Toby’s Story: More Than a Winner
June 15, 2026
When we welcomed MaineStCoons Toe Be or Not Toe Be—better known as Toby—into the world, we had no way of knowing just how far his journey would take him.
What we did know was that he represented everything we value as preservation breeders: exceptional health, a gentle and confident temperament, and adherence to the written breed standard that has defined the Maine Coon for generations.
Today, Toby has achieved something few cats ever will.
He is a TICA International Winner, a two-time International Breed Winner, and was ranked among the Top 25 Cats of All Breeds Worldwide during the 2025-2026 show season.
To those outside the cat fancy, those titles may sound impressive. To those who understand the world of pedigreed cats, they represent years of dedication, extraordinary consistency, and a level of achievement that only a handful of cats attain.
What Is a TICA International Winner?
The International Winner title is not awarded by a single judge, a single show, or a single weekend of competition.
Over the course of an entire show season, cats compete under dozens of judges across many shows, often traveling thousands of miles and facing the finest examples of every recognized breed. Each ring is an independent evaluation conducted by a different judge, making consistency essential.
A cat cannot earn an International Win through a single standout performance. They must prove themselves again and again, under different judges, in different regions, against extraordinary competition.
Only a very small number of cats worldwide achieve this distinction each year.
To be ranked among the Top 25 Cats of All Breeds Worldwide means competing successfully against thousands of cats representing every breed recognized by TICA.
It is a remarkable accomplishment for any cat.
For a polydactyl Maine Coon, it is even more extraordinary.
The Challenge of Being Different
Polydactyl Maine Coons are not a modern invention. Extra toes are part of the breed’s history and were commonly found among the hardy cats that lived and worked along the New England coast.
Yet despite their historical significance, polydactyls have often faced an uphill battle in the show hall.
For many years, some breeders and exhibitors viewed polydactyls as a novelty rather than an important part of the breed’s heritage. While attitudes have improved dramatically, remnants of those old perceptions can still linger.
The reality is that a polydactyl cat cannot rely on extra toes to impress judges.
In fact, the opposite is often true.
To reach the very top levels of competition, a polydactyl must be exceptional in every other aspect of the breed standard.
The cat must possess outstanding type, balance, structure, boning, muzzle, profile, ear placement, coat quality, condition, and temperament. There is no room for weakness.
A great polydactyl does not win because of extra toes.
A great polydactyl wins because judges recognize excellence when they see it and it is of such quality it cannot be denied.
Toby’s success sends an important message: a historically correct polydactyl Maine Coon can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest cats in the world and be judged on merit alone.
What Toby Represents
While we are incredibly proud of the title Toby earned, the award itself is not what matters most.
Toby represents thoughtful breeding decisions, rigorous health testing, pedigree research, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to preserving the authentic American Maine Coon.He is proof that breeders do not have to choose between health, temperament, and beauty.
The best Maine Coons should embody all three.
Visitors who meet Toby are often struck first by his size and presence. What they remember most, however, is his personality. He is affectionate, confident, and deeply connected to people—the very qualities that have made Maine Coons beloved family companions around the world.
That temperament is every bit as important to us as his show record.
Looking Ahead
Toby’s International Winner title is a milestone we will always cherish, but it is not the end of his story.
More importantly, it is not the end of the story for the generations that will follow him.
Every preservation breeder hopes to leave the breed better than they found it. Toby represents our commitment to that goal and our belief that the future of the Maine Coon depends on protecting the traits that made the breed special in the first place: sound health, stable temperament, correct type, and respect for the breed’s rich history.
We are honored that judges around the world recognized those qualities in Toby.
But to us, he will always be what he has been from the very beginning:
A beloved member of our family, and one very special cat.
