The Maine Coon Cat

by Liza Gardner Walsh

Overview

The Maine Coon is arguably the most popular breed of cat in the United States, and it is certainly the largest, with some males weighing nearly 20 pounds. This book provides an informative and fun look at America’s favorite feline, exploring the history and origins of the breed, traits and characteristics, interviews with breeders and owners, and some practical how-to advice. Filled with color photographs and sidebars of pertinent information, this is the perfect book for cat lovers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608932504
Publisher:	Down East Books
Publication date:	09/07/2013
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Liza Gardner Walsh is a children's librarian in Rockport, Maine. She has worked as a high school English teacher, a writing tutor, a museum educator, and holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College. She lives in Camden, Maine with her two daughters, Phoebe and Daphne, and her husband Jeff.

Table of Contents

What Is a Maine Coon Cat? 9

Physical Characteristics 9

The Colors of the Coon 15

Temperament 20

Cool Facts About Coon Cats 23

The Cat of a Hundred Tales 25

The Maine Coon and the Raccoon 26

The Bobcat Marriage 28

Marie Antoinette 30

The Vikings 31

Evolution and the Coastal Connection 32

Fallacies and Urban Legends 34

The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of the Maine Coon Cat 39

History of the Breed 39

Dirigo Maine-Origin Coons: "Keeping the 'Maine' in Coon Cats," 45

Maine Coon Breed Standard 48

Cooper Ridge Cattery: "Breeding with Integrity," 50

Rescue Cats 53

Pussy's Port of Call 53

Franklin and Ozzie and the Cat Whisperer 55

Maine Coon Strays 56

How to Tell if Your Rescue Cat is a Maine Coon 59

Caring for and Grooming a Maine Coon 61

Living with a Maine Coon Cat: Owners' Stories 63

Three Cats Under Four 63

Moomoo Comes Home 65

So you Think You Have a Show Cat 68

Coon Cats that Made a Mark on Literature 72

Togus - A Coon Cat Finds a Home and Fame 71

The Cat Made Me Buy It 76

Hodge - The Bookstore Cat 78

Trout and My Cat, Coon Cat 80

Finding a Maine Coon Cat 83

Some Questions You Should Always Ask a Breeder 85

Maine Coon Health Watch 88

Resources 91

Acknowledgments 93

Editorial Reviews

Featuring striking, full color photography on almost every page, The Maine Coon Cat is a delightful introduction to the second most popular breed of cat (after Persians). Chapters reconstruct the little-known history of this heavyset feline, stories of rescuing or living with Maine Coons, Maine Coons in literature, tips for caring for a Maine Coon, and perhaps most importantly, how to ensure that one's prospective pet comes from a responsible, registered breeder who cares about the animals, and not a "backyard breeder" who eschews animal welfare for a quick profit. "Noting where the kittens are being raised is important. If they are housed in a part of the house with only the mother cat, this would sound an alarm for proper socialization. Also, if there are more than two or three litters at one time, it might be more of a kitten mill than a quality breeder who is going to devote a lot of time to their cats." Highly recommended, especially for casual cat fanciers!

Midwest Book Review