From: lyndap@Novell.COM (Lynda Peterson)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: What kind of cats do I have?
Date: 4 Sep 92 22:56:42 GMT
Organization: Novell, Inc.

In article <1992Sep4.163141.9165@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>  
jhoskins@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (James M Hoskins) writes:
> In article <uPZJqB1w165w@ailanth.UUCP> ailsa%ailanth.uucp@wang.com  
(Ailsa N.T.
> Murphy) writes:
> I agree with ailsa's reaction to Crystal's above statement.  The Maine  
Coon is a distinct breed which, historically, originated along the Maine  
coast. All this occurred outside of the need some cat-lovers have had  
since the mid to late 19th century to "paper and register" cats according  
to defined breed standards.  The Maine Coon developed its distinctive  
qualities in geographic isolation.  However, the state of Maine is not an  
island; over time the Maine Coon cat has intermixed considerably with  
other cats.  Many domestic longhairs have Maine Coon in their lineage.  If  
you read about the breed you will discover that fact is often hard to  
separate from fiction with this cat, and there does exist interesting  
mythology about the origin and nature of the Maine Coon.  My feeling is,  
who cares "what" your cat is.  Any cat is unusual, unique and beautiful;  
if your cat has Maine Coon characteristics call it a Maine Coon if you  
want, call it a Domestic Longhair, the cat won't be offended either way.
 
>Maybe 10 years ago or so the Cat Fancier's Assn. (or whatever it's  
>called) gave official breed designation to the Maine Coon.  This worries  
>me, and I would ask ailsa or others to comment if there is basis to my  
>worry:  I fear that the endearing character qualities (curiosity,  
>gentleness, humor) of the Maine Coon will become a secondary  
>consideration to the need to ever-more exaggerate the physical  
>characteristics which make the Maine Coon so visually distinctive (little  
>ear tufts, the furry flanks, the breastbone hair...). Over time, didn't  
>the Persian's face become more and more squashed in? I hope that the  
>Maine Coon Cat of the future will keep the bloodlines of the hearty Maine  
>cats that still roam around the barns and seaports of that beautiful  
>state.  I hope that breeders supplying a market of people wanting the new  
>in-vogue-cat will not irresponsibly manipulate the distinctive features  
>of these cats into some sort of exaggerated monstrosity that can be  
>officially papered and registered.


My own humble opinion of my own great kitty, who I love dearly no matter  
what you want to call her: (please don't take any offense)

I like to call my cat a Maine Coon because when I read the description of  
one, it fit exactly. She has the personality, coat and queer chirping  
noise mentioned in my book of breeds. (Even looks exactly like the cat  
that was pictured.) If I just called her a domestic longhair, people who  
couldn't see her wouldn't know exactly what she looked like but, if I say  
"Maine Coon," they picture all of those distinctive traits. She may not be  
papered but, she couldn't be closer to the purebreed. Incidentally, the  
owner of the store I bought her at, called her a "persian" if you can  
believe it. 

One other point, what is a, oh say a "beagle" if it is not papered, a  
shorthair domestic multi-colored canine? Why doesn't the same rule apply  
to dogs, dare I mention them? Chuckle, chuckle. :-)

lyndap 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats