Compare
Maine Coon vs Tonkinese
A large, long-coated, calm-voiced family cat against a medium, short-coated, more talkative and more clingy one.
Verdict
Size, grooming and time alone make the difference. The Maine Coon is large, shaggy and fairly self-sufficient, and it needs brushing a few times a week. The Tonkinese is medium, short-coated and needs almost no grooming, but it scores 1 for independence and talks more. Both are excellent with children and other pets. Choose the Maine Coon for a big cat that tolerates some time alone. Choose the Tonkinese if someone is home much of the day and you want a playful, clever, easy-care cat.
Choose the Maine Coon if
- You want a large cat of 8-18 lb with a quiet, chirping voice.
- You are out for some of the day; it scores 3 for independence against 1.
- You will brush a thick double coat several times a week.
- You want a very common breed that is easy to find.
Choose the Tonkinese if
- You want a short, silky coat that needs almost no grooming.
- You are home much of the day, because the breed is prone to loneliness and boredom.
- You like a moderately talkative, playful cat that scores 5 for intelligence.
- You live in a home with less climbing room; it scores 4 for apartments.
Where they are alike
Both score 5 for children and for other pets, so either suits a lively household. Each is a championship breed with the CFA and has a short, specific watch-list for your vet to explain.
Side by side
| Maine Coon | Tonkinese | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Maine, United States | Canada and the United States |
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-18 lb (3.6-8.2 kg); males are larger | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | Typically 12-16 years |
| Coat length | Long | Short |
| Coat | Shaggy, water-shedding double coat, longer on the ruff, belly and britches | Medium-short, close-lying, fine, silky coat with a lustrous sheen |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1976 | Championship breed since 1984 |
| How common | Very common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 5 |
| Energy | 3 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 4 |
| Grooming needed | 4 | 1 |
| Shedding | 4 | 2 |
| Good with children | 5 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 5 | 5 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 1 |
| Trainability | 4 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 4 |
| 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 family or a person at home much of the day that wants a sociable, clever, moderately talkative cat. |
| Less suited to | A small flat with little room to climb, or anyone who wants a lap cat that stays small. | Anyone out for long hours; the breed is prone to loneliness and boredom. |
| Registries that recognise it |
|
|
| Health conditions to watch |
|
|
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