Maine Coon or Cross Breed??

**Chester** · 31st August 2010, 05:50 PM

Hi all

Thanks for your replies. I've uploaded some pictures of her so see what you think. The first one is when she quite young approx 4 months, the second when she was 7 months and the last is a very recent one of her. Hope they load up ok!

The vet thinks she's just under a year old now. Hard to believe someone would abandon her but her owner didn't come forward so we decided to adopt her. She was checked for a microchip when we found her and also tried to trace her owner in the local area. She's been fully vaccinated now and has a microchip.

In appearance she has an angular head, pointy ears, a large white ruff around her neck and she has very furry tufts inside her ears which curl outside. Long fur all over in tortoiseshell and white colouring. A long busy tail - although not as large as some of the pictures we have studied of Maine Coons! We thought she was just clumsy but she has very large paws and has extremely furry feet, between the pads so she slips on our wooden flooring When we had snow this year she slept outside in it which we thought was odd too....until we realised how furry her feet were.

Since she's been in the house we've noticed some things which got us thinking about her breed. When she is playing she makes a strange sound which is like a bleat or chirp. She doesn't have a normal meow either it's more of a squeaking noise as though she is talking. When we throw a ball to her she catches it with both paws and also picks things up almost like a dog would retrieve a toy. She walks around with random objects in her mouth and likes to steal things to chew - particularly tubes of lip balm!

She also likes to nip us on the nose and chin - not in a vicious way though! Considering she has lived in the shed and garden for her early days she doesn't actually like going outside much. We have a cat enclosure joined to the house so she has free access to the garden but seems to be happier inside with us. Our other cats are far more independent compared to her and she follows us around everywhere we go...unless she is asleep.

We'd like to know if she is a even a cross breed to make sure we do the best for her and to be able to understand her behaviour more.

**Antonia** · 31st August 2010, 06:14 PM

I think she looks absolutely lovely. As for the breed - I am far from an expert. But personally I think the body shape, face and ears are more like a Siberian than an MC. The behaviour of Siberians is said to be quite similar to that of Coons: sociable, almost dog-like, etc.

It would be interesting to hear what the breeders on this forum think.

That said, I think you are very lucky to have found such a cutie!

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 31st August 2010, 06:47 PM

Welcome to the forum, Chester.

I'd agree with Antonia - lots of MC characteristics, less physical ones. Siberians's and Norweigan Forest Cats are very similar to MC's and the three are often compared to each other.

She sounds like a darling to have around, and she looks like she'd be lovely to cosy up against in the cold - she was lucky you guys found her.

**Chester** · 31st August 2010, 07:40 PM

Thanks - she is an absolutely gorgeous cat to have around. She's so loving and affectionate to everyone including our 9 year old cats. She's settled in so well you wouldn't believe she's had such a rough start to her life. We're so glad she came into our garden and made herself comfortable in our shed - we feel really lucky to have her!

Interesting that she may even have some Siberian or Norwegian in her instead. I'll have a look online and do some more research but would be good if some breeders could give us some feedback too.

I can take some more pictures if it helps anyone....

**jckkerrison** · 31st August 2010, 08:58 PM

Thanks for posting,she is a little stunner,I would say she is a bit too stocky for a MC but would agree that if there is a pedigree in there it could point towards the siberian,that is the breed I was leaning towards when I was waiting for my fourth MC to come along from a breeder friend & after a few years it didn't seem as if it was going to happen so at a show I went & done research on a sibby,decided that was what we would go for but as so often happens a couple of weeks later my friend phoned to say the boy I had waited so long for had arrived,so no siberian....
It sure sounds as if you are all winners no matter about her breeding,keep us posted.

**Antonia** · 31st August 2010, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Chester

I can take some more pictures if it helps anyone....

Pleeeezzz more pics! Never mind to determine the breed... but just because she's so drool-over-able.

debbie560 · 1st September 2010, 08:30 AM

She is a very beautiful kitty.... if she was a bi colour colour pointed or mitted I would say in the second photos she has the look also of a Ragdoll... she is stunning and she has obviously found a forever home...

**Chester** · 1st September 2010, 06:18 PM

I think we're of the conclusion that she's a fluff bag. She's definitely got characteristics of both Maine Coon and Siberian breeds so it's good to be able to read up on their behaviour and helps us understand her a bit more.
She's such a good girl considering she's only just come into a proper home. You're right, she is an absolute cutie and she's definitely got a forever home!
We have established that she likes to play catch, chase the laser light and chewing our stuff but are there any other types of toys/games that the breed of cat particular likes or thrives on?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for a brand of food in the UK which suits them best?