Compare
Cornish Rex vs Maine Coon
A small, slim, high-energy cat with a thin coat against a large, shaggy, easy-going family cat that needs regular brushing.
Verdict
These two differ on size, coat and temperament. The Cornish Rex weighs 6 to 9 lb, has a thin down coat and wants constant play and company. The Maine Coon is Large at 8 to 18 lb, has a shaggy double coat that you brush a few times a week, and rates top marks with children and other pets. Choose the Cornish for a small, intense, people-focused companion in a warm home. Choose the Maine Coon for a big, sociable family cat with room to climb.
Choose the Cornish Rex if
- You want a small cat with little grooming and light shedding.
- You want top-level energy and play.
- You can keep the house warm and have someone home most days.
- You do not want a heart-disease watch-list to plan around.
Choose the Maine Coon if
- You want a large, sociable cat that suits children and other pets.
- You accept regular brushing and heavier seasonal shedding.
- You prefer a moderate energy level and a quiet, chirping voice.
- You will ask the breeder about heart disease, hip dysplasia and spinal muscular atrophy.
Where they are alike
Both are affectionate cats that enjoy being near their people. Both live 12 to 15 years and are recognised by the CFA as championship breeds.
Side by side
| Cornish Rex | Maine Coon | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | Cornwall, England | Maine, United States |
| Size | Small | Large |
| Typical weight | 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg); males are slightly larger | 8-18 lb (3.6-8.2 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Long |
| Coat | Very fine, soft, tightly waved coat of down hair only, with no guard hairs | Shaggy, water-shedding double coat, longer on the ruff, belly and britches |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1964 | Championship breed since 1976 |
| How common | Uncommon | Very common |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 5 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 4 |
| Shedding | 2 | 4 |
| Good with children | 4 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 5 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 3 |
| Trainability | 4 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 3 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The thin coat sheds less hair than most, but allergens come from saliva and skin as well as fur. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Maine Coon's thick coat sheds seasonally, and people who react to cats usually react to this breed too. |
| Suits | An active household that wants a playful, people-loving cat and can keep the home warm. | A family or a household with other pets that wants a large, sociable cat and will brush it a few times a week. |
| Less suited to | A cold house, a home that is empty all day, or anyone who wants a calm lap cat. | A small flat with little room to climb, or anyone who wants a lap cat that stays small. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch | — |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026