TICA standard for maine coons

MAINE COON (MC)

HEAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 points

Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Eyes .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Ears . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Muzzle and Chin . . . . 10

Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

BODY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 points

Torso . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Legs and Feet . . . . . . . 3

Tail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Boning . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Musculature . . . . . . . 10

COAT/Color/PATTERN25 points

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Texture . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

CATEGORY: Traditional.

DIVISIONS: All.

ColorS: All.

PERMISSIBLE OUTCROSSES: None.

Overall balance and proportion are essential to the Maine Coon and no one feature should dominate the eye's attention over any other.

HEAD:

Shape: Broad, modified wedge. Size in proportion to body. Slightly longer than wide. Distinct muzzle break can be seen under high prominent cheekbones.

Eyes: Large, slightly oval, appear round when wide open. Outer corner of eye points toward outer base of ear. Wide-set. Color: Any shade of green and/or gold. No relationship to coat color. Blue and odd-eyes accepted in whites and particolors.

Ears: Large, wide at base with outer base set just slightly farther back than inner base. Outer base just above the level of the top of the eye. Outside edges have a very slight outward tilt that is not past eleven and one o'clock. Set fairly high on head with inner edge of ear bases no more than one ear's width apart. Taller than the width at base but still in balance with head length. Moderately pointed ears appear taller due to lynx tips. Furnishings extend beyond outer edge of ear.

Chin: Wide and deep enough to complete square look of muzzle. Firm, in line with upper lip.

Muzzle: Square.

Profile: Gently curving forehead. Gentle concave curve at bridge of nose flowing into a smooth nose line. Slight nose bump allowed in kittens.

Neck: Medium-long, with sturdy musculature.

BODY:

Torso: Large, long, substantial, rectangular, equal in breadth from shoulders to hips. Broad chest. Level back. Females may be noticeably smaller than males.

Legs: Medium length to form a rectangle with the body.

Feet: Large, round and welltufted.

Tail: At least as long as the body. Wide at base and tapering to tip with full, flowing fur.

Boning: Substantial.

Musculature: Substantial, powerful.

COAT/Color/PATTERN:

Length: Uneven; shorter on shoulders, gradually lengthening down the back and sides. Frontal ruff, long; full shaggy britches and belly fur. A full ruff is not expected; however, there should be frontal ruff beginning at the base of the ears

Texture: All-weather coat. Coat has distinct body, falling smoothly along body. A slight undercoat is carried. Not cottony or wooly.

Color: Traditional Category, all divisions, all colors. White trim around eyes, lips, and chin allowed except in solid colors.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Maine Coon is America's native longhaired cat. The breed, with its essentially amiable disposition, developed through a natural selection process where only the fittest survived. It should always be remembered that the Maine Coon developed basically as a "working cat" able to fend for itself in rough, woody terrain and under extreme climatic conditions. Maine Coons are a large breed with big ears, broad chest, substantial boning, a long, hard-muscled, rectangular body and a long, flowing tail. Good muscle tone and density give the cat the appearance of power.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Females are proportionally smaller than males and can weigh 4 to 5 pounds less. Allowance MUST be made for this significant size difference. Mature males can have larger broader heads than the females.

PENALIZE:

Pronounced whisker pads. Undershot chin. Nose break or severe bump at end. Lack of slight undercoat. Buttons, lockets, or spots. Straight nose profile. Wide-set, flared ears. Long stilty legs. Slanted, almond-shaped eyes. Flat tops on eye openings. Lack of belly shag. Short tail. Rounded head. Overall even coat. Short cobby body. Fine, light boning. Overall small cat.

Temperament must be unchallenging; any sign of definite challenge shall disqualify. The cat may exhibit fear, seek to flee, or generally complain aloud but may not threaten to harm." Evidence of intent to deceive the judge by artificial means, cats with all or part of their tail missing (except those breeds whose standard calls for this feature), totally blind cats, cats having more or less than five toes on each front foot and four on each back foot (unless proved to be the result of an injury or as authorized by a Board approved standard), and, at the discretion of the judge, tail faults (visible or invisible) and/or crossed eyes shall be disqualified from championship competition.

On the subject you can also read the following material:

Seminar by Beth Hicks on maine coon breed standard under TICA rules (January, 2004)