Domestic Longhair Cat Vs Maine Coon : What Are The Differences?

The two most widely owned cat breeds include the domestic longhair cat (DLH) and Maine coon.

Appearance-wise, both of these cat breeds seem identical and replicas of each other, barring a difference or two. However, it is not valid.

If you place the two cats side-by-side, you will come to know that there are many physical differences between the two.

One of the most visible differences in the hair density and length of the hair. Apart from this difference, read on to know the other ways to distinguish the two cat breeds.

What are the main differences between Domestic longhair cat vs. Maine coon?

 

While comparing the two cat breeds, there are both similarities and differences which are difficult to notice.

Below is a brief comparison table listing the significant differences between the domestic longhair cat and the Maine coon to help you out with this.

Parameters & Cat Breed Domestic Longhair Cat Maine Coon
Breed type Not pure (the result of the mixing of several cat types) Pure breed
Average Height (Adult) 11-12 inches 10-16 inches
Average Weight (Adult) 8-15 pounds 10-25 pounds
Lifespan 10-17 years 9-15 years
Average exercise time per day 15-2 minutes 10-15 minutes
Grooming needs Moderate High
Nature Friendly Friendly
Behavior with other pets Friendly Friendly
Ease of training Intelligent and not stubborn Intelligent but stubborn
Diseases usually prone to Kidney disease, Arthritis, Cancer, upper respiratory infections, etc. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, spinal muscular atrophy, etc.

The above table summarizes the differences between the two cat breeds.

Domestic longhair cat vs. Maine coon appearance

If you notice, the long hairs make it tough to tell which breed a specific cat is. In terms of appearance, the Maine coon is an exceptionally colossal cat, while the domestic longhair is of medium size.

While the Maine Coon will ordinarily weigh around 9 and 18 pounds, it isn’t strange to hear examples of 25 and even 30 pounds (rare) Maine coon.

The Domestic Longhair, at that point, will weigh eight and fifteen pounds. Besides, the rear of the Maine Coon is comparably longer, averaging 16 inches to the Domestic Longhair 12.

In terms of body state, the Maine Coon appears as “solid,” which separates it from the more conventional “smooth” cat state of the Domestic Longhair.

While the two cats can have identical shading, the Maine Coon has a layer of varying lengths, while the Domestic Longhair will reliably give a much more even length.

The awkwardness of the Maine Coon’s jacket accomplishes a less uniform look to the model.

While “shaggy” is regularly familiar to the Main Coon’s body coat. While the two breeds can have ear tufts correspondingly as neck ruffs, the Maine Coon will regularly have more noteworthy and more explicit varieties of these traits.

The two breeds can have all the similar breeds’ earmarks, yet overall, they have extraordinarily various highlights visible to the only cautious observer.

Because of its rich natural arrangement, the Domestic Longhair can have either a contracted face or an extended nose.

The Maine Coon will dependably have a straight nose that isn’t level. The Maine Coon is also famous for its monster size eyes, mostly when young.

Domestic longhair cat vs. Maine coon history

While choosing any animal breed, its history may not form a good discussion topic; it’s interesting to know a bit about it. So, let’s learn something about the history of these two cat breeds.

The history of the Maine coon breed is more significant and among the talkings than that of the domestic longhairs.

First, the history of the Maine coon dates back to the 1800s in Maine, England. Yes, the origin of the Maine coon is Maine in England, and that’s how it got its name.

However, there are no firm records to tell who brought the cat for the first time. Still, the period between the late 1800s and early 1900s is about the Maine coon breed when its popularity went up.

For the history of the domestic longhair breed, it’s the same. Nothing much conclusive is present for research and study.

But it’s a firm fact that the breed came to Europe and America via ships somewhere between the 16th and 17th centuries.

It’s not a pure breed and mix of multiple cat types. Hence, each long domestic hair appears unique to the other.

Domestic longhair cat vs. Maine coon personality

 

The Maine Coon is a brilliant family cat with the merits of those pack animals. They love to sit adjacent with individuals they love and are once in a while glad to welcome strangers.

Maine Coons are in the like way famous for their habit of literally “talking” in a fundamentally brilliant way with their owners.

They, by and large, have a caring nature and are portrayed as sweet, silly, and turbulent. The Maine Coon is moreover uncommon among cats as they are generally neutral in the water.

While it is conceivable to meet the Domestic Longhair cats that will genuinely have to go in the water. Some cats from the Maine Coon breed will continually like peering out water and juggling with it. 

The Domestic Longhairs, peculiarly, show much genetic diversity concerning their personality as they do like impressions.

Domestic Longhairs are reluctant, lovely, social, joyful, attentive, passive, and bound.

They, in like way, have gained notoriety for talkativeness to people, but they don’t do as, for instance, commonly as the Maine Coon do. Nor DLHs show a practically identical version of vocalizations as the Maine Coon do.

The breed is additionally not dependable to relish or peer out water than the Maine cooking.

In general, the Maine Coon will remain fiery during playtime; the Domestic Longhair will treat their playtime as a dangerous affirmed issue.

Domestic longhair cat vs. Maine coon health

Every animal is prone to some health issues over its lifespan, and the two cat breeds aren’t unique to this.

To start with, the Maine cat is prone to severe health issues (but not more than DLH). Due to this, the cat goes through a thorough checkup before breeding.

But still, the cat will suffer from some issues listed below whose treatments will generate a lot of cost for you.

The common health issues a Maine coon cat is prone to include Hip Dysplasia, Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Patellar Luxation, etc.

Hence, you should know about this expense before bringing such a cat home.

It’s a common misconception that mixed breed animals are less prone to health problems. It’s true to some extent, but even the domestic longhair mixed breed will suffer from any of these health issues.

These include cardiomyopathy, kidney problems, obesity, etc. The only positive about the domestic longhair cat is that the cat will not generate hefty treatment costs as in the Maine coon cats’ case.

Domestic longhair cat vs. Maine coon price comparison

A pet’s price depends upon various factors like size, breed, breeder, demand, etc. Plus, the cats obtained from a rescue center will cost you way less than what it will cost if you opt for a breeder for the deal.

The most crucial point to note here is that you’d avoid pet stores at any cost as they only look for money and aren’t interested in the pet’s health.

On average, Maine coon breed will cost you anything between $400 and $1000. And since the domestic longhair breed isn’t pure and commonly available in America, it’ll cost much lower than the Maine coon.

Another thing to note here is that the overall cost of the cat you’ll purchase won’t include the cost you’ll incur afterward.

Domestic longhair cat vs. Maine coon: which one should you get?

Now comes the most awaited question: which one should you get out of the two options? Domestic longhair or Maine coon?

Well, both these breeds are suitable for families and kids as these cats are human-friendly, caring, and loving. But besides these characteristics, you need to understand the various expenses these cats have.

These include health expenses, grooming needs, food requirements, and so on. If you want a cat that doesn’t shed, none of the two fulfills this criterion.

So, both will need frequent grooming sessions. Next, the DLH cats vary much more in terms of characteristics as they are not pure.

Be it anything out of these, bringing home a cat of either breed is a challenging affair for you. So, be mindful of everything before finalizing the cat for your family.

Conclusion

Both the domestic longhair breed and the Maine coon breed share an identical breeding history to some extent.

They have a decent fur volume, resistance to cold and harsh weather, and extraordinary mousing skills. Yet, both breeds are awesomely distinct in an assortment of parameters.

For example, the Maine coon possesses unique physical traits and a challenging personality. On the other hand, the domestic longhair has good genetic health but not so severe first impression.

Considering the various similarities and differences between the two cat breeds, either of the two can become a part of your family.

But remember to ensure your chosen breed can abide by your living situation, family traits, and other things.

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