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ShowDogsWest Editor
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ShowDogsWest Editor

The site owner and editor of ShowDogsWest, an independent publication about everyday dog and cat care. Articles and tools are educational and are not a veterinary consultation. Source and correction information is available in our editorial policy.

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About the Publisher

The site owner and editor of ShowDogsWest, an independent publication about everyday dog and cat care. Articles and tools are educational and are not a veterinary consultation. Source and correction information is available in our editorial policy.

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ShowDogsWest documents its sourcing, corrections, update process and standards for pet-health content in the editorial policy. Read the editorial policy.

Latest Publications

209 Articles
Maine Coon mix cat with tufted ears and a plumed tail beside a feline genetics guide on a wooden floor Cat Breeds

What Is a Maine Coon Mixed With? Genetics, Common Crosses, and Identification Guide

When determining what a Maine Coon is mixed with, the genetic reality is that a Maine Coon mix is a domestic cat with one purebred Maine Coon parent and one non-pedigreed domestic cat (such as a Domestic Longhair or Shorthair) or another cat breed. Major feline registries like the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA) do not recognize crossbreeding, so there are no official designer hybrids. Most mixed cats result from accidental matings or non-pedigreed domestic lineages, inheriting a blend of traits like lynx-tipped ears, a sturdy rectangular body, a bushy plumed tail, and a gentle, dog-like temperament.

Sep 27, 2026 13 min read
A brown classic tabby Maine Coon cat displaying a full coat and lynx ear tufts illustrating breed color varieties. Cat Breeds

What Color Are Maine Coon Cats? Complete Breed Color & Pattern Guide

Maine Coon cats come in over 75 recognized color and pattern combinations, spanning solid coats (black, white, blue, red, and cream), classic and mackerel tabbies, smokes, shaded silvers, calicos, and tortoiseshells. When prospective owners ask what color are maine coon cats, official registries like the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA) accept virtually all natural feline coat varieties, excluding only those that indicate hybridization, such as chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, and colorpoint patterns.

Sep 26, 2026 14 min read
The biggest Maine Coon cat resting beside a measuring tape highlighting exceptional feline length and size. Cat Breeds

What Is the Biggest Maine Coon Cat? Size Records, Weight, and Breed Limits

In answering what is the biggest Maine Coon cat on record, official documentation recognizes Stewie (Mymains Stewart Gilligan), who measured 123 cm (48.5 inches) from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Typical healthy adult males measure 38 to 40 inches in total length and weigh 15 to 25 pounds, while slow skeletal maturation extends development up to 5 years.

Sep 25, 2026 6 min read
Full body view of a large adult Maine Coon cat showing its rectangular body, shaggy coat, and bushy tail. Cat Breeds

What Does a Maine Coon Look Like? Complete Visual Identification Guide

A Maine Coon is a massive, rugged cat characterized by a rectangular muscular body, a visibly square muzzle, high-set pointed ears with lynx tips, and an exceptionally bushy plumed tail that reaches its shoulders. When identifying what does a maine coon look like, key visual hallmarks include a multi-layered shaggy double coat with a lion-like frontal ruff, broad chest, heavy bone structure, and oversized round paws with dense fur tufts between the toes. Adult males typically weigh 15 to 25 pounds, while females weigh 10 to 15 pounds, taking three to five full years to reach complete physical maturity.

Sep 24, 2026 13 min read
A magnificent male King German Shepherd standing on a green lawn showing its giant build and straight back Dog Breeds

What Is a King German Shepherd? (Origins, Size, and Breed Traits)

A "King German Shepherd", properly known as the King Shepherd, is a giant hybrid dog breed developed in the United States during the 1990s by crossing German Shepherds with Alaskan Malamutes, Great Pyrenees, and Shiloh Shepherds. Standing 27 to 32 inches tall and weighing up to 150 pounds, the King Shepherd is significantly larger, heavier-boned, and calmer than a standard purebred German Shepherd, though it is not recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club.

Sep 23, 2026 11 min read
An adult brown tabby Maine Coon cat demonstrating feline intelligence with an interactive wooden puzzle toy. Behavior & Training

Are Maine Coons Smart? The Truth About Maine Coon Intelligence & Trainability

So, are Maine Coons smart? Yes, Maine Coons rank among the most intelligent domestic cat breeds, characterized by sharp spatial problem-solving skills, strong social attunement, and high trainability. Often referred to as the dogs of the cat world, they readily learn household routines, interactive tricks, fetch, and harness walking through positive reinforcement.

Sep 22, 2026 11 min read
Purebred adult German Shepherd standing alert outdoors displaying official breed standard physical characteristics Dog Breeds

How to Tell if a German Shepherd Is Purebred: Complete Identification Guide

Knowing how to tell if a German Shepherd is purebred involves evaluating four core pillars: physical breed standards, behavioral traits, certified pedigree paperwork, and canine DNA testing. A purebred German Shepherd exhibits erect pointed ears, dark almond-shaped eyes, a dense weather-resistant double coat, a bushy low-set tail, and a length-to-height body ratio of 10 to 8.5. While visual characteristics confirm breed conformity in mature dogs, definitive verification requires registration certificates from recognized kennel clubs like the AKC or SV, or an accredited genetic test panel.

Sep 21, 2026 12 min read
Adult brown tabby Maine Coon cat exhibiting vocalization through a soft chirp in a living room Behavior & Training

Are Maine Coons Vocal? Sounds, Personality, and Why They Talk

Yes, Maine Coons are known for being vocal, communicative cats, but they rarely produce loud, demanding meows. Instead, they use a soft, melodic vocabulary of high-pitched chirps, trills, and gentle squeaks to greet their owners, express excitement, and initiate conversational dialogue. Their talkative nature reflects their highly social temperament and close attachment to human families.

Sep 20, 2026 10 min read
Large brown tabby Maine Coon cat showing its playful personality in a sunlit living room Behavior & Training

What Is the Personality of Maine Coon Cats? Temperament and Trait Guide

In understanding what is the personality of Maine Coon cats, the breed stands out for an affectionate, easygoing, and sociable nature that earned them the title of gentle giants. They are highly intelligent, people-oriented, and playful without being clingy. Maine Coons converse with soft chirps and trills, adapt easily to homes with children and dogs, and often display dog-like habits such as playing fetch and investigating water.

Sep 19, 2026 7 min read
A Maine Coon cat tapping a shallow water basin with its front paw in a regionally lit living room Behavior & Training

Do Maine Coon Cats Like Water? The Truth About Their Water Obsession

Yes, most Maine Coon cats genuinely like water due to a 2-layer, water-repellent double coat and a maritime working heritage developed in 19th-century New England. Their dense undercoat and oily guard hairs insulate their skin from moisture, driving common behaviors like dipping paws into 1 to 2 inches of water, batting at dripping sink faucets, and investigating showers.

Sep 18, 2026 9 min read