Tuxedo Maine Coon Cats

Maine Coons come in a variety of colors and patterns, but the classic tuxedo Maine Coon remains a staple among fanciers of this breed.

Tuxedo Maine Coon Facts

The tuxedo pattern in cats is a bicolor or piebald pattern. Tuxedo Maine Coons are most often black with white spotting, but the base color can also be blue, red, or cream, among other potential colors and patterns. The white spotting on tuxedo cats only covers their face, chest, and paws, making the cat look like it’s wearing a tuxedo!

When you imagine a tuxedo cat in your head, I bet you’re picturing a black-and-white colored cat. But, did you know that tuxedo cats come in a range of colors?

Tuxedo Maine Coons are not rare. This pattern is one of the most common in Maine Coon cats since the color combination and pattern passes easily from parents to kittens, while other colors and patterns are more difficult to produce.

A common misconception is that tuxedo cats are a form of cat breed, but this is wrong. The term refers to a specific pattern that appears in many cat breeds.

Tuxedo Maine Coons are bicolor cats with white spotting on the cat’s chest, face, and paws. There are three main coat colors: Black, Red, and White. The black and red coloration is caused by pigments known as eumelanin and pheomelanin, respectively. The white is caused by a lack of pigment.

Cats can be either:

• Completely White (as the result of a dominant white gene)
• Partially White (as the result of a white spotting gene)

Bicolor cats are also known as piebald cats. They have one base pigment of either red or black, along with some amount of white spotting.

The degree of white spotting present on a cat is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the least amount of white spotting, and 10 being the most.

White spotting usually begins at the extremities (such as those listed below) then spreads inward on the body:

• Paws
• Face
• Chest
• Tail

The tuxedo cat pattern refers to a specific bicolor pattern where the degree of white spotting is typically between 1 and 4.

Tuxedo cats have white on their:

• Paws
• Chest
• Bellies
• May also have some white on their face or tail

Originally, the term tuxedo only encompassed solid black cats with this specific degree of white spotting, but today, many people also count cats with other colors and patterns.

Types Of Tuxedo Maine Coon

The black and white tuxedo Maine Coon is the most widely recognized, but there are a variety of other possible colors, as well.

Below are the five different types of tuxedo Maine Coons you could encounter (source 1,2,3):

1. Black Tuxedo

The black tuxedo Maine Coon is solid black with white spotting on the:

• Face
• Chest
• Paws

This is the most common kind of tuxedo Maine Coon.

2. Blue Tuxedo

Also known as the gray tuxedo Maine Coon, blue tuxedo Maine Coons are a diluted version of black, with the same white spotting patterns as a black tuxedo Maine Coon.

Diluted cats are rarer than standard red or black cats, because the diluted gene is recessive, meaning a cat must inherit at least one copy of the gene from each parent.

3. Red Tuxedo

The tuxedo Maine Coon can also be red, although many people refer to red cats as ginger or orange.

Read my article on the ‘Orange (Red) Maine Coon Cat’ to learn more about this fascinating Maine Coon coloring.

4. Cream Tuxedo

Cream tuxedo Maine Coons are a diluted version of red tuxedo Maine Coons.

Like the blue tuxedo Maine Coon, cream tuxedo Maine Coons are rarer since the cat must receive at least one copy of the diluted red gene from each parent.

5. Tortoiseshell Tuxedo

Most tuxedo Maine Coons have only one base color and a degree of white spotting.

Tortoiseshell tuxedo Maine Coons, however, have a base of brindled red and black, or a diluted brindled coat of cream and blue.

Origins

The tuxedo cat’s origins are a mystery but this pattern can be traced back centuries. Some of the earliest depictions of tuxedo cats date back to Ancient Egypt.

Ancient Egyptians had a particular fondness for tuxedo cats, as about 70% of all cat illustrations were tuxedo cats (source 1).

Size

Tuxedo Maine Coons are no different from other Maine Coons since a cat’s coat color does not affect its size.

Gender

Male Maine Coons are larger on average than their female counterparts.

Weight

A full-grown tuxedo Maine Coon can be expected to weigh between 12 – 22 pounds.

Height And Length

They measure 8 – 16 inches tall, and 19 and 40 inches long. Female Maine Coons typically measure between 8 – 14 inches tall, while their male counterparts are usually 10 – 16 inches tall.

Both male and female Maine Coons average about the same in length.

Growth Rate

These large cats have a very slow growth rate and do not reach full size until 3 – 5 years old.

Personality

Below are the key Maine Coon cat personality traits:

1. Social

Maine Coons are among the most social and loving cats. They are curious and friendly towards strangers and incredibly loyal and affectionate towards their owners.

While not clingy, Maine Coons love to spend time near their owners, often following them from room to room so they can remain close.

2. Playful

Despite their large size and wise appearance, Maine Coons are so playful. They act like kittens well into adulthood!

These cats still find wonder and excitement in everything, even when they’re old.

Of course, this also means that Maine Coons need playtime from their owners every day, as well as a lot of toys to entertain themselves.

These Maine Coon cat toys are ideal for stimulating their mind.

3. Intelligent

Maine Coons are revered for their intelligence.

They are very emotionally in tune with their owners, and can often sense when someone is upset or happy.

They are also great at problem-solving, which can lead them into all sorts of mischief!

4. Active

Maine Coon cats are one of the most athletic cat breeds out there. They have strong natural hunting instincts, and they also love to climb!

These cats need plenty of space to run and climb, as well as a lot of durable toys that can withstand their roughhousing.

Have you ever wondered just how high a Maine Coon cat can jump? If so, click here to be mesmerized!

5. Gentle

Maine Coons are also incredibly gentle and patient.

They are so famous for their even temperament that they have earned themselves the nickname the “gentle giants” of the cat world.

Additionally, Maine Coons get along especially well with children and are a lot more patient with humans and pets alike.

Read more about the special family bond between Maine Coon cats and children in this article.

Price

Maine Coons are not cheap, typically ranging between $400 and $2,000!

Here is a great example of what you can expect to pay for tuxedo Maine Coons, depending on how you choose to get one (source 1):

Adult

If you purchase a Maine Coon from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay between $400 and $1,000 for an adult tuxedo cat.

Here is a list packed full of registered Maine Coon cat breeders.

Kitten

A tuxedo Maine Coon kitten from a reputable, registered breeder can be expected to cost more than an adult.

You will typically have to spend between $800 and $2,000.

Since buying a Maine Coon kitten is such an expense, make sure you ask these 20 important questions before handing over your hard-earned money.

Adoption

Adoption is the cheapest way to get a Maine Coon cat, but it is also the most difficult.

Finding a Maine Coon at a shelter is no easy task, and they tend to be snatched up quite quickly by other fanciers of the breed.

Still, if you are lucky enough to find a tuxedo Maine Coon at a shelter, you will only have to pay between $100 and $250. This cheaper price makes the extra effort you have to put in worth it!

If you are new to cat adoption, here is a complete guide to Maine Coon adoption, including a few important factors that are important to keep in mind.

Retired Cat

Once Maine Coons reach a certain age, they are no longer able to compete in shows or continue to breed.

Many breeders choose to sell their retired Maine Coons so they can settle down for a peaceful life in their forever home.

Retired Maine Coons typically cost between $400 and $1,200. You can expect to pay a smaller amount for a tuxedo Maine Coon cat.

Breeders

Maine Coon breeders tend to have one or more breeding pairs, and they often specialize in certain colorations and patterns.

The following Maine Coon breeders, located in the United States, have tuxedo Maine Coons:

• At Last Cats
• Maine Coon Connections
• Coonomagic

All three of these catteries are TICA registered and have a wide variety of Maine Coons available.

‘Coonomagic’ has many black and white cats with varying degrees of white spotting, including some tuxedo cats!

‘At Last Cats’ and ‘Maine Coon Connections’ both have many cats with tuxedo patterns, although they tend to be in a variety of colors besides solid black (source 1,2,3).

Are They Hypoallergenic?

A cat’s color and pattern do not affect whether or not it is hypoallergenic.

Maine Coons are not hypoallergenic, therefore, Tuxedo Maine Coons are no less hypoallergenic than Maine Coons of any other color or pattern.

Whilst this breed does not shed as much year-round as many other long-haired cats, they still shed a lot during the spring and summer months.

They also produce plenty of allergens like dander and sebum (source 1).

Are They Always Male?

Maine Coon tuxedos can be either male or female, although tortoiseshell or calico tuxedo cats can only be female.

Why Black And White Cats Are Unpopular

Here are a few likely reasons:

1. They Are Common

The biggest reason black and white cats are less popular is because they are quite common.

Many people prefer the rarer Maine Coon colors and patterns listed below, to the more common black and white cats:

• Cream
• Silver
• Tortoiseshell
• Colorpoint

2. People Assume Their Personality

Many people mistakenly believe that a cat’s color and pattern affect its personality.

Some people believe that black and white cats have boring personalities, or are less intelligent than cats of other colors.

3. Seen As Unlucky

Black cats are often viewed as unlucky, and while black and white cats do not have quite as much of a bad rap as solid black cats, some of that superstition might still apply to them.