Maine Coons in Egypt? What a surprise! If you've read our other blogs you'll know that cat wise nothing is a surprise in modern Egypt, things go with the flow - and the fashion. However, what you'll also have discovered is that scientists have discovered that some cats of Middle Eastern heritage, like the original Egyptian Mau, are genetically closely related to the Maine Coon. In this respect they fall into the same group as Turkish Angoras and Korats. Their other similarity is that the Maine Coon and the Egyptian Mau belong to the category of cat coats known as Tabby of which there are four categories - classic, mackerel, spotted and ticked - although the Maine Coon is a classic tabby whilst the Egyptian Mau is a spotted variety.
So how did a cat associated with the USA come to be related to a cat of Middle Eastern origin? And how are they back in Egypt?
Well the latter is easy. Modern Egyptian fashion in cats tends to follow that of Europe and North America. The Maine Coon happens to be one of the most popular family cats due to its temperament and relatively easy care requirements. At the moment it's rivalled by the Instagram popularity of British Shorthairs, Scottish Folds, Ragdolls and, somewhat surprising, Sphynxes. There is no regulation of breeding in Egypt so new fashions can be adopted relatively easily to the detriment of those breeds which have fallen down the fashion ranks. Cairo Cat Rescue and Rehoming Champions know this only too well.
How a cat of Middle Eastern origin got to North America is somewhat more difficult to firmly ascertain. They are first recorded in the State of Maine (hence the name) from the end of the eighteenth century and one suggestion is that they were brought over by French emigres fleeing from the Revolution. The French were of course in Egypt in the 1790s. There is no other explanation I can yet find. From its size (of which later) and its stand-up tufted ears it has been suggested that these cats probably integrated with the native bobcat, producing the very distinctive cat that it is today, however these claims have now largely been denied to reinforce its status as a domestic cat.
What we do know is that in the mid-nineteenth century farmers from Maine began exhibiting their 'Coon cats' at Skowhegan Fair in Maine and that in 1895 a tabby Maine Coon won best in show at the first American cat show in New York. From 1908 they were listed as a breed by the Cat Fanciers Association and are classified as an American native breed.
In appearance they are one of the world's largest cats weighing between 9 to over 20 lbs for fully grown males. As mentioned above, their origin is as a Tabby cat but their coats can also now be solid, bi-colour, calico, parti-colour (tortoiseshell), smoke, blue and white - in fact far too many colours and variations to list here. They do not however come in chocolate or lavender. Their coat is heavy, shaggy and silky, so like all long-haired cats they ideally require the occasional services of a professional groomer. Their eye colour varies with the coat colour and they can also be odd-eyed. Their upright tufted ears are very distinctive.
In temperament they are very like the Turkish Angora - but without the bossy streak. They are intelligent but laid-back, very trainable and enjoy interacting with the household including children. Like Egyptian Maus, they love observing household tasks, enjoy water play and are also talkative, but in a less demanding voice. They are also usually good with other cats and cat-friendly dogs.
Maine Coons are of course known as the 'gentle giant' and can have a tendency to overfeed if their food is left out all day. They can suffer from hip dysplasia so being overweight is not a good idea. Other than that and grooming, regular examination of those special ears is advisable. They enjoy being outdoor cats but whether you live in an area where it's safe for your special cat to wonder the neighbourhood must be for you to decide. They are extremely expensive cats and also friendly, so you my find one day your cat may not come home. An outdoor catio is a good compromise and one that our Rescue would endorse.
At the moment Cairo Cat Rescue and Rehoming Champions do not see many Maine Coons - Sue above is one of the exceptions - but as more Maine Coon catteries open in Cairo and elsewhere it's inevitable some will come our way.
Are you looking for a family-friendly cat whose only drawbacks are a bit of extra grooming? Then one of these impressive felines could be just the companion for you.
If you enjoy our Newsletters and Blogs please consider making a donation to help us. The price of a cup of coffee would do. We have 280 cats in our care, most coming from a background of hardship and abuse on the streets of Cairo. You can send via PayPal to catschampions4c@gmail.com.
We thank you in advance for considering this.
Comments