The Norwegian Forest Cat (Norsk Skaukatt) is a natural breed that figures prominently in Norwegian folklore. It is said that these longhaired, large and fearsome cats (a close relative of the Lynx) were carried on Vikings' shoulders as they rode into battle, to scratch and claw enemies. The Norsemen respected them very much, and legends say that the cats were taken on their voyages, which might explain their resemblance to the American Maine Coon breed.