Original FIFE Standard of Maine Coon cats

 

Category II MCO Maine Coon Standard
    the Maine Coon is a natural breed of amiable character that traces its origin to the working cat found on the farms of Northeast America
General Appearance the breed of the Maine Coon is large framed with a square outline of the head, large ears, broad chest, solid bone structure, a long, hard muscled, rectangular body and a long flowing tail. Good muscle tone and density give the cat the appearance of power and robustness
Size large
Head Shape medium in size; square outline. Profile with a gentle concave slope
Forehead gently curved
Cheeks cheekbones high and prominent
Face
Nose
Muzzle		 face and nose of medium length with a square outline of the muzzle distinct transition can be felt between muzzle and cheekbones
Chin firm, in vertical alignment with nose and upperlip
Ears Shape large, wide at the base.
moderately pointed.
lynx-tufts are desirable, tufts of hair in the ears extend beyond outer edges of ears
Placement set high on head with a very slight outward tilt.
ears should be placed one ear's width apart, the width extends slightly in older cats
lower base set just slightly further back than upper base
Eyes Shape large and widely set.
slightly oval, but not almond shaped, appear round when wide open
set slightly slanted towards the outer base of the ear
Colour any colour is permitted, there is no relationship between eye- and coat colour
clear eye colour is desirable
Neck   males have a very strong muscled neck
Body Structure the body should be long, substantial bone structure
hard muscled, powerful, broad chested
large framed, all parts of the body in proportion to create a rectangular appearance
Legs   substantial, medium length to form a rectangle with the body
Paws large, round and well tufted between the toes
Tail   at least as long as the body from shoulderblade to base of tail
wide at the base tapering to the tip; with full, flowing hair
the hair on the tail is long and always remains flowing
Coat Structure

all weather coat, dense
short on head, shoulders and legs, becoming gradually longer down the back and sides, with long, full shaggy baggy trousers on the hind legs and belly fur, a frill is expected
texture silky
coat has distinct body, falling smoothly
the undercoat is soft and fine, covered by the coarse smooth outercoat
Colour

all colour varieties are permitted, including all colour varieties with white; except pointed patterns and chocolate and lilac, cinnamon and fawn
any amount of white is allowed, i.e. a white blaze, white locket, white chest, white on the belly, white on the paws, etc.

for colour varieties refer to tables below
Condition   the Maine Coon should always be in good balance, condition and proportion
Remarks  
  • type must always take preference over colour
  • very slow maturing of the breed should be taken into account
  • mature males may have larger and broader heads than females
  • females are proportionally smaller than males. Allowance must be made for this significant difference in size
  • length of coat and density of undercoat vary with the seasons
Faults General
  • unbalanced proportions
  • overall small cat
Head
  • round head
  • straight or convex profile
Nose
  • nose break
Muzzle
  • pronounced whisker pads
  • round or pointed muzzle
Chin
  • undershot chin
Ears
  • wide set, flared ears
Eyes
  • slanted almond shaped eyes
Body
  • fine, light bone structure
  • short cobby body
Legs
  • long stilty legs
Tail
  • short tail
Coat
  • lack of belly shag
  • coat of overall even length
  • lack of any undercoat