Maine
Coon Cats that are Polydactyl
By
Janet Marr & Corine Lundqvist
The
Maine Coon Cat is
America
’s
only natural longhaired cat.
By definition these cats were the blue collar-working
cats from the farms, harbors and aboard the ships of colonial
America
.
It is estimated that 40% of the original Maine Coon Cats
had extra toes or were polydactyl.
These extra toes made the cat’s foot act like a hand
with an opposable thumb. The
farmers, dock workers and pirates treasured these polydactyl
cats for their hunting ability.
Since these Maine Coon Cats are a working breed of cats
the breed standard should reflect this strength.
Some
written breed standards for dogs have specific toe
configurations that aid in the type of work the dog was bred to
perform(for more details see http://perso.wanadoo.fr/corine.lundqvist/polydogs.html
).
The Maine Coon Cat standard should be written with the same
considerations to the cat's function as the canine standard.
The
FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) which is a
world wide Dog
Association and the AKC (American Kennel Club) have specific
requirements for polydactyl dogs.
In FCI, for example the Beauce Sheepdog (Berger de Beauce),
Briad (Berger de Brie), Lundehund, Montagnes des Pyrenrees,
Berger des Pyrenees, Pynenean Mastiff, Estrela Mountain Dog (Cao
da Serra da Estrela) and Bergerd’Islande all have requirements
for double dewclaws on the front or back legs.
The AKC has similar requirements for some dog breeds in
the Herding Group, Working Group and Miscellaneous Class.
These breeds include the Briad, Great Pyrnees, Beauceron,
and Anatotian Shepherd Dog.
These canine standards specifically state that dogs will
be disqualified for a lack of double dewclaw on the front or
rear leg. According
to the AKC the Briard standard calls for the dog to be
“vigorous and alert, powerful without coarseness, strong in
bone and muscle exhibiting the strength and agility required of
the herding dog… dewclaws on forelegs may not be removed…two
dewclaws are required on each rear leg, placed low on the leg,
giving a wide base to the foot… Ideally the dewclaws form
additional functioning toes.
A disqualification for the Briard is anything less than
two dewclaws on each rear leg.” This supports the notion that
polydactylism is a very common trait in dogs, and is not
considered as a health issue.
The trait is generally required where dogs need to walk
in snow and uneven ground. The Great Pyrenees are required to
Exhibit “a unique elegance of bearing and movement, his
soundness and coordination show unmistakably the purpose for
which he has been bred, the strenuous work of guarding the
flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of
the Pyrenees"
Using
the rationale of the dog standards it is reasonable for the
Maine Coon Cat’s standard to make allowances for their job
description. For
centuries their job was to control our rodent population in
harsh climates. The
breed standard for these cats should read:Legs are substantial,
wide set, of medium length, and in proportion to the body.
Paws large, round, well tufted with four toes and one
dewclaw in front; four toes in back.
Allowances should be made for the polydactyl cat with up
to two extra toes on each leg.
Disqualification should be made for any cat without
dewclaws on either of the front legs.
Natural selection equipped the Maine Coon and especially
the Maine Coon Polydactyl to survive as a strong rugged working
cat. It is only
right to judge them as they evolved in the harsh natural
environment of Northern America.
Any part of
this site may only be reproduced with the permission of owner of
Furkats Maine Coon Cattery
