Comparison Chart

COMPARISON OF THESE BREEDS

Maine Coon

Norwegian Forest Cat

Siberian

HEAD

Shape

Broad modified wedge

Triangular with straight lines

Broad, modified wedge with gentle rounded contours

Size

Medium

In proportion to body size

Large, impressive 

Frontal Skull/Forehead

Gentle curve

Flat

Slightly curved

Profile

Gentle concave slope. Allow for a slight bump at the end

Straight from top of forehead (brow) to tip of the nose. No break

Top of head is flat; forehead is slightly curved. Nose has a slight curvature and the lower portion to the tip of the nose is slightly concave rather than straight

Cheekbones

High, prominent. Distinct stop can be felt under cheekbones

Not mentioned

Not pronounced

Muzzle

Square

Following the line of the triangular head with no evidence of pinch or snippiness.

Rounded; moderately long

EARS

Size

Large

Medium to Large

Medium to Large

Placement

Close together

Continuation of triangle

1 to 1-1/2 ear widths apart

Shape

Wide at base. Lower base set just slightly further back than upper base. Moderately
pointed.

Wide at base; slightly rounded at tip

Wide at base with rounded tips

Furnishings

Extend horizontally beyond the outer edge of the ear

Extending beyond outer edge of the ear

Long from middle of ear; covering base of ear completely

Lynx Tips

Extend vertically from the top back of the ear

Desirable

Desirable

EYES

Shape

Slightly oval, appear round when wide open

Moderately large, almond shape

Large, almost round

Placement

Wide set

Medium-wide set

Wide set

Neck

Shape/Size

 Sturdy

Heavy musculature

Rounded; well-muscled; substantial; thick

Length

Medium-long

Medium

Medium-long

Body

Shape

Rectangular, but not slender

Sturdy, considerable girth. Males large and
imposing, allowance should be made for females, as they can be considerably smaller than
males.

Substantial; back slightly curved or arched.

Length

Long

Moderate

Moderately long

Size

Large

Males large and
imposing

Not given

Musculature

Substantial and powerful

Substantial and powerful

Substantial

Bone Structure

Substantial

Substantial

Large

Chest

Broad chest

Full chest 

Well-rounded

Hips

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Substantial

TAIL

Shape

Wide at base and tapering to tip with full, flowing hair

Wide at base, tapering to end. Bushy

Wide at base, blunt at tip. Even and thick long hairs drape down from top side of tail

Length

At least as long as the body from shoulders to base of tail.

As long as the body

Medium in length

LEGS

Length

Medium to form a rectangle with the body

Medium to long, in proportion to body

Moderately long

Hind legs

Not mentioned

Hind legs longer than front

Slightly longer than front legs; not noticeable when cat is in motion.

Bone Structure

Substantial

Heavy

 Heavy

Musculature

Substantial

Heavily muscled thighs; substantial lower legs

Substantial

FEET

Shape

Round

Round

Round.

Size

Large

Large

Large

Toe Tufts

Well-tufted

Well-tufted

Desirable

COAT

Length

Uneven; shorter on shoulders, gradually lengthening, long shaggy
britches and belly fur

Uneven

Moderately long to longhaired

Texture

All-weather coat. Coat has distinct body, falling smoothly along body

Coarse

The coat gives the impression of lacquer and oil when
ungroomed

Density

Slight undercoat

Double coat with a feeling of heaviness and depth covered by water repellent
guard hairs.

Tight undercoat, thicker in cold weather

Miscellaneous

Falling smoothly along body

The type and quality of the coat is of primary importance, color and pattern
of coat secondary

Hair on the shoulder blades and
lower part of the chest being thick and slightly shorter

Ruff

Frontal ruff

Full ruff is not expected but should be a frontal ruff beginning at the base of the ears

Abundant

COLOR

Not mentioned
5 points

The type and quality of the coat is of primary importance, color and pattern
of coat secondary
5 points

Clear strong colors and patterns desirable,
but are secondary to type
10 points