American Shorthair - all about the cat, 4 disadvantages and 7 advantages of the breed

History of the origin of the American Shorthair cat breed

History believes that their ancestors were European forest cats. Wild cats came to England when the Romans gave them to the English to protect grain from rodents. At that time, there was even a law protecting animals in Britain. Everyone who took their lives and mocked them received serious fines.

Later, the animals had to face the Inquisition, which exterminated the breed. Animals were believed to be associated with magic. This is how the population of wild European cats decreased.

Interesting!
In the 21st century, the American Shorthair occupies a leading position in the ranking of cat breeds.

They were remembered during the plague, when the cities were filled with rat carriers. Very quickly the cats spread throughout England. They entered America during the Gold Rush. Cats were brought on ships, where they protected food from rodents. Already at the end of the 19th century, animals inhabited the entire territory of the United States and became very popular.

The variety was first registered in 1900. She was given a name - domestic shorthair. Later the cat became known as the American Shorthair. At the beginning of the 20th century, a selective breeding plan was created aimed at preserving and developing the breed.

Breeders selected ideal breeding pairs who had an easy-going character and good appearance. In 1904, a kitten named Buster Brown was officially registered - a true descendant of cats that came to America on ships. This is the first official representative of the American Shorthair.

After this, breeders created a clear algorithm for breeding short-haired cats. So by 1930 they enriched the basic breed standard with completely different combinations. There are already more than 80 different colors, including black, white, and tricolor. Until the end of the 20th century, cats were called domestic shorthairs. Since 1966, the cat is officially called the American Shorthair and becomes famous.

Interesting!
The breed came to Russia in 2007. The KC Dancers cattery sent the cat Lucky and the cat Cleopatra to Moscow.

Over time, the cat has changed in appearance. She became larger, her fur became thicker. One thing has remained unchanged - their good health and ability to hunt.

Interesting Facts

During the existence of American women, a lot of interesting things happened to the breed:

There is a legend that American shorthair cats were present on all the ships of Christopher Columbus's flotilla during his search for India. The legendary navigator believed that animals would save food supplies from rodents and ordered to take them with him. And this is how the ancestors of American women came to the lands of the Indians. True, this version has no documentary evidence and remains simply a beautiful legend.
The American Shorthair is the national pride of the United States. The cat is considered the same symbol of the country as apple pie or baseball.
American Shorthairs helped form several other breeds, including the Exotic, Devon Rex, Snowshoe, Scottish Fold and Bengal.

Appearance of the American Shorthair cat

The American Shorthair cat is similar to the "British" cat. “Americans” are still distinguished by a clearer pattern on their fur, rounded eyes and a large head.

Height and weight

The cat is tall, reaching 25-35 cm at the withers. Pets weigh from 4 to 8 kg. Females are more graceful, males are larger and prone to gaining excess weight.

Important!
Pets develop and gain weight slowly. Reviews from owners note that the final parameters can be fixed by the age of four.

Length and shape of limbs

The tail is of medium length with a rounded tip, the base is slightly thicker than the tip. The front and rear legs are muscular, squat, with massive pads. Overall the animal looks stocky. They do not have a thin neck or elongated legs, like the Abyssinians.

Head shape

The round head with a wide muzzle looks quite large. This is typical even for kittens; their head size can take up 1/3 of the body. Sometimes the head shape is called square because its height is equal to its width. At the same time, a massive jaw and a pronounced forehead can be seen. The neck is strong and muscular.

Large round cheeks are characteristic, especially in males. The pointed ears are spaced apart. They are planted almost vertically. The nose is of medium size.

Eye color and shape

The American Shorthair cat has round eyes. The outer corner looks up, the inner corner is turned towards the bridge of the nose. They are far apart from each other. This arrangement creates a mischievous and surprised cat look.

A yellow-orange iris is considered classic, especially for tabby or black coats. The silver color has green eyes. Rarely are cats born with white fur and blue eyes.

Wool

The hairs are short and the fur is thick. The fur fits tightly to the animal's skin. This feature protects him from injury and cold.

There is a natural shine. With the onset of winter, pets grow a thicker undercoat. In the spring they begin to molt. Solid colors, red, and tabby are quite rare.

Constitution

Cats have a muscular but compact body. The torso is proportional. The back is wide. The chest and hips are well developed. When the cat stands in profile, you can notice a slight slope that runs from the head to the tailbone.

Voice

Cats do not like to scream or meow loudly; this has always distinguished them from ordinary cats. They are quite restrained in their statements and love silence. Voice signals can be heard in rare cases, such as when food has run out.

Lifespan

Animals live on average 15-16 years. If you carefully care for them and carry out preventive examinations by a veterinarian, their lifespan will increase to 20 years.

Possible defects

The American Shorthair cat breed has a number of defects. They slightly affect the appearance of the animal, but block its path to exhibitions or breeding. For some people, having defects is a plus, because such pets are sold at a good discount. At the same time, their appearance remains so attractive.

List of vices:

silver colors are characterized by a green color of the iris, if the animal has a different eye shade, this is a defect;
elongated ears;
creases or nodules on the tail;
too stocky or, conversely, overly elongated body;
lilac or chocolate color;
fur with long hairs;
underweight or overweight;
deafness;
Often unscrupulous breeders cross varieties that are similar in appearance; such selection disqualifies the pet.

You can look at the external characteristics of cats in the video in our photo and video gallery at the end of the article.

Description

The American Shorthair cat is famous for its gentle and calm character, beautiful coat and excellent health.

Agile, muscular cats terrified rodents

Appearance

The appearance of the “American women” corresponds to their natural purpose. Ratcatchers look like real hunters.

Appearance must comply with the breed standard accepted by the WCF:

The body is medium-sized or large, strong, muscular. The round chest is well developed.
The head is quite large. The muzzle appears rounded, but is slightly longer than wide. Well developed cheeks, strong chin, forehead and skull slightly rounded. The nose is straight, of medium length and uniformly wide. The base of the nose at the forehead should be visible. The neck is of medium length, muscular.
The limbs are thick, strong, of medium length, tapering evenly to strong round paws.
The ears are medium in size with rounded tips and may have tufts. There is a wide distance between the ears. The height approximately corresponds to the width at the base.
The coat is short and thick, dense and shiny.
The tail is of medium length with a wide base, slightly tapering to a rounded end.
The eyes are round, open, widely spaced, slightly slanted, shiny. They have a pure color - green, yellow, copper or blue.

The color palette of American Shorthair cats is varied.

Rock defects

A defect or defect in the breed may not be immediately noticeable. But the requirements for show animals are very strict. Serious defects may disqualify a pet:

crease of the tail;
the bridge of the nose protruding more than usual;
bulging eyes;
malocclusion;
jaw distortion;
fused fingers;
gait defect (lameness, wobbling gait);
excessive length and/or waviness of the coat;
presence of white spots;
weight discrepancy;
eye color.

If the tail is too short or the body is too rough, the cat (or rather, its owner) will face a fine.

Character

By nature, a cat of this breed is peaceful, calm and flexible. Independent, like most of her relatives, she loves to purr and cuddle only when she wants it. If the owners are away from home all day, the cat will calmly endure loneliness. Moderately lazy, she will not tear your home to pieces, but will calmly watch what is happening around her, or go to bed.

In the absence of the owner, the cat will observe the outside world or sleep

The cat is friendly, loves adults and children, and quickly makes friends with other pets. Gentle and sociable, but at the same time quite independent and self-sufficient. He accepts courtship with pleasure and responds with boundless affection and tenderness. Loves people without exception, without dividing into friends and foes.

Despite its calm and slightly lazy character, the cat will always happily respond to the desire to play. The hunting instinct is well developed: cats love to catch mice and various rodents, even if they are not real.

“American” is a brave, strong, hardy and smart cat. Don't be surprised if she brings you a couple of rodents as a gift, proving her devotion and usefulness. When it comes to food, they are greedy; they try to eat in a secluded place and will not share with anyone.

Cats of this breed have some interesting features: they are not afraid of water and bury food reserves.

Video: details about the American Shorthair breed

Coat color

The American Shorthair cat comes in more than 80 colors. You can find any desired color - single-color, three-color, striped, etc.

Plain

Let's say red, otherwise they call it red. A solid blue American Shorthair cat is shown in the photo. There are cream, black and white shades. Pure colors do not appear so often, so they are highly valued.

Tabby

Often tortoiseshell tabby, brown tabby (pictured), etc. appear in the litter. Tabby colors include clear stripes, narrow short stripes, wide more diffuse stripes, or only markings on the forehead.

In English, tabby means “motley” or “striped.” The tabby color is considered the oldest. It appeared naturally as a method of camouflage for wild cats. The tabby's fur allowed predators to hide in the bushes and then attack their prey unnoticed.

Marble

The American Shorthair cat is famous for its silver tabby color (pictured). This is the color you can see in the Whiskas advertisement. There are clearly visible stripes here that resemble marble stains. They are more chaotic than the parallel brindles of other breeds.

Spotted (tri-color)

The photographs clearly show 3 main shades. Sometimes two mixed shades are found, but more often spotted cats are born tri-colored.

Interesting!
Often tricolor cats are females.

Savannah

Savannahs of the F1 generation are most similar to the wild ancestor
Savannahs are the most expensive and prestigious cat breed today. And, by the way, it is the largest in the world, as its weight reaches 15 kg. This is a hybrid breed, which involved the wild African serval and cats of such breeds as Siamese, Bengal, Oriental and Egyptian Mau. The closer the savannah is to the serval in appearance, the more expensive it is. Savannah generations, depending on the content of Serval blood, are labeled as F1 (50%), F2 (29%) and so on. The breed was officially recognized by TICA in 2001.

Characteristics and habits

The American Shorthair cat has a balanced and easy-going character. She is moderately active, moderately lazy, treats people well and loves children. Not demanding.

Important!
This is an ideal cat for a family whose members are constantly at work or school.

Activity and curiosity

Cats of this breed never refuse to play, especially under the age of 1 year. Over time, cats reduce their activity and become calm. Pets are loyal to moving, changing surroundings, and traveling.

They are unobtrusive. If the owner is not in a good mood or is busy with important matters, they do not bother him. Cats are independent and have fun alone. They spend the breaks between games in sweet sleep.

Attention!
The American Shorthair cat breed is prone to obesity. Active physical activity with the owner is necessary for losing excess calories and being in good physical shape.

Communication with people and other pets

American Shorthair cats are wonderful companions for humans. She respects personal boundaries, but is always happy to chat.

Reviews note that while no one is home, the cat enjoys privacy. She will be able to find her own entertainment. During the daytime they prefer to sleep. The pet adapts to the owner’s work schedule. When he arrives, he will definitely wake up and meet the person at the door.

They get along well with other animals, with the exception of rodents and birds.

Important!
Despite its friendly attitude towards humans, the cat cannot be called tame. They prefer short-term close contacts of no more than 10 minutes.

Intelligence

The American Shorthair cat, despite its playful nature, has a developed intelligence. She is easy to teach basic skills. They quickly determine the location of the tray, scratching posts, toys, etc. Breeders rate the intellectual development of the breed 8 points out of 10.

Important!
Animals never cause chaos in the apartment. While the person is not at home, they rest peacefully.

Hunting instinct

This is the best mousetrap in the world. They only need 2-3 attacks to catch the unfortunate creature. The ancestors of this breed even saved people from the plague by quickly exterminating all the rats. Flies, ants, and moths are caught in apartments. Neighborhood with hamsters and house mice is excluded; hunting instincts will always prevail over the animal.

Attitude towards kids

American Shorthair cats respond favorably to small children. Pets are patient, intelligent, always open to communication, and have a friendly attitude. They will be happy to become part of a big family. The child should be explained the rules of behavior and safety precautions with a cat. Even in emergency cases, pets do not release their claws and show patience and care.

Education and training

Cats are already well-mannered enough. They don't steal food from the table, don't ruin clothes, don't mark slippers. They are very clean and use the litter box regularly. They don't like training.

Before you start training your pet, it is important to follow the points on the list:

Establish a warm, trusting relationship with him. Cats only follow commands when they have a close emotional connection with a person.
Get used to activities from early childhood.
Create effective motivation and encouragement.
The training process should resemble a game, rather than a strict teaching process.

Physical exercise

American Shorthairs are moderately active and calm cats. They need a lot of play and interaction with people. Interactive toys will help prevent your pet from getting bored and provide the right amount of physical and mental stress. You can try taking your pet for a walk on a harness.

American Shorthairs need a lot of attention. Play complexes, scratching posts and interactive toys are very suitable for them. Try to provide a pet-friendly atmosphere at home.

Nowadays there is something new in the world of cat toys every day, so stay tuned! Cats love to chase toys, hunt them, attack them, and interactive toys are ideal in this regard.

Toys must be made from safe materials without toxic BPA and butylated hydroxytoluene.

Care and maintenance

The American Shorthair cat breed is good for beginner cat lovers, because... caring for her is very simple. Cats need basic comfort, which is described below.

Moving into a new home

Keeping a cat in a new home involves purchasing the necessary items:

The tray should be wide and deep, but proportional to the animal. Kittens require low sides and small dimensions. Silica gel or granulated sawdust are used as filler.
Installation of a scratching post is required. It is better if there are several of them - one in each room. It is especially useful to install them near the feeding area and tray. It is not so difficult to teach a pet to sharpen its claws in one place, but to wean it from scratching the sofa is almost impossible.
It is advisable to install a climbing frame or exercise machine for cats so that the pet can independently expend accumulated energy. In a private home, cats are allowed into the backyard.
Provide a feeding area that will be located at a distance from the tray. Clean drinking water (boiled or distilled) should always be available, as well as the daily allowance of dry food. For greater convenience of the owner, silicone mats are placed under the bowls. Then you won't have to scrub the floor of cat food.
If your pet will be walked, you will need a harness. There are convenient models in the form of vests or simpler ones - straps. Before a walk, the fur is treated against fleas and other parasites.

Hygiene and medical procedures

Water procedures. Pets do not need frequent bathing. Washing is carried out only when the animal has seriously rolled around in the mud. In other cases, they cope perfectly well on their own. The American Shorthair cat is very clean and grooms itself several times a day.
Ears and eyes. Eyes and ears are examined regularly, once every 2 weeks. Use a clean cotton swab to remove mucus and accumulated wax. The ears can be wiped with chlorhexidine or a special lotion from a pet store.
Claws. Every 2-3 weeks the animal’s claws are trimmed. The procedure can be performed at home. Use a nail cutter, making an incision at the very tip of the claw. The main thing is not to touch the vessels; they can be seen in the light.
Teeth. To prevent tartar from spoiling your pet’s smile, they are treated with hard treats. Dry food also helps clean teeth. In some cases, veterinarians prescribe cleaning using a silicone brush and a special gel.
Every season the animal is given anthelmintic drugs. Regular procedure protects your pet from helminths.
If you go for a walk with an animal outside, be sure to drip a special drug against external parasites onto the withers.
Every year there are a number of mandatory vaccinations.
If breeding is not planned, the issue of sterilization or castration is resolved. Cats do best when they are under 1 year of age.

Grooming

Short hair mats quickly and tangles form, so the animals are combed regularly. The procedure is carried out at least once a week, and preferably 2-3 times, especially during the molting period. There is no need for swimming. Any color needs careful care, especially tabby, red, and plain colors. They have very noticeable protruding hairs, shedding, and dandruff.

Important!
Sometimes there are individuals who do not like to be licked. In this case, washing can be beneficial for the animal, especially if it often walks outside.

Diet

The breed is quite insatiable in terms of food. The American Shorthair cat will constantly demand treats and a new portion. It is important for the owner to control the amount of calories consumed, otherwise the animal may become obese and, as a result, have heart problems.

Important!
You need to choose one diet - store-bought food or natural food. You cannot feed an animal everything; a varied menu provokes allergies.

They use premium feed or holistic feed, sample list:

Royal Canin;
Hill's;
Purina;
AATU;
Acana.

It is important to calculate the daily food intake based on the pet’s weight and not exceed it. Portion details are usually found on the food packaging. Kittens up to 1 year old can be fed up to 4-5 times a day. Adult cats are fed no more than 2-3 times a day.

The daily allowance of dry food should be freely available. Wet food is used as a treat 1-2 times a day.

Important!
It is possible that the first food purchased will not suit your cat. Sometimes a pet refuses dry food. It is best to discuss the following menu changes with your veterinarian to avoid mistakes and digestive problems.

The natural menu includes:

lean meat (occupies 70-80% of the plate) - chicken, veal, rabbit - you can freeze raw fillet for 3 days, then pour boiling water over it, or boil it completely;
boiled boneless, low-fat fish fillet;
low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat sour cream, kefir;
boiled eggs;
vegetables (make up 25% of the diet) - carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin, greens, broccoli;
cereals are boiled in water; they help the functioning of the digestive organs - rice, buckwheat, oatmeal.

Ideally for one meal:

Sterilization and castration

Not all owners realize the need for this procedure. If breeding is not envisaged, surgery is required. Pills and injections that inhibit instinct do not have the desired effect and greatly undermine the animal’s health.

There are 2 procedures:

Castration is the removal of the gonads. After the operation, the cat’s aggressiveness disappears and he stops marking his territory. Kitties no longer show signs of heat because... sex hormones are not produced.
Sterilization is an operation that deprives an animal of the ability to bear children, but preserves the production of sex hormones. In cats, the vas deferens are ligated, in cats the fallopian tubes are ligated.

Benefits of spaying or neutering:

After surgery, animals live a long healthy life, the risk of developing diseases of the genitourinary system is reduced;
cats are protected from uterine disease, the risk of developing mammary gland diseases is reduced;
pets acquire a calm character, but do not lose their individuality, do not become apathetic, they also play actively, but no longer feel aggression;
The operation is a safe and painless procedure, the main thing is to monitor your pet during the recovery period.

Hereditary diseases

The American Shorthair cat is in excellent health. It easily adapts to any conditions. When closely related or incorrect crossing occurs, genetic abnormalities appear.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Heart problems are often fatal. Therefore, it is important to regularly visit the veterinarian and monitor the animal’s condition.

A brief description of the disease is thickening of the muscular wall of the ventricles of the heart. Pathology complicates the work of the heart. In the early stages, the deviation is difficult to identify; it is practically not diagnosed. An American shorthair cat, as reviews advise, should undergo a heart ultrasound twice a year.

Symptoms:

shortness of breath - rapid breathing with an open mouth;
blood clot formation;
blockage of blood vessels;
Often problems begin with the femoral arteries, due to which the animal cannot lean on its hind limbs.

Hip dysplasia

Rare hereditary pathology. The disease provokes pain, the animal begins to limp. The pet avoids active movements, the gait becomes uncertain. He cannot jump on the sofa, chair, bed. Painful symptoms are often accompanied by desperate meowing.

Important!
The pathology is not only inherited, but also manifests itself in overweight animals.

Young pets are prescribed surgery. At the same time, the animal’s diet is adjusted, vitamins, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

Polycystic kidney disease

This is the formation of cavities inside the organ, which are gradually filled with fluid. The disease progresses slowly. By the time it is discovered, organs often fail.

It is important to identify symptoms early:

lethargy;
refusal to eat and lack of appetite;
constant thirst;
frequent trips to the toilet;
vomit;
reduced weight.

To identify pathology, blood and urine tests are performed, and an ultrasound examination is additionally performed.

Treatment consists of a diet that excludes protein and phosphorus. A course of vitamins is prescribed. Antacids are prescribed to prevent gagging. Check your blood pressure regularly.

Obesity

Cats like to eat more than they need, which is why they become obese. As a result, problems with the cardiovascular system, diabetes or urolithiasis develop.

Causes of obesity:

regular overeating;
mixed type of feeding;
passive lifestyle, the cat does not waste energy;
harmful high-calorie treats;
advanced age;
castration (the procedure reduces the need for energy, but the animal continues to be fed in the same way).

A veterinarian will help you cope with the problem. He will select a suitable diet and check the animal for concomitant pathologies. The owner, in turn, must guarantee the pet physical activity and a healthy diet.

Diseases

These animals, having a strong constitution, are quite hardy.

But some lines of this breed have a predisposition to cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart disease that causes many animals to die in their youth.

Hip dysplasia is also an inherited disease, which can cause the animal to experience pain and limp.

Sometimes American Shorthairs can suffer from polycystic kidney disease, which can cause this organ to fail completely.

Pros and cons of the breed

You can find a lot of advantages in the American Shorthair cat, but if you believe the reviews, there are also disadvantages.

Pros:

beautiful appearance;
balanced character and unobtrusiveness;
they deftly and quickly catch rodents;
strong immunity;
they love silence and rarely voice themselves;
intelligent and obedient;
do not experience aggression towards children or other four-legged pets (not counting rodents).

Minuses:

already at 3-4 years they become less active;
tend to spend time alone;
do not like to sit on hands and cuddle;
often overeat, which provokes obesity and heart problems.

Choosing a kitten and its cost

To buy a healthy pet, you should follow several rules:

For a purebred kitten, it is better to contact a good nursery. Sick or out-of-breed animals are often sold in markets, message boards and pet stores. Nurseries are interested in further breeding; they monitor the health and appearance of their charges.
The kitten is given to the owner at the age of 3 months. By this age, he is given his first vaccinations, taught to use a litter tray, and weaned off cat milk. At the age of three months, the kitten has a stronger psyche and a developed body.
If an American Shorthair cat has abnormalities, a description of the breed will help you avoid purchasing a non-pedigreed kitten. It is important to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the animal in advance and remember its external description.
Before buying, you should watch the kitten. He should be active, curious, playful. A bad signal is moving away from people, hiding in a corner, or painfully meowing at a simple touch.
Eyes and ears should be dry and clean. The body is moderately well-fed. You cannot buy a kitten - this is an unhealthy sign. The coat should be clean and shiny, there should be no bald spots or red spots.

In nurseries, kittens can be sold without documents. The price for such a cat varies between 10-15 thousand rubles.

If an animal is purchased for further breeding or exhibitions, you should contact elite nurseries. It is necessary to have all documents - vaccination passport, pedigree, etc. The price for such a kitten is 20-30 thousand rubles.

Likoy

Lykoei skin is very sensitive to the sun and heat, and quickly acquires a “tan,” from pink to brown or even black.
Another breed of cat with atypical fur is the werecat from Virginia. Scary on the outside, but smart and funny on the inside. For an unprepared person, the faces will seem, hmm... intriguing. The first difference is hair, the amount of which on a cat’s body varies depending on the time of year. The second is an unusual coat color, which in the case of horses is usually called “roan” (Americans call it “possum color”), that is, gray hairs on a predominantly black background, in a 50/50 ratio. This color creates a kind of mask on the Lykoi’s muzzle, giving a chilling expression to the Lykoi’s large golden eyes, exactly like those of lycanthropes from horror films.

Since 2021, the CFA has allowed Lykoi to participate in shows in the mixed class, as the breed standard is in the process of being formed. So far only TICA has fully recognized the breed.

Breeding American Shorthair

Mating is carried out only within the breed. It is permissible to cross the American Shorthair with the Wirehaired breed.

Crossing is carried out from 8 months of age. During this time, the cat’s body will become strong enough to continue breeding. Mating is prescribed during the period of estrus, on days 1-3. The cat is always brought into the cat's territory. This way the animals will be most comfortable.

Young males are suitable for monthly mating. With age, the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a week.

The American Shorthair cat gives birth to kittens at 9-10 weeks of pregnancy. The imminent birth is signaled by the characteristic behavior of the mother cat. She will dig the ground, form a nest, and begin to look for a secluded warm place.

Important!
Despite the fact that a cat can go into heat 3-4 times a year, they should not give birth more than 2 times a year. The favorable age for the birth of offspring is up to 8-9 years.

Photo and video

Photos of kittens and adults:

Video:

Video: American Shorthair cat breed

Video: American Shorthair cat - everything about the breed. Interesting Facts

Video: What you didn't know about the American Shorthair cat

The American Shorthair is a beauty with blue eyes, a loyal character and a faithful companion for many years. An intelligent animal does not cause trouble, but gives many warm moments and the joy of communication.

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the most popular American cat breeds, due to its spectacular appearance and docile nature.
The brutal beauty of the Maine Coon has long conquered many hearts of cat lovers. Oh, this noble face, the tufts on the ears, the attentive, understanding look from under his brows... Once you see a Maine Coon, it’s almost impossible to get him out of your head.

The name of the breed comes from the name of the supposed homeland of the Maine Coon - Maine, and the ending "coon" got to the breed from the word racoon (English raccoon), probably for its similar striped color. Some external resemblance to the Norwegian forest cat has given rise to the opinion that Maine Coons are the ancestors of those same Norwegian cats that the Vikings brought to the United States a long time ago, although there is no direct confirmation of this. However, Maine Coons are considered an indigenous American cat breed, which was formed naturally in the difficult continental climate of Maine. Traditionally, the Maine Coon breed is considered the largest cat breed (the weight of adult cats reaches 15 kg).

The raccoon cat breed was first officially registered by the CFA at the beginning of the 20th century, and the modern standard was adopted in 1967.