Maine Coons are one of the vital in style cat breeds proper now. This discerning kitty is a family-friendly, chatty, and playful addition to any household. After all, its diverse Maine Coon colours and patterns are additionally a giant draw.
The fantastic Maine Coon is understood for being a fantastically massive semi-long haired cat with 80 coat colour variations. I can discuss for ages in regards to the totally different patterns and colours yow will discover. However at about 80 varieties, that might run a bit lengthy.
So, what are the most well-liked colours and patterns yow will discover on this loveable breed? Let’s have a look at how we classify these, and what it’s best to search for in Maine Coon colours.
Maine Coon Colours: Origin of the Breed
First, it’s useful to know that Maine Coons are regarded as descended from Norwegian Forest Cats. If that is true, this accounts for his or her wealthy, lush coat, and measurement.
They’re now named after the state of Maine within the USA. That is the place they settled and originated from so far as fashionable breeders are involved.
However past that supposition, little appears to be identified (or a minimum of confirmed) in regards to the cat’s origin past hypothesis. Some imagine they’re half angora, half tabby. A Maine Coon’s unique personality definitely doesn’t give a lot away on this regard.
As a result of there appears to be no generally accepted heritage story, the broad vary of colours and patterns are all thought-about official concerning Maine Coons. In different phrases, there isn’t a breed normal for colours.
Nonetheless, this breed occurs to be the most important of the domesticated cats – from nostril to tail, they arrive in at about 39.37 inches lengthy (1 meter).
In addition they boast the title of the oldest pure breed in North America. Due to their long-standing historical past and far-reaching reputation, they’re referred to as ‘America’s Cat’.
Widespread Maine Coon Colour Patterns
There are two methods to explain a cat’s coloring: colours and patterns. Colour refers back to the precise colour, whereas sample refers to how these colours show.
Take into consideration patterns referring to the shapes of the colour segments of a cat’s coat. In cats, we acknowledge a number of patterns. Listed here are the everyday patterns and colours of Maine Coon cats, all of that are pretty frequent.
1. Shaded Colour
Shaded often signifies a single strong colour however with various levels of depth in some sections of the physique. This will occur with nearly any Maine Coon coat colour, and can often have the chest will probably be lighter and even appear to fade to white whereas the again has a burst of colour.
2. Smoke Colour
Smoke is an interesting function. And whereas this isn’t distinctive to this breed, it’s a in style Maine Coon characteristic.
This colour variation sees the cat’s outer fur as a strong colour. However if you transfer the fur apart, it’s possible you’ll discover that hair nearer to the pores and skin (the undercoat) seems lighter. So, from a distance, the cat is a strong colour, however its “roots,” so to talk, are extra diluted.
This may be not simple to identify as a kitten however must be extra distinguished because the cat grows into maturity.
3. Stable Colour
Because it implies, solids are a single however uniform colour all through the complete coat. Within the case of a strong, the tail and paws may also current the one colour of the physique. For this breed, frequent colours are often pink, black, brown, lotions, and blue.
Nonetheless, the most typical strong coat colour for this cat breed is jet black. For this breed, it implies that their paw pads and nostril are additionally black. Nonetheless, gentle colours like white or cream will see this breed have pink paw pads.
In lots of circumstances, informal observers might mistake smokes for solids as a result of Maine Coon’s lengthy hair. It does a wonderful job of hiding the internal coat’s different colour.
4. Tabby Sample
The tabby might be the most typical sample present in Maine Coons. Tabbies have stripes, swirls or patches on their coats or undercoats. These markings will be paired with any of the frequent tabby-related colours.
There are three forms of tabbies which can be typically acknowledged: the basic, mackerel, and patched.
Traditional
That is the most typical tabby sample. It presents itself as broad swirls throughout the physique. A attribute mark these basic tabby sample cats could have is the “M” marking on their brow. They’ll even have vertical traces operating throughout the again of their heads main into their shoulders.
Mackerel
When you’ve ever seen a mackerel fish, you may most likely think about what this sample will appear to be. Just like the fish, mackerel Maine Coon patterns transfer vertically from the backbone to the stomach.
Sometimes, these markings are dense and taper out to thinner factors because it strikes to the abdomen. On the similar time, the traces on the neck, legs, and tail will wrap round fully. And, in fact, these cats may also have the attribute “M” marking on their brow.
Patched or Ticked
Generally, it’s possible you’ll even encounter a tabby that appears peppered within the sample. That is known as a ticked sample, however it isn’t acknowledged as an official sample.
This sample is a little more delicate than the earlier two patterns. As an alternative of the entire coat being crammed with formed swirls, these are solely targeting the dorsal crest, face, and legs. Which means it’s barely seen from above.
Because the identify suggests, the coat is simply ticked with varied colours, whereas the stomach or underside could have a lighter colour.
5. Tabby with White
The “TWW” is similar because the tabby in some ways, with its patterns and stripes. The one distinction is that they have an inclination to have white paws and chests. These tabby colours can vary from pink, brown, and silver.
6. Tortoise Shell Sample
“Torties” are coat colours with two or extra hues. These are typically darkish or black with heavy patches of pink and cream. They’re famend for his or her outstanding patterns and are quite enticing with seemingly random streaks of colour.
When you see a Maine Coon cat with a tortoiseshell coat, they’re nearly at all times feminine. It’s uncommon to see male tortoiseshells. And, should you do, they’re often sterile.
The Most Widespread Maine Coon Colours
The Cat Fanciers’ Association has acknowledged an unbelievable 80 official Maine Coon cat colours and patterns. Listed here are a number of the Maine designations:
1. Black Coat
Black Maine Coon cats aren’t at all times what they appear. Whereas a strong black is gorgeous, many are, the truth is, smoky blacks. It’s laborious to inform with out getting up shut and checking the undercoat. That stated, strong black Maine Coon cats are extremely stunning, full with black noses and lips.
2. Black and White Coat
In some cats, we aptly name this colour mixture a “tuxedo” sample. This cat is predominantly black, with a white part extending from the nostril and to the chest. The paws may be white.
That is additionally a bi-color sample as a result of it’s simply two colours. However why would you say that when you may confer with them with the cutest identify as an alternative?
3. Blue Coat
Whereas it could be completely stunning to have a blue cat, “blue” in cats often refers to a blue-gray sheen. Extra in style “blue” breeds embody Russian Blues, British Shorthairs, and Chartreuxs.
Due to their thick coats, you may spot shades of blue highlights and silver in these stunning cats. That stated, blue Maine Coon cats are usually of a strong sample, though a white chest isn’t unusual.
4. Blue-Grey Coat
This coat colour is sort of much like blue. In addition to the blue highlights or sheen, the grey tends to fade the shining silver barely. The ears are additionally extra generally grey or black.
This coat colour will be strong or a part of a sample with varied colours. So, it is not uncommon to see this coat colour in between a tabby or tortie sample.
5. Brown Coat
Brown is likely one of the most typical colours for this breed and Maine Coon Ragdoll mixes. This colour is definitely discovered with patterns or with out. Nonetheless, if they’re patterned, they’ll probably be tortie or tabby patterns. The preferred coat colour is the brown smokey variant with a white chest.
Whereas they’re one of many extra frequent coat colours, the brown Maine Coon cat is nonetheless as stunning as the remainder of their species.
6. Cream Coat
Lotions might seem white at a really fast first look. However they’re barely shaded in a really gentle brownish shade.
Cream Maine Coons cats can both be strong or patterned. Their noses and paw pads are often pink.
Stable cream cats will also be known as “full cream” cats. Now you recognize that’s not a reference to their dietary habits.
Essentially the most well-known cream Maine Coon is the Cream Cameo Tabby. This Maine Coon has shades of silver and blue, together with the quite beautiful cream.
7. Crimson Coat
Some say the pink or orange Maine Coon cats are essentially the most strikingly stunning.
Their orange (ginger, should you favor) hue provides them a glance that stands out, particularly with their longish hair. Crimson or orange is essentially the most well-known colour for Maine Coon cats.
Vivid golden eyes and pink noses are added for optimum impact.
Nonetheless, these coat colours are nearly at all times patterned. It is because a strong pink coat is extraordinarily uncommon for this cat breed. So uncommon that it’s unlikely that you just’ll see a feminine pink Maine Coon in your lifetime.
And a facet notice: an interesting fact about red Maine Coons is that as a result of a genetic anomaly, about 90% of pink Maine Coons are male.
8. Silver Coat
A silver coat is barely totally different from blue or grey colours. Nonetheless, silver is considerably much less frequent variation.
What makes silver totally different is that this coat has a shiny grey or metallic hue. Nonetheless, it’s not unusual to see a couple of gold or yellow hints in between. It has and is usually a mixture of two colours, making it extra akin to a smoky one.
Together with a strong pink coat, this coat colour is sort of uncommon to seek out.
9. White Coat
A rare specimen if yow will discover one. A strong white Maine Coon would be the discuss of the dinner desk. It is because, curiously, the white colour can’t be handed on simply, genetically talking.
White Maine coon cats might show barely pink tufts on the finish of their ears. Their noses and paw pads may also be pink.
White isn’t technically a colour – solely 5% of all cats are “white”. The white component is a masking gene. In a dad or mum cat, the gene might masks its true colour. So, a white Maine Coon kitten will solely be born if a minimum of one of many mother and father is white and if the masking gene carries over to the offspring intact.
Whereas not a blue-eyed breed, due to the Maine Coon’s white colour, they’re extra more likely to have blue eyes.
Be aware: In case you have a blue-eyed white cat, take them for normal vet check-ups as a result of they’ve a better probability of changing into deaf. Regardless of this, a real strong white Maine Coon is extremely wanted and can value a good quantity from a breeder.
Rarer Maine Coon Cat Colours & Hybridization
There are some variations of Maine Coon coloring which can be tougher to seek out. In some methods, this makes these extra astounding.
As talked about, white Maine Coons aren’t very simple to return by, and never simple to breed, if in any respect. True Orange Maine Coons are a uncommon breed colour, not like orange cats with patterns or colour mixtures. So that you’re extra more likely to discover orange smokies or tabbies than a strong colour.
Some breeders might supply hybridized coloring. These are all thought-about acceptable by breeders’ associations. Crimson Smoke, Cream Cameo, and Calico Maine Coon Cats are all colour variations you could now discover.
Some patterns aren’t acknowledged, nevertheless. One instance is the ticked sample I discussed earlier than, which will be seen as a peppered impact on a tabby.
Steadily Requested Questions on Maine Coon Colours and Patterns
Whereas this information is useful, it’s lengthy. So to save lots of you a while, these are essentially the most often requested questions requested concerning Maine coon sorts, colours, and patterns.
1. What’s the Rarest Maine Coon Colour?
There may be some debate on-line about what the rarest Maine Coon colour is. To date, i is a tie between silver and a real strong pink.
Nonetheless, plainly a strong pink seems to be the rarest. This colour can also be generally known as gold. Sure, due to the colour, but in addition presumably due to its excessive worth due to how uncommon it’s.
Whereas ginger cats aren’t unusual, a Maine Coon with one strong shade of pink with none patterns is. It is because this coat colour can solely be carried over by a uncommon inhibitor gene.
2. What’s the Most Widespread Colour of a Maine Coon Cat?
As talked about earlier than, there are 80 totally different colours of Maine Coons. However the most typical colours are brown tabby, black, cream, blue, and white.
3. What are the Patterns on Maine Coons?
Whereas there are a lot of colour variations, the principle patterns yow will discover on a Maine Coon are strong, smoke, tortie, and tabby.
4. What’s the Most Stunning Colour in Maine Coon?
After all, that is subjective. However, since it’s so uncommon, many individuals agree {that a} golden or strong pink Maine Coon is essentially the most stunning.
Last Ideas on Maine Coon Colours
As you may see, the choices for Maine Coon colours are nearly limitless. Whether or not you get an American or European Maine Coon, with so many variations of patterns and colours, there’s a kitty on the market that can fit your visible tastes.
Maine Coons hyper-friendly, and chatty nature of the breed can also be positive to endear to everybody within the dwelling immediately.
Maine Coons – and cats basically – are such wonderful creatures. It’s laborious to not fall a little bit bit in love with each single one you see.
Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud dad or mum of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is keen about understanding cats and totally different cat breeds.
