to 16 inches and a length between 19 and 40 inches.
They have medium-length fur that is longer around their neck, tail, and paws.
3. Colors
The Maine Coon comes in many different colors, including white, black, blue, red, cream, gold, and silver.
4. Personality / Temperament
One of the most distinctive parts of the Maine Coon is its personality.
These cats are often referred to as the “gentle giants” of the cat world. They are incredibly gentle and patient and get along well with children and other pets.
The Maine Coon is also known for its intelligence and dog-like personality. Many Maine Coons can learn all sorts of tricks, and some even like to play fetch!
Finally, the Maine Coon has a unique voice, as well. These cats rarely meow but instead chirp and trill to get their owners’ attention.
5. Grooming Needs
The Maine Coon’s medium to long fur means that these cats need to be brushed at least twice every week.
And, more before summer and winter when they shed their coats to prepare for the changing of the seasons.
Their fur, which is longer around their paws, may also need to be trimmed if it becomes dirty or matted.
6. Lifespan
The Maine Coon is a healthy breed that can typically be expected to live between 12 and 15 years.
7. Price
The Maine Coon is a popular and highly sought-after breed, so purchasing one from a reputable breeder can be unfortunately expensive.
Most Maine Coons cost between $500 and $2,500.
How To Recognize A Maine Coon Cat
Have you ever seen a cat that you thought might be a Maine Coon, but weren’t entirely sure?
Here are some characteristics to look out for that might indicate whether a cat is a Maine Coon.
- Lynx Tip Ears: While this isn’t true for all Maine Coons, many cats of this breed have distinctive tufts of fur on the tops of their ears, referred to as “lynx tips.”
- Tufted Paws: It is also common for Maine Coons to have long tufts of fur on and around their paws.
- Mane or Ruff: The fur around a Maine Coon’s neck and the chest is often much longer, creating a distinctive ruff or mane that makes them look like a lion!
- Enormous Size: Another key physical attribute of the Maine Coon is its enormous size. These cats can weigh between 8 and 25 pounds, stand at a height of 10 to 16 inches, and measure a length between 19 and 40 inches!
- Unique Voice: The unique voice of a Maine Coon means that they often speak in little chirps and trills, rather than meowing like most cats.
Is My Cat A Maine Coon Quiz
There are many quizzes online that claim to tell you whether or not your cat is a Maine Coon.
While certain characteristics can indicate a cat’s breed, there’s no conclusive way to know for sure unless you have the cat’s pedigree from a breeder, or by taking a genetic test.
Conclusion
A lot of people wonder how many different types of Maine Coon cats are there?
While all Maine Coon cats are basically the same (although their personality can vary widely), they do come in a variety of colors and patterns.
You can separate Maine Coons into five pattern categories:
- Solid
- Tipped
- Bi-color
- Parti-color
- Tabby
While the colors and patterns vary immensely among Maine Coon cats, what a Maine Coon looks like ultimately does not affect its personality or temperament.
The most distinctive part of a Maine Coon is its intelligence and playful, gentle nature.
Related Questions
How Many Maine Coon Cats Are There In The World?
While there is no way to know for sure how many Maine Coons there are in the world, they are an abundant breed that is widespread across the globe.
