Maine Coons - thinking of having one...

[MaryAnnSingleton]

ok, we were thinking of having a dog but ds is so keen on a cat that I think we'll go for one instead -I've always wanted a Maine coon -partly because of their dog-like characteristics- has anyone any experience of them ? i've had cats before -usually short haired,and I've a feeling that dh will fuss about fluff !

Our neighbours have one called Raggy. She's just lovely.

Why not just a lovely domestic moggie? There are thousands of lovely cats out there waiting for new homes, please consider a rescue. If you got an adult cat rather than a kitten you would get a better idea about their longer term personality too.

I would love one. I have a friend with a cat who is half maine coon, and he is lovely, really nice personality, and gorgeous fluffy coat.

I have heard that Abbyssinians are the most dog like cats.

Anyone know whether a Maine Coon would be OK with some existing moggies? I know any new cat needs to settle in btu wonder if an MC might dominate other cats?

definitely think about getting a rescue moggy. there are so many out there that I'm sure a rescue centre could match you up with one who has the sort of personality you're after.

One of our rescue moggies is rather canine in nature. He comes when called, walks to heel when we go out, plays fetch, and seeks out human company much more than most cats.

I've got two Maine Coons - they're just lovely. They are the most placid, gentle giants. They're very clever though and you can train them to "fetch" (if you have the time!).

blouse I've just got a non-Maine Coon kitten. She's already ruling the roost as the Maine Coons aren't very "fighty". I'd say the an MC would be more likely to be dominated. They're gentle giants really.

Oddly, my next door neighbour also has a Maine Coon and he's just lovely too. He's a bit more "cat-like" than my two but, again, he's a big old lah-lah too.

My neighbours' cats are rescue cats. A Maine Coon and a ginger tom. They are dogs in cats' bodies. They go for walks, are obedient, play fetch etc. They are also spoilt rotten.

We have two rescue cats and they're definitely cats but very, very friendly and affectionate with us. Out of the house they are either predators or snooty.

Oh, and I wanted rescue cats when I got mine but the "terms" laid down by the Blue Cross (including blocking the chimney when I had an open fire and completely enclosing the garden) were too stringent for me. The Cats Protection League wouldn't even consider me because of where I lived...

Maine Coon next door is very placid. Definitely does not dominate. There are lots of cats here (live on a farm) and the Maine Coon is the easiest going and most likely to roll over. The ginger tom is the boss.

Good point. Ours were rescued from another farm but the charities would not have considered us as we rent and have a child. The rules are very strict. And you do have to pay for a rescue cat too which is right and proper but offered the choice a lot of people will go with friends/friends of friends who have kittens.

Yes- am also considering rescue cats and there is a Maine coon rescue, so would obviously go there first- my previous much loved BSH cat was a rescue and the loveliest cat ever.

I have had 2 in the past and they are adorable!Lovely temperaments and talk all the time.They grow quite big and are sweet natured and soooooo loving.I have a silver prsian chinchilla now and he is very similar in character.

We used to breed them!! my mum had a beautiful Blue tabby girl and then her daughter (brown tabby) became my gorgeous pet for 18 years

My brown tabby MC lived along side 4 non-pedigree cats with no problems at all. She was very laid back, hardly ever chased a bird or anything.

THey do seem to be chunky and heavily built compared to others but dont' (IME) use their size to dominate.

I miss Keeley terribly she was brilliant and mum no longer breeds. there was a lovely breeder in the Brum area called Mrs Lendon who is very helpful and nice

thanks - all very helpful !

My Dh had 2 MC when we moved in together, one used to wait at the train station all day -having followed us there in am - to escort us home. Sadly she got run over in the train station car park.

When we moved we got a lovely 1 yr old from MC rescue, much nicer than either of my DHs MC who were very aloof and cat like. Copper (was a red tabby called Marrietta but I had to change it) was really dog like, played fetched, sat, shook paws, etc from fairly minimal training - easier than my mad dog anyway.

Sadly she died a few years ago, outlived by one of DHs miserable MC who is still morosely solidiering on.

I would only get one if you can make time to groom daily.

thanks mortified - grooming would be ds's job !
Sorry to hear about Copper - sounded a fab cat.

She was, thank you.

I've had lots of animals in my life from ponies to hamsters and she is one of the few that made a big impact.

She slept outside dd's room and would come down if dd cried and was my bf pillow for both dc, as soon as I started feeding she used to squish under the dc on my lap and purr loudly.

When dd was older she used to sit behind her on her chair at breakfast so DD wouldn't forget to pour some leftover milk into her bowl. Thats how we knew to look for her when she wasn't waiting on dds chair.

aww