HEAD (40)
25 .. General shape, shape of nose, cheeks and muzzle, jaw and teeth
, forehead, chin
10 .. Ears
05 .. Eyes
BODY (35)
25 .. Shape, size, bonestructure, legs, shape of paws
10 .. Shape and length of tail
COAT (20)
10 .. Shape, size, bonestructure, legs, shape of paws
10 .. Shape and length of tail
CONDITION (5)
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 flowing tail.
Good muscle tone and density give the cat the appearance of power and
robustness.
Size:
Medium to large
Shape:
Medium in size, square outline. Profile with a gentle
concave slope.
Head
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 coatcolour.
Clear eye colour is desirable.
Neck
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
Legs:
Substantial, medium length to form a rectangle with
the body
Paws
Large, round and well tufted between the toes
Tail
Tail
At least als long as the body from shouderblade 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 colours are acceptable except pointed patterns,
the colours chocolate, cinnamon, lilac, fawn, and the burmese
factors. Any amount of white is permitted.
Condition
Condition
The Maine Coon should always be in good balance,
condition and proportion.
Misc.
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:
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