Domestic Longhair vs Maine Coon – it’s the battle of the fluffy cats! The main difference between the Domestic Long Hair (DLH) cat and the Maine Coon is that a Maine coon is a recognised pure breed, but the DLH has a mixed ancestry. The Domestic Long Hair cat is not recognised as a standardised breed anywhere. Because of this, the traits of Maine Coon cats are much more predictable than those of Domestic Longhairs.
Contents
- Domestic Longhair vs Maine Coon history
- How their appearances differ
- Comparing personalities
- Domestic Longhair vs Maine Coon health
- Which breed is easiest to care for?
- A question of cost
Domestic Longhair vs Maine Coon History
The Maine Coon breed dates back to the 1800s in Maine, New England. There are no official records explaining their arrival, but there are certainly lots of theories! This breed was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They experienced a small dip in popularity after this, but they have once again surged in recent years.
The history of the Domestic Longhair cat is a little harder to pin down. There are a lot of theories about where these cats came from. Many people say it came to Europe and America on ships somewhere between the 16th and 17th Centuries.
The Domestic Longhair is not a recognised breed. It has a very mixed ancestry, so each individual cat varies a lot.
Domestic Longhair vs Maine Coon Appearance
Appearance is one of the first things people consider when buying a new kitten. They want a cat that looks cute! But some people have more specific needs – like a cat that doesn’t shed much.
The Maine Coon is a recognised cat breed, so its appearance is predictable. As a cat with very mixed ancestry, the Domestic Longhair cat has no standard appearance. They can look quite different from one another – it all depends on their parents. In fact, some of them look exactly like a Maine Coon!
Maine Coons are large cats that can weigh up to 20 pounds as an adult. Their huge size can seem even bigger thanks to their fur coat. They will have a long, soft coat, that is longest at the tail and front of the body. This longer fur extends into the tufts on top of their ears! Domestic longhairs are generally medium sized cats, and they will always have long fluffy coats too.
These cats have round eyes that can vary in color. Their fur color also varies. Their most common pattern is tabby, but they can be solid colored, bi-colored, or shaded.
The first recorded Maine Coon cat was black and white! These cats come in a huge range of colors, so there’s something for everyone in a Maine Coon coat!
Domestic longhair face shapes will vary depending on their parents, as will the color of their fur. So, you can’t really tell what you’re going to get until your kitten comes along. If you don’t care about appearance, you could still love a Domestic Longhair cat!
Domestic Longhair vs Maine Coon Personality
Maine Coon cats are affectionate towards their owners, but can be aloof with strangers. These cats aren’t known for being hugely vocal, or hyperactive. Maine Coons will be quiet and calm around your home. But, they love hunting if they are let outside. Personality in cats can vary slightly even within standardised breeds. You can even experience differences in genders.
The Domestic Long Hair cat is a mixed breed, so it is much harder to pin down a common temperament. Mixed breeds have much more variation in their personalities. So, you might not know how your Domestic Long Hair will act until you live with it, and watch it grow up.
Generally, you can expect the Domestic Long Hair to be very affectionate towards their owner, with very little owner aggression. They are relatively active cats, and rank somewhere in the middle when it comes to vocal cat breeds.
Domestic Longhair vs Maine Coon Health
There are some issues that are common in long haired cat breeds. But, there are some other potential health problems that new owners should be aware of.
Every cat breed has some health issues that are more common than others. Even the Maine Coon cat breed is prone to some hereditary health issues. Some of these can be screened for before cats are bred. But, you need to be prepared for the potential costs of treatment and care if your Maine Coon does suffer from one of these issues.
- Hip Dysplasia
- Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Patellar Luxation
Many people are in favor of mixed breed cats, because of the scale of genetic diversity, as opposed to a small gene pool. However, mixed breed cats can still be prone to the health problems of their parents.
One study found a connection between long haired cat breeds and an increased risk of hyperthyroidism too.
Getting a Healthy Cat
Every cat breed is prone to some health problems. The best way to get a healthy cat is to use a reputable breeder. Health tests are available for a lot of the biggest problems. So, go to a cat breeder with a long list of questions, and make sure to see any health certificates available.
If you can meet the parent cats, also take a close look at their overall health and personality!
General Care Comparisons
Care is very similar between these breeds. Their fur is so long, you will need to comb it at least twice a week to keep it free of dirt, knots, and tangles. They are also likely to shed a lot.
Long fur also means you may need to clean up hairballs that your cat leaves lying around! If you want to use a litter tray, you will need to clean this very regularly to stop any faecal matter getting stuck in your cat’s fur.
Domestic Longhair vs Maine Coon Price
Kitten prices vary a lot depending on demand, popularity, and trends! They will also vary based on the breeder you use. Rescue center kittens will nearly always cost less than kittens from a breeder, so this is a route to consider if you want to save money. But, avoid pet stores. As these often use breeders that are only in it for profit, and won’t promote healthy kittens.
Generally, Maine Coon cat price is anything from $400 to well over $1000. Domestic Longhair cats will also vary in price. Although, as one of the most common cat breeds in America, they are likely to cost less than a purebred Maine Coon.
Price Isn’t Just Initial Cost
You need to remember that the price of a kitten doesn’t stop at the initial purchase. Maine Coon cats and Domestic Longhairs both have quite high general care needs. You will need to pay for their food and toys throughout their life.
But you will also need to contribute time and money into caring for their long fur. And, vet bills can add up if your cat is unlucky enough to experience any of the health problems we looked at earlier.
Which Cat is the Best Family Pet?
Both of these cat breeds can make great family pets in the right home. Whichever you choose, you will need to be prepared for an affectionate cat that has quite high grooming needs. Neither of these cats are a good choice if you want a cat that doesn’t shed.
The main difference between the Maine Coon and the Domestic Longhair is that DLH cats vary much more in their characteristics. You know pretty much what you are going to get with a Maine Coon cat. But, the traits and health of a DLH will depend on what it inherits from its parent breeds.
If you choose a Domestic Long Hair cat, you need to be prepared for an unpredictable appearance, personality, and general health.
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