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Maine Coon vs Russian Blue
A large, sociable, heavy-coated family cat against a medium, quiet, short-coated cat that stays shy with strangers.
Verdict
These two suit different homes. The Maine Coon is large, long-coated and outgoing, and it is reliably tolerant of children, dogs and other cats. The Russian Blue is smaller, short-coated and quiet, and it bonds closely with its own people while staying reserved with visitors. Choose the Maine Coon for a busy family household with a brush at hand. Choose the Russian Blue for a calm home, a regular routine and less grooming.
Choose the Maine Coon if
- You have children or other pets; it scores 5 for both, against 3 for the Russian Blue.
- You want a large cat of 8-18 lb that still chirps and trills more than it meows.
- You will brush a shaggy double coat a few times a week and accept seasonal shedding.
- You want a cat that stays playful and enjoys following you from room to room.
Choose the Russian Blue if
- You want a short, plush coat that needs light grooming.
- You live in a small flat; it scores 5 for apartments against 3.
- You are out for a workday more often, since it scores 4 for independence.
- You want a quiet, clever cat and can keep visitors to a minimum.
Where they are alike
Both are intelligent, scoring 4 or 5, and both rarely use a loud voice. Each forms a steady bond with its household and suits an indoor life with climbing space and daily play.
Side by side
| Maine Coon | Russian Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Maine, United States | Arkhangelsk region, Russia |
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-18 lb (3.6-8.2 kg); males are larger | About 5-12 lb (2.3-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Long | Short |
| Coat | Shaggy, water-shedding double coat, longer on the ruff, belly and britches | Short, dense, plush double coat; the guard hairs have silver tips |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1976 | — |
| How common | Very common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 3 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 4 | 2 |
| Shedding | 4 | 3 |
| Good with children | 5 | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 5 | 3 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 4 |
| Trainability | 4 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 5 |
| Allergies | 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 | A family or a household with other pets that wants a large, sociable cat and will brush it a few times a week. | A quiet household or a single person who wants a gentle, loyal, clever cat and keeps to a regular routine. |
| Less suited to | A small flat with little room to climb, or anyone who wants a lap cat that stays small. | A noisy house with many visitors, or anyone who wants a cat that greets every guest. |
| 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