I adopted a kitten (born 8/16/98 in Dearborn) with all Maine Coon markings and tabby coloration including the ear tufts,paw tufts and high low body fur but the parents were both with short hairs. Is this a common occurrence or was I just lucky? I can send a digital picture to anyone you advise to confirm this call....

-- Anonymous, December 01, 1998

Answers

Response to Maine Coon Kitten

The longhaired coat is genetically recessive to shorthair, so, yes, it's not uncommon for two short-haired domestic cats to produce a longhair. As for the tabby color and the other features you mention, I think they are more common in the domestic population than, say, the all-one-length coat of the Turkish Angora. (Even Persians have differences in hair length over their bodies -- they're just bred for much, much longer fur than a Maine Coon.)

Hope this casts some light on the subject. Enjoy your kitten!

Regards,

Ambar

-- Anonymous, December 31, 1998