Maine Coon vs. Norwegian Forest Cat: Spot the Difference#

The Maine Coon (USA) and the Norwegian Forest Cat (Norway) are the Vikings of the cat world. They are both big, fluffy, and built for snow. To the average person, they look the same. To a breeder, they are as different as a Bulldog and a Greyhound.

If you are trying to figure out which breed you are looking at (or which one to buy), you need to ignore the fur and look at the structure.

1. The Head Shape (The Triangle vs. The Box)#

This is the #1 giveaway.

Maine Coon: Has a Square muzzle. It looks boxy and broad.
Norwegian Forest Cat (Wegie): Has an Equilateral Triangle head shape. The chin is pointed, not square.

2. The Profile (The Nose)#

Turn the cat to the side.

Maine Coon: Has a gently curved profile (a concave slope from forehead to nose).
Wegie: Has a completely straight profile (Grecian profile). It runs in a straight line from their brow to their nose tip.

The Profile Test: Maine Coons have a scoop (left), while Wegies have a straight line (right).

3. The Coat Texture#

Maine Coon: Shaggy, uneven, and slightly oily. It is designed to be “rugged.”
Wegie: Has a double coat that feels more “woolly” and waterproof, with a very dense undercoat. It often looks more groomed and uniform than the shaggy Coon.

4. Personality#

Maine Coon: The “Golden Retriever.” Goofy, clumsy, loves water, follows you everywhere.
Wegie: The “Silent Watcher.” They are friendly but more independent. They prefer to sit high up (on top of cabinets) and survey their kingdom, whereas Maine Coons prefer the floor or sofa.

Conclusion#

Both breeds are spectacular.

Choose a Maine Coon if you want a velcro dog-cat who plays fetch and splashes in the sink.
Choose a Norwegian Forest Cat if you want a slightly more independent, regal climber who saves their affection for special moments.

Resources & Further Reading#

CFA Breed Comparison: Profile and Head Shape Illustrations.
TICA: Norwegian Forest Cat Breed Standard.