CFA Breed Standard: Maine Coon Cat

25 .. HEAD and EARS
 5 .. EYES
25 .. BODY
 5 .. TAILLESSNESS
15 .. LEGS and FEET
COAT (20)
     10 .. LENGTH
     10 .. Texture
 5 .. COLOR and MARKINGS

GENERAL: the overall impression of the Manx cat is that of roundness; round head with firm, round muzzle and prominent cheeks; broad chest; substantial short front legs; short back which arches from shoulders to a round rump; great depth of flank and rounded, muscular thighs. The Manx should be alert, clear of eye, with a glistening, clean, well-groomed coat. They should be surprisingly heavy when lifted. Manx may be slow to mature and allowance should be made in young cats.

HEAD and EARS: round head with prominent cheeks and a jowly appearance (more evident in adult males) that enhances the round appearance of the breed. In profile, head is medium in length with a gentle dip from forehead to nose. Well developed muzzle, very slightly longer than it is broad, with a strong chin. Definite whisker break with large, round whisker pads. Short, thick neck. Ears wide at the base, tapering gradually to a rounded tip. Medium in size in proportion to the head, widely spaced and set slightly outward. When viewed from behind, the ear set resembles the rocker on a cradle. The furnishings of the ears are sparse in Shorthair Manx and full furnishings for Longhair Manx.

EYES: large, round and full. Set at a slight angle toward the nose (outer corners slightly higher than inner corners). Ideal eye color conforms to requirements of coat color.

BODY: solidly muscled, compact and well-balanced, medium in size with sturdy bone structure. The Manx is stout in appearance with broad chest and well-sprung ribs. The constant repetition of curves and circles give the Manx the appearance of great substance and durability, a cat that is powerful without the slightest hint of coarseness. Males may be slightly larger than females.

Flank (fleshy area of the side between the ribs and hip) has greater depth than in other breeds, causing considerable depth to the body when viewed from the side.

The short back forms a smooth, continuous arch from shoulders to rump, curving at the rump to form the desirable round look. Length of back is in proportion to the entire cat, height of hindquarters equal to length of body. Males may be somewhat longer. Because the Longhair Manx has longer coat over the rump area and breeches, the body may appear longer. TAILLESSNESS: appearing to be absolute in the perfect specimen. A rise of bone at the end of the spine is allowed and should not be penalized unless it is such that it stops the judge's hand, thereby spoiling the tailless appearance of the cat. The rump is extremely broad and round.

LEGS and FEET: heavily boned, forelegs short and set well apart to emphasize the broad, deep chest. Hind legs much longer than forelegs, with heavy, muscular thighs and substantial lower legs. Longer hind legs cause the rump to be considerably higher than the shoulders. Hind legs are straight when viewed from behind. Paws are neat and round with five toes in front and four behind.

COAT LENGTH - Shorthair: double coat is short and dense with a well-padded quality due to the longer, open outer coat and the close cottony undercoat. Coat may be thinner during the summer months.

COAT TEXTURE - Shorthair: texture of outer guard hairs is somewhat hard, appearance is glossy. A softer coat may occur in whites and dilutes due to color/texture gene link but should not be confused with the silky texture found in the Longhair Manx.

COAT LENGTH - Longhair: the double coat is of medium length, dense and well padded over the main body, gradually lengthening from the shoulders to the rump. Breeches, abdomen and neck-ruff is usually longer than the coat on the main body. Cheek coat is thick and full. The collar like neck-ruff extends from the shoulders, being bib-like around the chest. Breeches should be full and thick to the hocks in the mature cat. Lower leg and head coat (except for cheeks) should be shorter than on the main body and neck-ruff, but dense and full in appearance. Toe tufts and ear tufts are desirable. All things being equal in type, preference should be given to the cat showing full coating.

COAT TEXTURE - LONGHAIR: coat is soft and silky, falling smoothly on the body yet being full and plush due to the double coat. Coat should have a healthy glossy appearance. Allowance to be made for seasonal and age variations.

COLOR and MARKINGS: Manx colors and tabby patterns are recognized as described under colors. Color/patterns showing evidence of hybridization (chocolate/lavender/ ticked tabby/pointed or these combinations with white) are not allowed. Cats with no more white than a locket and/or button(s) do not qualify for the bi-color or OMC Class. Such cats shall be judged in the color class of their basic color with no penalty for such locket or button(s).

TRANSFER TO AOV: definite, visible tail joint.

PENALIZE: on the Longhair Manx, coat that lacks density, has a cottony texture or is of one overall length.

DISQUALIFY: evidence of poor physical condition; incorrect number of toes; evidence of hybridization; evidence of weakness in the hindquarters; in profile, pronounced stop or nose break.

WHITE: pure glistening white. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color: deep blue or brilliant copper. Odd-eyed whites shall have one blue and one copper eye with equal color depth.

BLACK: dense coal black, sound from roots to tip of fur. Free from any tinge of rust on tips. Nose leather: black. Paw pads: black or brown. Eye color: brilliant copper.

BLUE: blue, lighter shade preferred, one level tone. Sound to the roots. A sound darker shade is more acceptable than an unsound lighter shade. Nose leather and paw pads: blue. Eye color: brilliant copper.

RED: deep, rich, clear, brilliant red; without shading, markings, or ticking. Lips and chin the same color as coat. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper.

CREAM: one level shade of buff cream without markings. Sound to the roots. Lighter shades preferred. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color: brilliant copper.

CHINCHILLA SILVER: undercoat pure white. Coat on back, flanks, and head sufficiently tipped with black to give the characteristic sparkling silver appearance. Legs may be slightly shaded with tipping. Chin, stomach, and chest, pure white. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green or blue-green.

SHADED SILVER: undercoat white with a mantle of black tipping shading down from sides and face from dark on the ridge to white on the chin, chest, and stomach. Legs to be of the same tone as the face. The general effect to be much darker than a chinchilla. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green or blue-green.

BLACK SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with black. Cat in repose appears black. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Points and mask black with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. Nose leather and paw pads: black. Eye color: brilliant copper.

BLUE SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with blue. Cat in repose appears blue. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Points and mask blue with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. Nose leather and paw pads: blue. Eye color: brilliant copper.

CLASSIC TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Several unbroken necklaces on neck and upper chest, the more the better. Frown marks on forehead form an intricate letter "M." Unbroken line runs back from outer corner of eye. Swirls on cheeks. Vertical lines over back of head extend to shoulder markings which are in the shape of a butterfly with both upper and lower wings distinctly outlined and marked with dots inside outline. Back markings consist of a vertical line from butterfly down the entire spine with a vertical stripe paralleling it on each side, the three stripes well separated by stripes of the ground color. Large solid blotch on each side to be encircled by one or more unbroken rings. Side markings should be the same on both sides. Double vertical rows of buttons on chest and stomach.

MACKEREL TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and all narrow pencillings. Legs evenly barred with narrow bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Necklaces on neck and chest distinct, like so many chains. Head barred with an "M" on the forehead. Unbroken lines running back from the eyes. Lines running down the head to meet the shoulders. Spine lines run together to form a narrow saddle. Narrow pencillings run around body.

PATCHED TABBY PATTERN: a patched tabby (torbie) is an established silver, brown, or blue tabby with patches of red and/or cream.

BROWN PATCHED TABBY: ground color brilliant coppery brown with classic or mackerel tabby markings of dense black with patches of red and/or cream clearly defined on both body and extremities. A blaze of red and/or cream on the face is desirable. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Eye color: brilliant copper.

BLUE PATCHED TABBY: ground color, including lips and chin, pale bluish ivory with classic or mackerel tabby markings of very deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. Patches of cream clearly defined on both body and extremities. A blaze of cream on the face is desirable. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole. Eye color: brilliant copper.

SILVER PATCHED TABBY: ground color, including lips and chin, pale silver with classic or mackerel tabby markings of dense black with patches of red and/or cream clearly defined on both body and extremities. A blaze of red and/or cream on the face is desirable. Eye color: brilliant copper or hazel.

SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color, including lips and chin, pale clear silver. Markings dense black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green or hazel.

RED TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color red. Markings deep, rich red. Lips and chin red. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper.

BROWN TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black. Lips and chin the same shade as the rims around the eyes. Back of leg black from paw to heel. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black or brown. Eye color: brilliant copper.

BLUE TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color, including lips and chin, pale bluish ivory. Markings a very deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole. Nose leather: old rose. Paw pads: rose. Eye color: brilliant copper.

CREAM TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color, including lips and chin, very pale cream. Markings buff or cream sufficiently darker than the ground color to afford good contrast but remaining within the dilute color range. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color: brilliant copper.

TORTOISESHELL: black brindled with red and/or shades of red. Brindling with minimal patching acceptable. Eye color: brilliant copper.

CALICO: white with primarily unbrindled patches (minimal brindled color acceptable) of black and red. White predominant on underparts. Includes all expressions of the white spotting gene including the van pattern. Eye color: brilliant copper, odd-eyed, or blue-eyed.

DILUTE CALICO: white with primarily unbrindled patches (minimal brindled color acceptable) of blue and cream. White predominant on underparts. Includes all expressions of the white spotting gene including the van pattern. Eye color: brilliant copper, odd-eyed, or blue-eyed.

BLUE-CREAM: blue brindled with cream. Brindling with minimal patching acceptable. Eye color: brilliant copper.

BI-COLOR: white with unbrindled patches of solid color - black, blue, red or cream; white with mackerel or classic tabby patterns - brown, blue, red, or cream; white with either classic or mackerel brown patched or blue patched tabbies. Includes all expressions of the white spotting gene from low-white to van patterns. All other recognized Manx colors with white to be shown in OMC class. Cats with no more than a locket and/or button do not qualify for this color class. Such cats shall be judged in the color class of their basic color with no penalty for such locket and/or button. Eye color: brilliant copper, odd-eyed or blue-eyed.

OMC (Other Manx Colors): any other color or pattern with the exception of those showing hybridization resulting in the colors chocolate, lavender, the Himalayan pattern, or these combinations with white. Eye color: brilliant copper, odd-eyed or blue-eyed.

The following information is for reference purposes only and not an official part of the CFA Show Standard.

Manx Color Class Numbers

Longhair Division
Blue-Eyed White                1600        1601
Copper-Eyed White                1602        1603
Odd-Eyed White                1604        1605
Blue                1606        1607
Black                1608        1609
Red                1610        1611
Cream                1614        1615
Chinchilla Silver                1630        1631
Shaded Silver                1632        1633
Black Smoke                1634        1635
Blue Smoke                1638        1639
Silver Tabby                1636        1637
Silver Mackerel Tabby                1636        M        1637        M
Red Tabby                1640                1641
Red Mackerel Tabby                1640        M        1641        M
Brown Tabby                1644                1645
Brown Mackerel Tabby                1644        M        1645        M
Blue Tabby                1652                1653
Blue Mackerel Tabby                1652        M        1653        M
Cream Tabby                1654                1655
Cream Mackerel Tabby                1654        M        1655        M
Tortoiseshell                - -                1647
Calico                - -                1649
(White with Black & Red) or Dilute Calico
(White with Blue & Cream)
Blue-Cream                - -                1651
Bi-Color                1660        1661
[Red & White, Blue & White, Cream & White,
Black & White; Blue Tabby & White, Brown
Tabby & White (classic, mackerel, patched

& van); Red Tabby & White, Cream Tabby
& White (classic, mackerel & van)]
OMC (Other Manx Colors)                1690                1691
(Any other color or pattern with the exception of
those showing evidence of hybridization resulting
in the colors chocolate, lavender, the himalayan
pattern, or these combinations with white, etc. Cats
with no more white than a locket and/or button do not
qualify for these color classes. Such cats shall be
judged in the color class of their basic color with no
penalty for such locket and/or button.
AOV                1698        1699

Shorthair Division
Blue-Eyed White                0600                0601
Copper-Eyed White                0602                0603
Odd-Eyed White                0604                0605
Blue                0606                0607
Black                0608                0609
Red                0610                0611
Cream                0614                0615
Chinchilla Silver                0630                0631
Shaded Silver                0632                0633
Black Smoke                0634                0635
Blue Smoke                0638                0639
Silver Tabby                0636                0637
Silver Mackerel Tabby                0636        M        0637        M
Red Tabby                0640                0641
Red Mackerel Tabby                0640        M        0641        M
Brown Tabby                0644                0645
Brown Mackerel Tabby                0644        M        0645        M
Blue Tabby                0652                0653
Blue Mackerel Tabby                0652        M        0653        M
Cream Tabby                0654                0655
Cream Mackerel Tabby                0654        M        0655        M
Tortoiseshell                - -                0647
Calico                - -                0649
(White with Black & Red) or Dilute Calico
(White with Blue & Cream)
Blue-Cream                - -                0651
Bi-Color                0660                0661
[Red & White, Blue & White, Cream & White,
Black & White; Blue Tabby & White,& Brown Tabby
& White (classic, mackerel, patched & van); Red
Tabby & White, Cream Tabby & White (classic,
mackerel & van)]
OMC (Other Manx Colors)                0690                0691
(Any other color or pattern with the exception of
 those showing evidence of hybridization resulting in the
colors chocolate, lavender, the himalayan pattern, or
these combinations with white, etc. Cats with no more
white than a locket and/or button do not qualify for
these color classes. Such cats shall be judged in the
color class of their basic color with no penalty for
such locket and/or button.
AOV                0698        0699

Manx allowable outcross breeds: none