Do black Maine Coons make good pets? How common are black Maine Coons? How adorable are black Maine Coon Kittens? (The answer is VERY). This guide covers all you need to know about the mysterious and popular Maine Coon colouring.
The Black Maine Coon – Everything you need to know
While all Maine coon cats are beautiful, none come as majestic and royal as the stunning black Maine Coon.
According to Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, at present there are four current ‘official’ black colourings:
- Solid Black
- Bi-colour
- Shaded and Smoke
- Shaded or Smoke with white
The main difference between a solid black and a smoke black Maine Coon lies in their undercoats. A solid black will have the colour fur throughout, however, a smoke will have a lighter colour fur in their undercoat. With all colourings, they seem to appear/develop more as the kitten grows.
The fur of a Maine Coon will always be medium to long in length and requires a lot of grooming, therefore you should take this into consideration when deciding if this breed is right for you.
Find the best brushes for long-haired cats.
Alongside their magnificent coat, they will also have a striking copper/golden eye colouring or at times emerald green with leather black noses.
How big do Maine Coon cats grow?
Typically, a fully grown Maine Coon cat will be between 7-10kg, with males being bigger than females – making them one of the largest cat breeds!
Looking at them lengthways, from nose to tail at full growth they can be up to one metre long!
To accommodate their giant size you will need to purchase a specially designed cat tree for large cats.
Are black Maine Coons’ rare?
Like grey Maine Coons, black Maine Coons are one of the more popular and frequently seen colours. It is the colour variation of Ginger Maine coons that are the rarest.
As colouring is all down to breeding, many breeders will tend to breed ‘certain colours’ and will become known as reputable breeders for that particular colour of Maine Coon.
Always be sure to research cat breeders and receive recommendations instead of simply buying a cat from anyone. Reputable and respected breeders will always allow you to see the kittens with their mum and will be able to trace the cat’s family line.
Find out Maine Coon Costs to expect (hint: they are slightly cheaper than the price of a Sphynx!)
The Maine Coon personality
Maine Coons are gentle giants, making them a great option for a family cat.
They are known as the ‘dog of the cat world’ due to their size being typically larger than other cat breeds. They also display loyalty traits, much like a dog would.
Although affectionate they are fairly independent – not demanding and can be very vocal. Like most cat breeds, they love to hunt and chase – so make sure you have lots of toys around the house.
Does the colour of a Maine Coon decide the personality?
There are many old wives’ tales that suggest the colouring of a cat dictates their personality and to some degree, after 10 years of working with cats, I do believe this is true (I am looking at the sassy tortoiseshells).
However, there is no science behind this but again, in my opinion, Black Maine Coons act with grace and elegance which matches their royal looks.
As with all Maine Coons they are extremely affectionate and enjoying being sociable animals – making them great family pets, especially around young children.
More information: The most engaging Maine Coon cat toys
Are black Maine Coon cats predisposed to any diseases?
Like all colours of Maine Coon, black Maine Coons are predisposed to certain diseases – a type of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hip dysplasia and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
This does not mean the cat will 100% get this disease within their lifetime, it is just something to be aware of. All most all pedigree breeds are predisposed to certain diseases.
The history of the Maine Coon cat
The Maine Coon cat is considered the only longhair breed native to the United States.
It is believed the breed was introduced by seamen who sailed into New England. The cats they carried on their ships most likely left the ship either permanently or just for a little shore leave, bred with the existing native cats, and ultimately created a breed of their own.
Facts about Maine Coons
- The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed.
- A Maine Coon cat was a star in the Harry Potter film series. Mrs Norris was Maine coon companion to the castle’s caretaker, Argus Filch.
- They are a talkative breed. All cats like to chat but Maine Coons, in particular, like to make their presence known through various trills and chirps as well as the standard meows.
- It is said that Maine Coon cats LOVE water, so be sure to create some super fun water-based homemade toys for your Maine Coon kitten.
What should I call my Maine Coon?
Choosing the perfect name for your cat can be difficult but we have plenty of options to help you out: