Minuet Cat Breed: The Baby-Faced Lilliputian

The breed is still in its early stages of development, but it is officially recognized by TICA.

The Minuet, previously known as Napoleon, is the offspring of a Persian and a Munchkin. It inherited its short legs from the latter, but in all other aspects, it closely resembles the Persian and its close relative, the Exotic Shorthair.

History of the Minuet

The story of the Minuet began on June 12, 1995, with an article in the Wall Street Journal about the Munchkin breed. After reading the article, Joe Smith was immediately captivated by this short-legged cat. As a long-time breeder of Basset Hounds, Smith was drawn to the trait of short legs. He soon discovered that, unlike in dogs, the short-legged gene in cats is not fully dominant. Even when two short-legged cats are bred, about 50% of their offspring will have long legs and will not carry the short-legged gene. While these long-legged cats are valuable and beautiful, without short legs, they resemble any other domestic cat. Smith felt compelled to create a breed that would exhibit unique, purebred characteristics in both short- and long-legged forms.

Fortunately, Smith had a close friendship with Persian breeder Deb Kenny. During discussions with her, the idea arose to cross Persians with Munchkins, specifically the entire Persian group, including the Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and Persian. This new breed would then have a wide color palette and both long- and short-haired varieties. The result was indeed a new breed: short-legged, with a plush coat and round features, but free of the extreme facial traits of the Persian. (Instead of the flat-faced “peke-face” Persians, the breed was developed with “doll-face” Persians, which have a longer nose.) The first litter arrived in late 1997.

A Controversial Breed

If there’s a cat breed that could embody the saying “good things never come easy,” it would be the Minuet, according to its fans. From the beginning, the breed faced controversy due to both its Persian and Munchkin ancestry. Many people were suspicious, and some were outraged. However, breeders ensured that the development path was strictly recorded in TICA’s “Registration Classification,” referring to it as a hybrid breed.

Hybrid cat breed: A new breed resulting from the crossbreeding of two existing domestic breeds, incorporating characteristics from both parent breeds.

The breed was known by its original name until 2015, encountering much resistance. That year, TICA voted to change its name. Despite the criticism, breeders persevered and gained the support of key TICA figures like Solveig Pflueger and Gloria Stephens. Pflueger, the head of genetics at TICA, played a major role in helping the breed achieve full registration status. Stephens, TICA’s judging administrator and the author of several bestselling cat books, provided expert assistance in drafting the breed’s first standard. By 2006, the breed was known worldwide, and its popularity continues to grow.

Breed Standard of the Minuet

The first thing you’ll notice about the breed is, of course, its short legs. (In litters, the kittens born with short legs are considered “standards,” while those with long legs are “non-standards.” Though equally beautiful and valuable, the latter cannot yet compete in shows.) If one word were to describe the Minuet, it would undoubtedly be “round.” The head is typically rounded, with large, round eyes, crowned by small, rounded ears. The nose and muzzle are short, with a slight slope blending into the forehead when viewed in profile. While the breed is low in stature, it is by no means miniature. An average adult weighs around 3-3.5 kg. The Minuet has a solid, strong bone structure that gives it a robust appearance. Its coat, though not as long as a Persian’s, is abundant and dense, available in both long- and short-haired varieties. It is accepted in any color.

The Character of the Minuet

The Minuet is a charming, highly affectionate, and people-oriented cat. It combines the gentleness of the Persian with the energetic, curious nature of the Munchkin. Its large eyes and sweet face exude innocence, but don’t be fooled! Its curiosity and playfulness can easily get this adorable creature into trouble. Although gentle, it is also quite independent. On its short legs, it can maneuver at breathtaking speed around the house, and its low center of gravity is an advantage—like a little F1 racer.

The Ideal Environment for Minuet

While the Minuet’s activity level is closer to that of a Persian, this doesn’t mean it spends all day napping on the couch. It is playful and lively, requiring interaction and opportunities to satisfy its natural instincts. Thanks to its affectionate, people-oriented nature, the Minuet can fit into almost any household, making it an ideal companion for both the elderly and children.

Caring for the Minuet

The Minuet’s plush coat, whether long- or short-haired, has an undercoat. It may not be as thick or heavy as the Persian’s, but the quality of the fur can vary by individual. Grooming is relatively easy, but daily or every-other-day brushing with a steel comb is necessary to prevent matting and tangling, especially around the joints and behind the ears. Bathing may be optional depending on the environment, but a Minuet with a thicker coat, especially a long-haired one, should be introduced to bathing and drying from a young age.

As with any cat, regular cleaning of the eyes and ears is necessary, and daily or every-other-day tooth brushing should become a routine. Always feed your pet the highest quality food you can afford, rich in protein and appropriate for its age and condition. Ensure fresh water is always available, and clean the litter box daily.

Common Health Problems of Minuet

The Minuet has an average lifespan of over 15 years. Overall, it is considered a healthy breed. However, due to its Persian background, every cat should come with a certification that its parents have been tested and cleared for PKD (polycystic kidney disease). When purchasing a kitten, also ensure that the parents do not have excessively watery eyes or overly constricted nasal passages.