Short history:

This cat is found in North-America, more specifically in the region of Maine. There are several legends concerning the origin of this beautiful mouser. One tells of the joining of a raccoon with a semi-wild cat, which supposedly resulted in the Maine Coon (this is however biologically impossible ;)). It is also thought that the name of the animal might be connected to this story. This myth was also bolstered by the Maine Coon’s bushy tale and raccoon-like tabby look, the most common color for this feline. Another popular theory is that the Maine sprang from the six pet cats which Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution.

Most breeders today believe that the cat is a mix of the common cat with a longhaired breed brought from overseas, such as the Angora or a longhaired cat breed brought by the Vikings when they visited America. Interestingly, the breed closest to the Maine Coon is the Norwegian Forest Cat which, although geographically distant, evolved in much the same climate, and lends credence to the theory that some of the cats responsible for developing the Maine Coon were brought over by the Vikings.
Appearance:

These magnificent creatures are the giants of the cat world. They weigh up to 12 kg and are often more than one meter long. They are most commonly found in a tabby color although there are no restrictions on colors. Their fur has guard hairs with an incredibly soft undercoat underneath which protects them from the harsh environment. They have the most beautiful ruff which resembles the mane of a lion. Their fur overall looks shaggy, being uneven in length. They also have ‘socks’ on their feet made out of fur. Speaking of feet, they can be polydactyl, which means they can have several extra toes on their feet. The oversized and often lynx-like ears are also a typical feature of the Maine Coon. Their coat does not need a lot of grooming, though once or twice a week is definitely beneficial to keep their fur healthy.

They look a lot like the Siberian cat and Norwegian Forest cat. It is often thought that since the cats face similar circumstances in their indigenous cold, harsh environment, this caused them to evolve in mostly the same way.
The only differences seem to be limited to geometrical stuff: Norwegian Forest Cats are said to be triangular in theme, Siberian cats are said to be a bundle of curves and circles and our Maine Coon is described as long and rectangular. They also seem to have similar temperaments.

Temperament:

They are very bright and playful. One of their favorite games is fetch. Their intelligence together with their easy-going nature makes them very suitable for training such as walking on a leash or learning how to play fetch and other games. They are also very people-oriented. It is said they do not like to eat alone, preferring company from their favorite humans or cats. They tend to curl their front paw around their prey, making it very easy for them to learn how to turn on water faucets, eat from their paws instead of their bowls and open cabinet doors. They are fascinated by water and will often dip their ‘prey’ in it, or chase water drops falling from the faucet. They take a while to mature and are only fully adult somewhere between 3 and 5 years of age. This also explains why they stay playful throughout most of their life.

They have a very sweet and high trilling meow, something you would not expect from a cat that size. Of course, that’s only when they actually talk. They are typically rather quiet, only meowing when there’s a definite need. A bored Maine Coon will, however, display mischievous behavior by deliberately knocking things over or tossing things of cabinets. They love to follow their owner around to observe and ‘help’ them with their chores, without being in your face or pushy. Though crazy about their human friends, they are not generally lap cats, preferring instead to lie next to you. This is possibly due to their size, which can make it quite challenging to get comfortable on a lap. They love clowning around and adapt easily to a new situation without too much stress.

So if you are looking for an easy-going, fun-loving, affectionate and playful gentle giant, the Maine Coon might just be right for you