Personality

Keep in mind that despite their intimidating size, Maine coons are actually gentle giants who adore spending time with their owners. They don't value privacy or personal space too much and expect to be included in the family. These cats love the idea of following you around as you go about your day, from room to room.

Maine coons are big, loving cats that enjoy spending time with their owners and playing with them. Although owners of Maine coons recognize and appreciate these cats for being affectionate family pets, this cat species is mainly known for its enormous size—up to 40 inches in length.

The majority of specialists believe that the Maine coon is a descendant of exotic long-haired cats that were introduced to American shores by early explorers in—where else?—Maine. The sole native long-haired cat in the United States was produced when those ship cats crossed with the local short-haired breeds. There are several explanations for how the Maine coon earned its name, including one that connects the breed's origins to a sailor by the name of Charles Coon and another that attributes the name to the cat's bushy tail, which resembles a raccoon.