The Maine Coon is a water-loving breed with many desirable traits. These traits include Rex gene, Polydactylism, Water-loving, and easy to train. But what exactly is a rexed Maine Coon? There are several possible answers to this question.
Rex gene
There is no definitive test to determine if the Maine Coon carries the rex gene. In 1994 the British Maine Coon Cat Club declared the rex gene to be harmful to the health of the breed, and many breeders stopped breeding. Others imported “rex-free” stock. Some breeders even restricted rex matings to females. Currently, the only way to tell if a cat has a rex gene is to check the mating records of known carriers.
While the Rx gene is rare in the Maine Coon, it does affect the cat’s colour. It is a recessive gene, which means that the kittens of Maine Coons will be white. This gene was originally acquired from a Siamese ancestor. The result is a white kitten with a colourpoint coat.
In the mid to late 1980s, breeders began producing pedigree litters with rex-coated Maine Coons. These cats raised a lot of controversy, particularly within the Maine Coon Cat Club and the conservative British cat fancy. These cats had fur that was crinkled and frizzy, and were neutered.
Colourpoint Maine Coons were a hot topic of debate in Germany and Switzerland, but the first authenticated specimens of this type were not bred until the 1990s. Breeders in those countries threatened to expose the gene if the animals were found to be tainted.
Polydactylism
Polydactylism is a condition where a cat has a different number of toes on each foot than its other toes. The term polydactylism originates from the Greek word polydaktylos, which means “many fingers.” In humans, this condition causes an extra digit on one or both forelimbs.
While Maine is home to several polydactyl cats, these are not the only cats in the world with this trait. It is also common in cats in Britain and along the east coast of North America. A study conducted by Lloyd (1985) reported that 0-8% of cats in various populations were polydactyl. Polydactylism was also widespread in Ernest Hemingway’s collection of cats. The famous author kept several cats in his Key West home, and many of his polydactyl cats had six toes. The descendants of these cats still live in the Hemingway house.
While normal coons have 18 toes, polydactyl Maine coons have only eight toes. The extra digits are useful in climbing and improving balance, and the gene can be passed down from parent to offspring. In the past, polydactyl Maine coon breeders believed it was unethical to breed such coons with known genetic abnormalities. But today, breeders have begun intentionally breeding these animals with polydactyl traits to enhance their ability to hunt.
While polydactyl Maine coons are more likely to be polydactyl, they are no less loving and affectionate than the average Maine Coon. Polydactyl Maine coons are most commonly found in the Northeast part of North America, and are referred to as double-pawed cats.
Water-loving
The Maine Coon is an extremely curious cat that doesn’t mind getting wet. It may even like to hang out near the bathtub or sink. Its coat is water-resistant, which is another reason why it tolerates getting wet. Unlike most cat breeds, the Maine Coon won’t jump in the water, but it will sit next to it and enjoy the splash.
This cat breed is actually a descendant of the Norwegian forest cat, which loves water. These cats were kept on Viking ships to keep mice at bay. They eventually crossed with the short-haired domestic cats of Maine, which resulted in the Maine Coon. This water-repellent fur makes them great companions for families with young children.
The Maine Coon has three layers of fur: a thick undercoat and a semi-water-repellent guard coat. This dense fur makes them very warm and protects them from the elements. Although some Maine Coons prefer to swim, others will turn water faucets to play in them.
Despite their water-loving tendencies, Maine Coon cats don’t love water that is stagnant. If you leave stagnant water for long periods of time, it can harbor bacteria and make the cat sick. For this reason, Maine Coons will always check if the water is fresh before playing with it.
Easy to train
Training a Maine Coon is not difficult. They are naturally playful, and will respond well to treats and positive reinforcement. Training should be fun, not stressful, and should take no longer than 15 minutes. The earlier you start, the easier it will be. But be sure to use treats your pet loves and remember to never train your pet too much.
Unlike other cat breeds, Maine Coons do not require extensive training. Maine Coons are quick learners and respond well to clicker training. They also tend to be creatures of habit and are easily trained with patience. It is best to start training your kitten when it is young, as they won’t have the chance to develop any bad habits while they are still kittens.
To begin training a Maine Coon, click a treat every time it sits, then wait until it is calm. Be sure to ignore any other behavior and only reward the desired behavior. Eventually, you’ll be able to associate the reward with the action. It is best to use the command “sit” in conjunction with a hand gesture, so your cat will associate the command with the desired behavior.
One of the main advantages of training your Maine Coon is that they are very intelligent. If you’re looking for a playful companion, this is the right breed for you. Their innate intelligence and obedience make them one of the easiest cat breeds to train.
Colorpoint gene
Colorpoint cats are the result of recessive genes. The colourpoint gene in Mainefield, Maine cats can be traced back to De Richelieu Panda Ring Tip, a white cat with unspecified eye colour. This cat was the first known to carry the colorpoint gene in Maine Coons. The colourpoint gene is rare in Maine Coons and is not present in all of them. However, it is present in many pedigrees of this breed.
It is possible to trace the colorpoint gene back to a foundation cat that came to the United States in the 19th century. This gene was also found in half-siblings, Sundar Reuel of Tufpaws and Sundar Tiffany of Tufpaws. These half-siblings produced two red point kittens, one of which was a colourpoint kitten. A similar mutation was present in Panda Ring Tip’s descendants, but they were advised to neuter these offspring.
Colorpoint cats are a distinct breed with a pointed coat. The Siamese cat is a classic example of a colourpoint cat. However, in Mainefield, there are a few pointed Maine Coons that were accidentally introduced into breeding lines. This was unintended but caused consternation among purists.
Origin of the breed
There are many theories as to the origin of the Maine Coon cat. Some say that the breed originated from wild cats in Norway and was brought to the United States on Viking ships. Others believe that the breed is a hybrid of Angoras and domestic cats. Whatever the true origin, the Maine Coon is a highly desirable breed.
While the origin of the breed is unknown, it is likely that it developed in the Northeast United States. These cats were domesticated cats and were bred to be hardy, large and have a thick coat. They were a popular pet and were even featured in the famous Skowhegan Fair in 1818. Regardless of where they came from, these cats were popular in Maine. Here are some interesting facts about this exotic cat.
The origin of the breed of Maine Coon is largely disputed, but there are some theories as to how they arrived in Maine. One theory is that the Maine Coon originated as six Turkish Angora cats that Marie Antoinette brought to Maine during the French Revolution. The long-haired cats eventually mated with local cats as they anchored in New England.
The first evidence for a rex gene in the Maine Coon dates back to the late 1980s. While the original Maine Coon was unaffected by the “rex” gene, the rexed version was introduced to other breeding lines. These rexed Maine Coons were quickly regarded as genetic curiosity and were exhibited as such. Nonetheless, the GCCF did not recognize the rexed Maine Coon as a distinct breed.
