Maine Coon x Persian: The ‘Maintenance’ Nightmare#

Historically, breeders in the 1950s did cross Persians into Maine Coon lines to improve coat length. Today, however, this mix is usually an accident—and it is a high-maintenance one.

The Maine Coon x Persian combines two very different coat types and two very different head shapes. The result is often a beautiful, sweet cat that requires professional grooming every 6 weeks.

The Coat: Cotton vs. Silk#

Persian: Has a “Double Coat” that is incredibly long, dense, and cottony. It mats if you look at it sideways.
Maine Coon: Has a “All-Weather” coat that is silkier and sheds water.

The Mix: You usually get the Persian Undercoat with the Maine Coon Length. This creates a coat that felts close to the skin.

The Danger: These mixes are prone to “shell matting,” where the fur looks fine on top but forms a solid hard layer against the skin. You must check the roots daily.

The Head: Brachycephalic vs. Muzzle#

Persian: Flat face (Brachycephalic). Deep “break” in the nose.
Maine Coon: Long, square muzzle. Gentle slope.

The Mix: Genetically, the “Normal” length nose is dominant over the “Flat” face. Most mixes will have a nose, but it will be shorter than a purebred Maine Coon.

Health Bonus: This mix rarely suffers from the breathing issues (Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome) of the pure Persian, because the Maine Coon genes pull the nose out just enough to open the airways.

The “Silver” Connection#

Both breeds are famous for their Silver and Smoke colors. If you breed a Chinchilla Persian to a Silver Tabby Maine Coon, you will get spectacular High Silver kittens. The Inhibitor ($I$) gene is dominant in both breeds (see our Inhibitor Guide), so the sparkling white undercoat is almost guaranteed.

Conclusion#

This is a cat for people who love grooming. They are placid, sweet, and decorative. But if you skip a week of brushing, you will be at the vet for a sedated shave-down.

References#

Pedersen, N.C. (1991). Feline Husbandry. “Developmental Anomalies: Brachycephalic,” p. 114.
Vella, C. et al. (1999). Robinson’s Genetics. “Long Hair Genetics,” p. 130.
Walsh, L.G. (2013). The Maine Coon Cat. “History of the Breed” (Early Persian crosses), p. 39.
CFA. Persian Breed Standard.
Gebhardt, R. The Complete Cat Book.