Stroking a cat has been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure and add to humans’ longevity.  This issue’s cats have great ‘stroke-ability’, and are known not just for their giant size, but also their luxurious coats and love for their human families.  The Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat, and Siberian are breeds that were developed in the cold northern climates of the upper reaches of the northeast United States, Norway, and Russia.   Lee Harper and Joyce L. White,  who wrote The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cats, say the similarities between these breeds are due to “convergent evolution—the shaping of unrelated species by similar environments, selecting for similar characteristics and resulting in similar animals.”

The Maine coon can weigh from 14 to18 pounds, though it is not uncommon for them to top 20 pounds or more.

Appearance:  James R. Richards, DVM’s Complete Guide to Cats describes these giants as “broad chested and muscular” with a “regal neck ruff,” a “plumed tail,” and “tufts” of hair on their feet and ears.  The Maine coon’s traditional color is brown tabby, but Cat Fancy’s Maine coon edition lists no less than 78 variations of colors.  The only non-acceptable colors for this breed are the chocolate, lavender, or Siamese points, which points to hybridization with Siamese, Himalayan, or Abyssinian breeds.

Profile:  Every source consulted calls Maine coons “gentle giants” who love other cats, dogs, and people.  They also tout them as excellent mousers.  Our own Maine coon mix definitely fits this bill.  Smokey is very sociable with our other pets, and after checking out strangers, will allow them to pet him and love on him.  He is our number one mouser, and during cold snaps when the mice try to come in, he is right there ready to do his job.  Maine coons are also known to be lap cats, which can be uncomfortable given their weight.  Their coat can be a trial and easily develops mats if not properly groomed. Smokey gets a twice-yearly lion cut to keep him sleek.

History: The Maine coon edition of Cat Fancy, gives several possible origins of the Maine coon.  Legend says a fluffy cat from the state of Maine became enamored with a raccoon, resulting in the coat and size of today’s Maine coon and their name.  Another legend has the same fluffy cat mating with a local lynx, resulting in the wild cat look.  A third legend involves Marie Antoinette loading up a boat with all her prized possessions, including six of her exotic long-haired cats before her execution in hopes of escape.   She did not survive, but her boat supposedly still sailed and landed on the coast of Maine.  No one knows for sure, but it was most likely an American shorthair that mated with a long-haired cat that escaped from a Viking ship.  

The Norwegian forest cat can be 8-10 pounds, which is not quite as large as the Maine coon but still falls into the medium to large category for cats.

Appearance: Richards describes these cats as “sturdy and boxy” with “longer back legs than front” and with the same “tufts” of hair between their toes and on their ears.  The same color variations apply to the Norwegian forest cats as did for the Maine coon with the same exceptions to the chocolate, lavender or Siamese highlights.  The Norwegian forest cat has a similar dense, water-resistant coat as the Maine coon; however, they can shed their entire coats come warmer months, leading some to think their owners might have two different cats.

Profile: These cats are said to be more of the gentle giant type.  Richards describes them as being energetic and friendly.  They also love to climb and supposedly fish. Norwegian forest cats demand love and attention from their families, and would thrive in a busy household. 

History: With origins in Norse mythology, the Norwegian forest cat is “not the descendent of any wildcat species.  These are the cats that explored the world with the Vikings, protecting their grain stores on land and sea,“ according to Harper and White.  Possible precursors of these cats could be Angoras and Scottish wildcats or the Siberian and Turkish Angora.  The development of the Norwegian forest cats definitely paralleled that of long-haired breeds in other places because, Richards points out, “In cold, wet environments, cats with woolly undercoats and long, water-repellent outer-coats survived by adapting well to harsh climates”. 

Siberians can weigh 15-20 pounds, which is right up there with the Maine coon.

Appearance:  “Siberians are large cats that give the appearance of strength and power,” says Richards.   Their “rounded body shape” differentiates them from the Maines and Norwegians.  Their undercoat is short and dense with a moderate outer-coat.  The same rules apply for the Siberian in terms of coat colors and exceptions.

Profile:  The Siberians are “doglike in temperament,” according to Harper and White.  They are “exceptionally intelligent and very quick learners”.  As affectionate as the Maines and the Norwegians, the Siberians greet their owners with a “triple purr and a chirping sound”.  Good with children and other pets, the Siberian is also fond of and fascinated by water.

History:  The Siberian is the national cat of Russia and can be found in Russian paintings and writings that are hundreds of years old.  Harper and White also say that “oral tradition suggests that the Siberian” migrated towards animal herders, and their ability to bond with humans became a “genetically ingrained survival trait, cushioning them from the harsh winter climate”.  Strangely, it was against the law to own or feed pets in Russia, so Siberians survived by taking refuge in monasteries.   Introduced to America in 1990, the Siberians are relatively rare outside of Russia.

This story was researched from the following:
The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cats by Lee Harper and Joyce L. White
ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats James R. Richards, DVM.
Cat Fancy:Popular Cats Series Maine Coons