Early Maine Coons | Pandora's Paws

🐾 The Early Maine Coons: From Barn Cats to Beloved Companions 🐾

The story of the early Maine Coons is rooted in the rugged, rural life of 19th-century New England. Long before they became stars of cat shows and household favorites, these hardy cats earned their keep on farms and ships, admired for their strong hunting instincts, large size, and weather-resistant coats.

In the early days, Maine Coons weren’t bred for beauty—they evolved naturally, adapting to the cold, snowy winters of Maine. With their thick, water-repellent fur, large tufted paws (like snowshoes!), and bushy tails they could wrap around themselves for warmth, they were built for survival.

Early settlers and sailors likely brought long-haired cats from overseas, which interbred with local short-haired cats. The resulting offspring were sturdy, intelligent, and uniquely suited to life in the wild and on working homesteads. Farmers valued them as skilled mousers, and their friendly yet independent personalities made them a welcome part of rural family life.

The first recorded mention of a Maine Coon as a show cat was in 1861, with a cat named Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines—a black-and-white stunner who captured hearts and headlines. By the late 1800s, Maine Coons were regular features at cat shows, even winning the top prize at the first major U.S. cat show in 1895 at Madison Square Garden.

Before they graced the show halls and snuggled up in luxury homes around the world, Maine Coons lived a much humbler life—roaming barns, patrolling ship decks, and curling up by firesides in the rugged northeastern United States. At Pandora’s Paws, we’re proud to continue the legacy of this incredible breed. But where did they begin? Let’s take a little walk through time and meet the early Maine Coons.

🌲 A Breed Shaped by Nature

The Maine Coon is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. Unlike many modern breeds developed through controlled pairings, early Maine Coons evolved naturally—likely the result of long-haired cats brought by sailors or settlers, mixing with local short-haired cats. Over time, these cats adapted to Maine’s harsh winters, and the breed's distinctive traits began to emerge. These early cats were built for survival. They were big, sturdy, and rugged, with thick, shaggy coats that repelled snow and rain, tufted ears for protection, and those iconic bushy tails that doubled as blankets on cold nights. Maine farmers prized them for their excellent mousing skills, but what made them extra special was their warm, intelligent, and friendly nature—a hallmark of the breed to this day.

🐾 The Magic of Extra Toes: Polydactylism

One of the more fascinating traits of early Maine Coons was polydactylism—extra toes! Far from being a defect, many early Maine Coons had up to 7 toes per paw. These wide, mitten-like feet may have given them better balance and traction in snowy or rocky terrain, making them even more effective hunters.

While not always accepted in traditional show rings, polydactyl Maine Coons are treasured by many breeders and fans for their unique heritage. Today, some registries (like TICA) recognize polydactyl Maine Coons as part of the breed standard, and interest in preserving these old genetics is growing.

🎖️ From Farms to First Prize

Maine Coons weren’t just practical—they were admired for their beauty, too. One of the earliest known show Maine Coons was a black-and-white male named Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines, shown in the 1860s. With his striking looks and charismatic presence, he helped put the breed on the map.

But it was in 1895, at the very first major American cat show held at Madison Square Garden in New York, that Maine Coons truly made history. A brown tabby female named Cosey took home Best in Show, beating out fancy imported breeds. Her prize? A silver collar and medal, which still exist today as part of the Cat Fanciers’ Association’s (CFA) archives. For a time, Maine Coons were the darlings of the American cat fancy.

📉 Almost Forgotten… Then a Comeback

Unfortunately, the rise of Persians and other exotic breeds in the early 1900s pushed Maine Coons into the background. By the 1950s, they were so rare that people feared they might vanish entirely.

Thankfully, dedicated breeders stepped in. In 1968, the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) was formed to revive the breed. Through careful breeding that honored the cats’ natural origins, the Maine Coon began to make its comeback. By 1976, the CFA granted the Maine Coon championship status, and the rest is history.

🌟 Foundation Cats and Modern Lines

Many of today’s pedigreed Maine Coons can trace their lineage back to several key foundation cats from the 1960s and ’70s. Cats like Andy Katt of Heidi Ho, Bruno of Heidi Ho, and Tatiana were instrumental in rebuilding the breed’s genetic diversity and preserving its essential traits—strength, temperament, and that iconic look. These cats, and the breeders behind them, laid the groundwork for the Maine Coons we know and love today.

🌱 New Foundation Breeding: Preserving the Spirit of the Original Maine Coon

As the Maine Coon gained global popularity, most breeding lines became increasingly intertwined—many tracing back to the same limited set of foundation cats from the 1960s and ’70s. While this legacy is valuable, it also raised concerns about the long-term genetic diversity of the breed.

That’s where new foundation breeding comes in.

New foundation breeding is the practice of introducing naturally occurring Maine Coon-type cats—usually from the breed’s place of origin in the Northeastern United States—into the registered gene pool. These are often unregistered barn cats, farm cats, or ferals that exhibit classic Maine Coon traits in both structure and temperament. This approach is carefully managed and requires thorough health testing, lineage research (to ensure no recent known pedigree overlap), and breed approval by organizations like TICA and MCBFA. If a cat is accepted, it becomes a “foundation cat” and can help diversify and strengthen the breed.

🧬 Why It Matters

Genetic diversity is crucial for long-term health and resilience.
It preserves original traits that may have been softened or altered through decades of selective breeding.
It helps reconnect the breed to its natural, working-cat origins—those hearty mousers from barns and fishing villages.

Some responsible breeders, especially in the U.S. and parts of Canada, still pursue new foundation lines today—often with deep respect for the original Maine Coon phenotype. While it's a slow and carefully regulated process, it keeps the breed grounded in its roots and protects its future.

📚 References & Further Reading

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). History of the Maine Coon. https://cfa.org/maine-coon/
The International Cat Association (TICA). Maine Coon Breed Profile. https://www.tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=882:maine-coon-breed&catid=79
MCBFA. Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association Archives.
Leyshon, C. (2004). The Myth and Mystery of the Maine Coon. Fancy Feline Publications.
Fricke, E. (1990). The Book of the Cat. Simon & Schuster.
Shultz, Judith. “Origins of the Maine Coon Breed – The Foundation Lines.” PawPeds.
https://www.pawpeds.com/pawacademy/genetics/foundationlines/
Shultz, Judith. “The Revival of the Maine Coon.” PawPeds.
https://www.pawpeds.com/pawacademy/history/revival/
Pedersen, N.C., et al. (2016). Genetic assessment of the domestic cat population: implications for health and breed preservation. PLoS ONE, 11(11): e0165805.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0165805
PawPeds Maine Coon Database:
https://www.pawpeds.com/db/?p=mainecoon
MCBFA (Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association)
http://www.mcbfa.org
TICA (The International Cat Association) – Foundation Registration Info
https://www.tica.org