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
.
