If a cat has ever walked into a room and made you do a double take at its sheer size, there's a decent chance it was a Maine Coon, or had one somewhere in the family tree. They're the largest commonly kept domestic cat breed, and the only long haired breed that actually originated in the United States.

A native New Englander

Maine Coons are considered the oldest natural cat breed in the country, developed without much human intervention in the harsh winters of New England, which is a big part of why they ended up so physically equipped for cold weather: a long, water resistant double coat, tufted paws that work like built in snowshoes, and a heavy tail they can wrap around themselves like a scarf. Long before formal cat shows existed, a Maine Coon named Cosey won Best in Show at the first North American cat show, held at Madison Square Garden in 1895. The breed didn't reach full championship status with the Cat Fanciers' Association until 1976, after a dedicated breed club spent years building the case for it.

How big is "big"

Female Maine Coons typically run 12 to 15 pounds, and it's genuinely common for males to reach 18 to 22 pounds or more, on a frame built long and rectangular rather than round. Combined with tufted ears, a ruff around the neck, and a squared off muzzle, the overall look is part bobcat, part house cat, which is exactly the impression that fueled old folk tales about the breed being part raccoon (biologically impossible, but a fun explanation for the name).

Personality: often called "the dog of the cat world"

Despite the size, Maine Coons are known for being unusually gentle and sociable, following people from room to room, greeting guests, and getting along well with other pets and children. Instead of the classic meow, they're known for chirps and trills, a distinctive, almost bird like way of talking. Many genuinely enjoy water, tolerating baths, or even playing in a sink, better than most cats ever will.

What the size actually means day to day

A cat this large needs a few practical accommodations: a litter box roomy enough that they're not folding themselves in half to use it, a cat tree sturdy enough to hold real weight, and, because Maine Coons are prone to putting on extra pounds if underexercised, regular interactive play rather than assuming their size will just take care of itself. Their coat is thick but not as prone to matting as it looks, two or three short combing sessions a week is usually enough to keep it in shape.

They're a big commitment in the most literal sense, and for a lot of owners, that's exactly the appeal.

Sources: Maine Coon Cat, The Cat Fanciers’ Association; Hepper, 12 Surprising Maine Coon Facts; Maine Coon Cat Breed, cats.com. Photograph by valera0053 on Pexels.