Maine Coon Colors

Maine Coons not only come in the more standard browns and silvers the most people think of but the breed comes in over 30 or more colors. These colors contain such a variety including blues, blacks, browns, reds, silvers and whites to name a few. The Maine Coon comes in different mixing patterns such as mackerels, shaded, smokes, tabbies, torbies, with white, and even solid colors such as black, blue, red, white and tortoiseshell Maine Coons.

The Main Coon breed's eye color varies but the primary eye colors are green, gold or copper. Blue eyes, or one blue eye with one gold eye, are possible in white coat cats.

Lastly, all Maine Coons share similar facial markings usually with a distinct "M" pattern on the forehead.

Solid Colors:

We have included a list below with all the different color combinations that we've had at the cattery. Some of these combinations may not be available at our cattery anymore due to the retiring of certain Maine Coons. In addition, new colors have been introduced into the cattery but haven't surfaced yet until we have litters from the different combinations of males and females that we have.

Solid colors are harder to come by than some of the other Maine Coons such as mackerels, smokes and tabbies. Solid colors include White, Black, Blue, Red, or Cream. We've had 4 solids born at the cattery since it was started in 2004. One blue, one black (Midnight Express) and two tortoiseshells (considered solids). Both parents had solid colors in their lines which helped produce these solid colored kittens.

Solid Colors At Timberkatz Cattery

Some breeders have waited over 20 years to have a solid in a particular color. The whole situation with this comes down to genetics. If a particular Maine Coon line doesn't have solids and is mated to another Maine Coon line that also doesn't have solids either, the odds are pretty good that your not going to get a solid colored Maine Coon.

On the other hand, if you have two Maine Coon lines in which both have solids in there ancestry. There is a possibility but not guarantee that a solid may be born in a litter. Genetics is what life is about and it's always fun to see what color kittens we may have.

Tabby Patterns:

Traditionally, tabby patterns are more readily available than solid colors. Tabby patterns include Classic Tabby Patterns, Mackerel Tabby Patterns and Patched Tabby Patterns. Here is an explanation of each pattern so that you may better understand this confusing maze of patterns.

Classic Tabby Pattern (from CFA Standards)

The markings dense, clearly defined, and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail evenly ringed. Several unbroken necklaces on neck and upper chest, the more the better. Frown marks on forehead form an intricate letter “M.” Unbroken line runs back from outer corner of eye. Swirls on cheeks. Vertical lines over back of head extend to shoulder markings which are in the shape of a butterfly with both upper and lower wings distinctly outlined and marked with dots inside outline. Back markings consist of a vertical line down the spine from butterfly to tail with a vertical stripe paralleling it on each side, the three stripes well separated by stripes of the ground color. Large solid blotch on each side to be encircled by one or more unbroken rings. Side markings should be the same on both sides. Double vertical rows of buttons on chest and stomach.

Classic Tabby Patterns At Timberkatz Cattery

Mackerel Tabby Pattern (from CFA Standards)

The markings dense, clearly defined, and all narrow pencillings. Legs evenly barred with narrow bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail barred. Necklaces on neck and chest distinct, like so many chains. Head barred with an “M” on the forehead. Unbroken lines running back from the eyes. Lines running down the head to meet the shoulders. Spine lines run together to form a narrow saddle. Narrow pencillings run around body.

Patched Tabby Pattern (from CFA Standards)

A patched tabby (torbie) is an established silver, brown, blue or blue-silver tabby with patches of red or cream.

Patched Tabby Patterns At Timberkatz Cattery