Maine Coon Breeders

How To Find Your New Kitten

by: Carrie Profenno: Author, Mainer, Maine Coon Mama, editor of The Maine Coon Magazine

by: Carrie Profenno - Author, Mainer, Maine Coon Mama, editor of The Maine Coon Magazine

All about Maine Coon Breeders. Our companion page, Maine Coon Cat Breeders, is all about the importance of finding a responsible breeder, and what to look for.

So how do you know if you've found a great breeder? And where do you go to find Maine Coon kittens for sale? And how to avoid being taken in by a kitten scam?

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Reputable Maine Coon breeders will help you find a gorgeous kitten like Azelin

Not all breeders are created equal! It's not hard to find a great breeder, one who has passion for breeding and showing cats. One that has true love for animals. You just need to know what to look for.

If you are going through the trouble to research Maine Coon breeders (as you should be!) then you are a true animal lover. You'll recognize another.

For example, one phrase to look for is the term "raised under foot."

It means that the kittens were beloved members of the family, well socialized, spending time in the main areas of the home.

They know how to accept and return human affection! They were not secluded to their own quarters.

The whole time the breeder has had them, he or she has been training them in the ways of being a happy, well-adjusted, friendly, social Maine Coon. This is exactly what you are looking for!

The practice of showing cats, and breeding to a standard is a unique subject, and it's what sets the real, or authentic, breeders apart.

It's not sufficient for anyone who happens to have a Maine Coon to breed them and sell them. There is a name for that:

Backyard Breeders;
Not The Maine Coon Breeders You're Looking For

Have you heard of this term? "Backyard breeders" refers to people who have Maine Coon kittens for sale, but they are not the kind of breeders you want to support.

They have pet quality cats, probably bought with a spay/neuter agreement, which they have clearly gone against. A spay/neuter agreement means that they agreed, in writing, to spay or neuter their kitten at the proper age.

They don't understand all the intricacies of "breeding to a standard," much less what the Maine Coon cat breed standard even is.

They simply have come upon access to purebred cats (or maybe a lookalike), and are breeding them. Breeding isn't their passion, their life's work, it's just something they do "on the side."

They don't show their cats (biggest clue), don't screen for hereditary diseases, and don't belong to the Maine Coon Cat Clubs which reputable breeders do.

The genetics, and general health of their kittens may be questionable, as well as the physical traits, and personality characteristics.

In a nutshell, if a kitten is born who is a truly great example of the breed, worthy of passing on it's genetics to future generations, it will be marked for breeding/showing by it's breeder, who may keep it for breeding and showing, or sell it to a trusted colleague, with "breeding rights".

No one who buys a purebred kitten from a breeder should be breeding without that breeder's input, consent and advice.

In our Cat Questions section, a reader asks: "I have a female Maine Coon which I would like to breed with a male Maine Coon in the near future. Do you or do you know of anyone who can provide a stud?"

And a breeder helpfully answers: "I can tell you that breeding quality cats is very expensive not to mention very time consuming... If you have a Maine Coon cat, male or female and you do not have breeding rights then you are not supposed to be breeding your cat, period!

If your bought your cat from a reputable breeder then you signed a contract saying you would have your kitten spayed/neutered.

To breed without breeding rights makes you unethical and dishonest. When a kittens papers are filed with the cat associations (CFA and TICA) they will come back as "Not for breeding" on the certificate."

... read full thread here: Looking for a Male for Breeding

Finding Reputable Maine Coon Breeders:

How do you go about finding Maine Coon kittens for sale from breeders? There are a few ways. One is to go to a cat show in your area.

There won't be litters of Maine Coon kittens for sale there, but there will be top-notch Maine Coon breeders, and you'll get to see some of their gorgeous show cats.

This is a great way to meet breeders, ask questions, and get to know the process.

You can ask about planned or upcoming litters, and breeders will be happy to refer you to a colleague if they are a better fit to what you are looking for in a kitten, whether that means timing, location, or physical preferences.

Another way is to use our extensive Maine Coon Cat Breeders Directory.

Then visit some of the websites listed, as well as our Maine Coon Breeders and catteries hub page for lots more about choosing a breeder, things to look for at the cattery, and questions to ask. You'll be well prepared!

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