Maine-Coon cats

Akiro, Yumi and Neo

From the perspective of an Aiderbichler

(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)

Maine refers to the American state of Maine, the English word coon comes from rancoon and means raccoon. The country of origin of the Maine-Coon cat is therefore America. The ancestors of the Maine Coon were long-haired and arrived in the American state of Maine with the sailors around 1850. Here the imported cats mated with the local shorthair cats. The offspring were large, powerfully built cats with semi-long fur and a brush-like tail reminiscent of the raccoon. This gave rise to the name Maine Coon.

With its long and broad head, the Maine Coon shows self-confidence. Its muzzle is broad, the eyes are slightly wider apart, the large ears have a small lynx tuft and protect the ears from the cold. The water-repellent coat and the tufts of fur between the toes are also special.

An American show cat with a great history

In the 19th century, the so-called Maine cats were very popular and appeared at shows time and again. Many cat shows were organised in the USA, and in 1906 the Americans founded the CFA – Cat Fanciers’ Association. There were 28 Maine Coon cats registered in the first CFA studbook, one of which was Molly Bond, number 5 among the registered Maine Coon cats.

Maine-Coon cats are good-natured, dignified, playful and friendly and speak a special language

Maine-Coons love water, they are playful and easy to train and therefore also make wonderful family cats. The Maine Coon adapts well to other cats and/or dogs in the household.

Did you know that a Maine coon chirps or trills? The Maine coon communicates by cooing or trilling or meowing plaintively. Its voice sounds soft and rather quiet, but if it gets angry, it can also let out a loud growl.

Yumi

Neo

Akiro

Yumi, Akiro and Neo at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf

The Aiderbichler animal carers in Henndorf have had the opportunity to get to know the special character of the Maine Coon for a few weeks now.

Akiro (male, 2 years old) and Yumi (female, 2 years old) are a pair of siblings and have travelled a particularly strange path in their young lives. The two beauties came to Henndorf via an animal welfare organisation. He had noticed illegal puppy traders on the internet. Through his interventions, the animal welfare activist managed to put a stop to the traders. In the course of his interventions, a third Maine Coon cat, the snow-white Neo (approx. 1 year old), was rescued.

Yumi, Akiro and Neo lived with the animal welfare expert for a while. Unfortunately, his job increasingly cut into his time with the cats, so he turned to Gut Aiderbichl to find the three Maine Coons a new forever home.
The gorgeous cats are currently living in an elegant cat living room, and we hope they feel at home too. Neo was already shy as a kitten, but we notice that he is showing more and more courage from week to week. He proudly lies down in front of the glass door and then starts to communicate with visitors in Maine Coon style. You would have to take a lot of time to understand his soft gurgling and cooing sounds. Who knows what he wants to tell us from the Maine-Coon room?