Sun O'er Sea Maine Coons
Abigail Greene's Guide to Owning and Caring for a Maine Coon Cat.
One of the best sources of common care questions for the breed.
Free Access (Borrow): here
This is THE book for cat breeding, Maine Coons included. I can't recommend it enough. If we do a breeder-specific course, this will be in the book list.
Walk with me through the history of the Maine Coon Cat as we visit the myths of our origins and turn back time to the first record of a MCO at a show in 1890s New York, USA. We will read excerpts from Simpson's The Book of the Cat (1903) showcasing the history of the Maine Coon Cat's development, view longhairs in the CFA Stud Books, explore feline genetics and foundation catteries of the breed in the decades following recognition, and view a list of distinguished merit cats (modeling briefly for breeders how to line-chase). We will also cover modern misconceptions and reassert the argument of the breed as a natural American breed. Included in the first unit of this class are lecture notes and archived breed histories.
Carol Himsel Daly's Guide to the Maine Coon Cat (1995) remains my personal guidebook.
Free Access (Borrow): here
Marilis Hornidge's seminal work, That Yankee Cat (1986), later reprinted as The Yankee Cat, should be on the shelf of every breeder, veterinarian, and enthusiast.
Free Access (Borrow): here
Recommended: Maine Coon Book List
Resources:
Lecture Notes and Sources v.1: here
Web Links
List of DM Cats for Line-Chasers: here
Maine Coon Catteries of the Past: here
"American Native Longhair": here
PPTs
Class One PowerPoint: The Maine Coon Cat Breed History.pptm
YouTube Videos of Class (Live 3rd & 10th)
Class One: https://youtu.be/UUxoLCgl3UE
Class Two:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2O5MmTmxCk
Jan 3 & Jan 10 at 8PM EST on TEAMS (Limit: 20)
Maine Coon Class: Preserving America's Natural Breed, A History
Sharyn P. Bass (1983) provides a comprehensive overview of the breed and includes excellent information on health and care.
Free Access (Borrow): here
Link to Sign-Up: here.