The mighty Maine Coon developed more than a century ago (perhaps as early as the 1600s) in the wilderness of Maine; in fact, they are the official state cat of Maine. The Maine Coon cat probably came from an encounter between a domesticated American Shorthair cat and a long-haired cat from overseas. They adapted to the cold winters and survived to become the lovable cats we know today.
When the Maine Coon cat was established in the late 1800s, they soon became useful as working cats that kept rats and mice out of barns. These cats are large and often polydactyl, making them impressive hunters. Of course, there was the occasional exception: A tabby Maine Coon named Cosey won “Best Cat” at New York’s Madison Square Garden’s 1895 cat show. Today, Maine Coons are one of the most popular cat breeds on the planet. image courtesy by: litter-robot.com