Maine Coon: 'The Gentle Giants'

Trish Lynn and Thom Donitz with friends.

JOLT staff photo

Recently, Thom was visiting with his friend Alex and their conversation turned toward their furry companions.  

While Alex regaled Thom with his latest stories of his faithful Chihuahua to which Thom told him what it is like to have his two boys chasing each other around their (actually Thom’s) house. 

“Imagine 35 pounds of cats running everywhere and over everything” said Thom, to which Alex broke out in a Cheshire cat grin and responded, “You have a Maine Coon don’t you!” 

“How did you know?” asked Thom to which Alex replied that before his beloved Chihuahua he had owned three Maine Coons at various times. 

The Maine Coon. One of the oldest natural breeds in North America, it originated in the state of Maine where it became the official state cat in 1985.  

The breed was popular in cat shows in the late 19th century, but it fell briefly out of favor in the early 20th century with the advent of other long-haired breeds, which led to the false declaration that the breed had become extinct in 1950. 

 It was only after the breed was accepted by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1975, and approved for championship status the following year, that the Maine Coon saw its glory restored with championship victories and a renewed rise in popularity. Today, it is the second most popular pedigree cat in the world. 

While similar in some respects to the Norwegian Forest or Siberian cats, they are actually related to neither dispelling the myth that they were brought over here by Vikings.  

Maine Coons are now thought to have been brought here by Puritan settlers in the 1600s to 1700s with their genes most closely found in cats living in the United Kingdom. Any similarities to Norwegian Forest or Siberian cats are due to all three breeds evolving under the same harsh climates and conditions. 

Considered to be the largest of the domestic breeds, they are known as “The Gentle Giants” for their easy-going nature along with being very friendly, intelligent and playful, which makes them the perfect companion for anyone wanting to share their home with them.  

Possessing an almost dog-like quality, they will follow you around the house and will actually respond to some training and commands. 

Maine Coons are very dignified with a beautiful coat and a muscular build with a large chest. A fully grown male can typically weigh anywhere from 18 to 22 pounds, while a female will tip the scale at a petite 12 to 15 pounds.  

Maine Coons do not usually reach their full physical maturity size until they are 3 to 5 years old, as opposed to most breeds of cats who reach theirs within a year. 

You would think that with all that hair, that a Maine Coon would be a very high maintenance cat, but the opposite is true. Other than weekly grooming’s (sometimes biweekly) to remove any knots or matts in his fur, along with a yearly “lion’s cut” at his favorite professional groomer, this breed is one of the easiest to take care of.  

They are fun, playful, highly intelligent along with being very inquisitive and get along great with other cats and dogs. A special distinction of this breed is how much they love their family and enjoy human company. 

The Largest Maine Coon on record (the years 2010 to 2015) was from Nevada and named “Stewie,” whose full name was “Mymains Stewart Gilligan” and measured 48.5 inches from nose to tail with his tail alone measuring 16.34 inches.  

He weighed 34.6 pounds. Stewie was a certified therapy animal who would visit senior centers. He was very sociable, loved meeting people and touched many lives. Even after his passing in 2013, he held on to his title of largest for two more years. 

Currently, the reigning champion for “Biggest” title is from Italy, named “Barivel” (meaning clown or joker) and measures 47.2 inches, who took the title from “Ludo” of the United Kingdom who was only 46.6 inches. 

Thom’s “Oscar” (named after the flamboyant mayor of Las Vegas Oscar Goodman) only tips the scales at 18.5 pounds. While his orange tabby little brother “Pekan” moves the needle to a respectable 16.5 pounds.  

Paws for thoughts 

The Guiness World Book of Records of “Oldest Lived Maine Coon” goes to Creme Puff (1967-2005), who lived to the age of 38. She enjoyed bacon, eggs and asparagus every morning along with an eye dropper of red wine every other day. 

Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn are neighbors and close friends who share their love of animals and wildlife. Trish and Thom are residents of Tumwater. Contact them at  pets@theJOLTnews.com.