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Blue Maine Coon: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)

Ed Malaker

By Ed Malaker

blue maine coon standing in grass

The Blue Maine Coon is an American native cat breed from the state of Maine. It’s one of the largest cat breeds in the world and also one of the friendliest. It has long fur, and its smokey blue color gives it a majestic appearance that many people like best of all the Maine Coon varieties. If you are thinking about getting a Blue Maine Coon for your home but would like to learn more about it before you purchase one, keep reading as we discuss its origins, how it became so popular, and many other interesting facts to help you make an informed purchase.hepper cat paw divider

The Earliest Records of the Blue Maine Coon in History

Most breeders agree that the Maine Coon, including the blue variety, is one of the oldest cats native to the United States. Unfortunately, there are no records of its exact origins, but it’s likely a close relative of the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Siberian. It was a popular breed at cat shows during the 1800s but became nearly extinct at the turn of the century when other, more favorable cat breeds came to America. Luckily, it slowly made a comeback, and today it is one of the most popular cats in America.

How Blue Maine Coons Gained Popularity

The Blue Maine Coon gained popularity because of its large size and long fluffy fur, giving it the appearance of a large teddy bear. It was originally popular at cat shows and as a house pet during the 1800s before the influx of other cat breeds like the Angora and Persian cats that pushed the Maine Coon into the background for a while. However, due to its extreme popularity with children and unusually friendly personality, it regained its status as a well-loved cat breed. Today it’s one of the most popular breeds in America and the rest of the world, not to mention one of the biggest!

blue maine coon on grass
Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock

Formal Recognition of the Blue Maine Coon

The American Cat Fanciers’ Association recognizes the Maine Coon breed and accepts the blue color. They also accept many other colors except for chocolate, lilac, and the color point pattern. In 1968, six breeders founded the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association, which grew to hold more than 1,000 fanciers and 200 breeders. Since 1980, all major cat registries recognize the Maine Coon.

Top 10 Unique Facts About the Blue Maine Coon

blue maine coon
Image Credit: Basil Smith, Pixabay
  • Many owners refer to the Maine Coon breed as a gentle giant.
  • A Maine Coon cat named Stewy holds the Guinness World Record for the longest cat at 48.5 inches, which is more than 4 feet.
  • As you may have guessed, the Maine Coon is native to the American state of Maine.
  • Some rumors suggest that Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France in the 1700s, is responsible for the creation of the Maine Coon. Trying to escape execution, she put all of her personal belongings, including six Turkish Angora cats, on a ship sailing for the Americas. Though she was imprisoned before she could board the ship, her cats may have come to America and bred with the local wildcats to create the Maine Coon.
  • A Maine Coon named Cosey was the winner of the first-ever cat show in 1895.
  • The Maine Coon is the official state cat of Maine.
  • The Maine Coon has a thick coat of fur to protect it from freezing temperatures, and it can handle lower temperatures than most other cat breeds. It can even curl its tail over its face and shoulders to stay warm.
  • The Maine Coon is second only to the relatively modern Savannah cat in size.
  • Despite its large size, the Maine Coon is extremely healthy, with most living more than 13 years.
  • Only solid Blue Maine Coons have a striking blue color. Bi-color cats have a similar grey color instead.

Does the Blue Maine Coon Make a Good Pet?

The Blue Maine Coon, along with all other color varieties, will make a great pet for one person or an entire family. Most owners describe them as gentle giants that don’t get aggressive toward other people or pets. The Blue Maine Coon usually finds a perch near its human companions so it can watch you from a distance, but it will also sit on your lap or next to you on a couch. Its calm temperament makes it an ideal choice for children who will see it as a large cuddly teddy bear. It also gets along well with other cats and even most dogs, especially with plenty of socialization while it’s still a kitten.

blue maine coon close up
Image Credit: Pixabay

Final Thoughts

The Blue Maine Coon is a majestic cat that will quickly become the king or queen of any household. The smokey blue color somehow makes it seem wiser, and it’s less common than most of the other colors, so your cat will stand out and attract more attention. We hope you have enjoyed our look into these wonderful cats and found the answers you needed. If we have convinced you to get one, please share this guide to the facts, origin, and history of the Blue Main Coon on Facebook and Twitter.

We have lots more information on Maine Coons, including the grey, black, orange, and tuxedo variety!

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Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock

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