This standard became effective on 1st June 2001

The Maine Coon is a semi-longhaired cat of medium Foreign type and is distinguished by its large size, bone structure, rectangular appearance and flowing coat.

The Maine Coon evolved as a working domesticated cat in a rural environment; this role is reflected in a muscular cat of rugged outdoor appearance with a characteristic weatherproof coat and the demeanour of an alert capable hunter.

Head - Medium in length, the nasal bridge being equidistant from the ear line and the tip of the nose, with the width being slightly less than the length of the head. Allowance should be made for additional breadth or jowls in mature males.

The muzzle should be square with firm chin: chin, upper lip and nose leather should fall in a perpendicular line. Cheeks fairly full, with high cheekbones. Bite level. Nose of uniform width with shallow concave curve at the nasal bridge when viewed in profile, and without a sharp break or stop.

Ears - Large, tall ears, wide at base and tapering to appear pointed at the tip; set high but well apart.

Eyes - Full and round, spaced wide apart with a slightly oblique aperture and set. Shades of green, gold or copper; coat and eye colour may be unrelated. Odd or blue eyes are permissible in white cats.

Body and Neck - Body large to medium size, solid and muscular with breadth of chest. Long body with proportionate limbs to create the characteristic rectangular appearance; square rump. Neck moderately long; particularly thick and muscular in mature males.

Legs and Paws - Substantial legs with large round paws; toes carried close, five in front, four behind.

Tail - Long, at least the length of the back, wide at the base and tapering towards the tip.

Coat:  Waterproof and virtually self-maintaining, consisting of an undercoat covered by a more substantial glossy topcoat. Fur shorter on the head, neck and shoulders increasing in length down the back, flanks and tail. A fluffy appearance is undesirable.

Breeches and belly fur full and shaggy. Frontal ruff beginning at the base of the ears; heavier in males than females. Tail fur long, profuse and flowing; not bushy. Ears feathered and preferably tufted at the tips; the ear feathering should extend beyond the outer edges of the ear. Paws tufted, with long tufts emanating from under the paws, extending backwards to create a snowshoe effect.

Coat Colour and Pattern - The Maine Coon is recognised in a variety of solid colours (including white in all eye colours); tortoiseshell; tabby colours (classic and mackerel patterns) with or without silver; shaded and smoke colours; bi-colour and parti-colour (e.g. solid/tabby/tortoiseshell/shaded/smoke
colour and white).
Notes:
1. Since the Maine Coon is slow to mature (taking up to 4 years), allowance should be made as to their size when judging younger cats.  The balance of the cat is of uppermost importance.
2. The cat loses coat during the summer months.
3. Different coat colours may have different textured coats

SCALE OF POINTS:
Head: Including general shape and proportions: shape, size and ear set; shape, size, set and colour of eyes; nose length and profile; cheeks, muzzle and chin ……........................................…………………………..……....35 points
Body:  Including shape and proportions; size, bone structure, muscularity and condition, height and thickness of legs; shape and size of paws; shape and length of tail……………...........……………………………………......... 30 points
Coat:   Including length and texture; frontal ruff; ear feathering and tufting; tail furnishings; paw furnishings……………….................................20 points
Colour and Pattern: ...............................………..…….................  15 points
                                                    Total:              100 points

Withhold all awards for:
1. Wrongly registered adults, kittens or neuters.
NOTE: These should be marked as wrong colour on judge's slips and disqualified.
2.  Blue or odd eyes in cats of a colour other than white
3.  Van Patterned Cats

Withhold Certificates or First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes for:
1. Cobby body shape and/or fine bone structure
2. Bi-Colour or Parti-colour cats that exhibit more than one third white or do not exhibit some white on all four paws, belly and chest
3. Definite nose break or stop                                           
4. Straight profile or pronounced nose bump
5. Untuftedpaws