Is my new kitten a maine coon?

**Ozmosis** · 26th November 2011, 03:46 AM

I was interested in adopting a maine coon and found this 6 month old kitten at an animal shelter. He appears to have all the personality traits (as well as looks) as a maine coon, but they listed him as a "Domestic Short Hair". Regardless, this kitten is in its new home and we love him. Hope this pic helps! I see people viewing this but no one is giving me an answer.

Is my new kitten a maine coon?-img_1647.jpg

**MickB** · 26th November 2011, 05:53 AM

I think people aren't replying becuase it's pretty hard to tell, but from the shape of his face I would say he looks more like a Norwegian Forest cat (cross?)

Whatever he is, he looks gorgeous and if he has Coony traits then you are in for a lifetime of fun with the little guy. Enjoy!!!

**arthurwhitewhisker** · 26th November 2011, 08:38 AM

Hi
From your photo he doesnt look like he has coonie tips on his ears so dont think he is a pure coonie, and at 6 months he shouldnt be confused with a short hair as they usually have some longer fur by then, some look like small yeti's. Sorry. If you have fallen in love with him that is more important than his breed :o)

**Hema Baby** · 26th November 2011, 09:09 AM

very hard to define the breed from this photo..I think may be after 6 months, it will be possible. But if he has the cony traits u will find your pet the loveliest of all, for sure..but if you love him now it is more important than the breed..some cats do love and obey their masters than anything else even if they r not coons..i have a Bengal..that y i am sure..he does not leave me to visit the neighbouring house.he comes in search of me there..

Let us hope urs is a coon..n it will be proved in the nearby future..

Another idea..y dont u consult another vet?

**candes** · 26th November 2011, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by arthurwhitewhisker

Hi
From your photo he doesnt look like he has coonie tips on his ears so dont think he is a pure coonie, and at 6 months he shouldnt be confused with a short hair as they usually have some longer fur by then, some look like small yeti's. Sorry. If you have fallen in love with him that is more important than his breed :o)

Here is some info I thought you may find interesting. Actually not all MC have noticeable tips. Teddy Bearz's are miniscle, if you can count that. And back when I had a MC in the 70's he had no ear tips either. If you look back at the historical MC gallery, surprise, no ear tips. Maine Coon Ancestors - An archive of Maine Coon breeding cats and their breeders.

And I think MickB is correct. That med hair cat is definately at least part Norwegian Forest cat. More rare than a Maine Coon. The eyes are too round for a MC. And the facial features match up too. There could be some MC in there also. But it is difficult to tell since there are some similarities between the 2 breeds. I feel the MC was a descendant from the Norweigian Forest cat. Introduced in Maine by the vikings and mingled with Maines indigenous cats.

Your cat definately is not a straight out domestic. I am not saying there isn't any domestic there since I can't see the whole cat. And there are no papers involved. A very beautiful cat no matter what it is or is not.

**jckkerrison** · 26th November 2011, 02:29 PM

Agree with Candes the lack of ear tips means nothing my Bruce has zero lynx tips & the first maine coon that came into the country by a breeder who lived in our village had small ears as well as no lynx's to talk about so can't go by that.His coat could be MC's,people tend to think if they have long hair then there has to be some MC in there somewhere but MC's are classed as semi long haired,some have flowing coats & some look like domestic SH so also not an easy way to tell,the easiest really is weight,if he has NF or MC in him then he will be a lot heavier than the normal cat at that age & also the traits.He looks a super cat whatever he is so if your heart has said yes then he is the cat for you never mind the breeding but no way would I have classed him SH anyway his coat already looks as long as Shimbas. More pictures & updates as he settles in please....x

**candes** · 26th November 2011, 05:19 PM

Normally yes the weight could definately be a big indicator. But rescues could be stunted from malnutrician. Which could also affect body proportions. Once that happens, you may never really know for certain.

But the front only shot is definately not enough to tell. I was at Petco the other week, and they had rescues on display. I saw a huge white male semi longhair with a huge square face. Nice big ears. Immediately I said this boy may have some MC in him. Looked at the tail and feet etc... Nope, not a chance. Or perhaps a very distant relative. Especially since he was from our area.

After the ear tip discussion I though you may want to see what a MC really looks like. Ready for a shock? This is a newer foundation cat that I picked from my memories of what MC used to really look like. And you can tell that he was allowed to hang outside as much as he wanted. This is mostly what you found before the new standards were engineered. I miss the gentile but rough and tough looking MC of the past. But still had a sweet look that could melt butter.

Is my new kitten a maine coon?-foundation.jpg

**cooncatbob** · 26th November 2011, 05:33 PM

Here's a site that list the subtle differences between the MCC, the NFC and the Siberian.
Main differences is the NFC and Siberian have longer rear legs giving them a raise rump and MCC has the longest tail in proportion to it's body.
All 3 are wonderful cats with legions of fans and more similarities then difference.
Some say they share a common ancestor and others say a similar climate created cats with similar traits.
Regardless you have handsome kitty and I hope you have many years of enjoyment together.
Solacefarm Siberian Cat Library - Differences between the Siberian Cat, Norwegian Forest Cat and Maine Coon

**Ozmosis** · 26th November 2011, 09:22 PM

Is my new kitten a maine coon?-img_1677.jpg

Is my new kitten a maine coon?-img_1658.jpg

Thank you for all the replies.

Here are some more photos of Oz. We will keep posting updates on how he is doing in his new home. We will be posting a photo of his tail soon. His tail length goes to his shoulder blades and the color is gray on top and solid white on bottom. Once again thanks for everyone that has posted. We'll be doing more research now and keeping in touch.

**MickB** · 26th November 2011, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by candes

After the ear tip discussion I though you may want to see what a MC really looks like. Ready for a shock? This is a newer foundation cat that I picked from my memories of what MC used to really look like. And you can tell that he was allowed to hang outside as much as he wanted. This is mostly what you found before the new standards were engineered. I miss the gentile but rough and tough looking MC of the past. But still had a sweet look that could melt butter.

I couldn't agree more, here are some photos of our Retired Champion Stud boy "Jools"

Is my new kitten a maine coon?-jools_snow1.jpg

Is my new kitten a maine coon?-jools_snow2.jpg

To me he is the perfect example of the original Maine Coon, and he has hardly any Lynx tips to speak of!

Oh and a few of his Great Grandparents and Great, Great grandparents were Charmalot and Coonloc cats from over there in the good ole US of A.